10 Expert Recommended Dandruff Remedies

So, you are looking to remove dandruff and want expert remedies for it? You’ve come to the right place. But before we start on how to treat dandruff at home, let’s understand why it is caused and why should you look at treating it.

Your Itchy Scalp Might Be Telling You Something

Those embarrassing flakes on your shoulder and that constantly itching scalp is pointing to one thing - Malassezia globosa.

To give some background, there is a substance secreted by your scalp called “sebum”. It provides moisturization and gives your scalp nourishment all while protecting your hair and its follicles from outside particles that might cause damage.

Along with sebum, a fungus by the name of Malassezia globosa also resides on your scalp. Although a harmless microbe by itself, it converts the sebum to oleic acid. If your body is allergic to Oleic Acid, you’re going to have a dandruff problem.

How To Treat Dandruff At Home?

Hydration

The essential liquid required to keep us alive and breathing is also our first line of defence when it comes to treating dandruff. Ample amount of water flowing through your body keeps it moisturized and helps the blood reach your scalp. Because of hydration, you also reduce the number of flakes on your scalp, thereby decreasing the appearance of dandruff.

Avoid scratching

When dry scalp gets intense you might be tempted to scratch and calm it down. However, experts suggest otherwise. Scratching on your scalp only aggravates the issue and increases the number of dry flakes on your scalp, thereby making it harder for you to remove dandruff. It just leads to a vicious cycle that ends nowhere.

Relax

Stress has been proven to worsen the itching problem for a lot of individuals. While Malassezia is not introduced to your scalp by stress, it can breed and multiply if you let your immunity guard down. Log off from your daily tasks every once in a while, and go for a walk or play with your pet. That will help you calm your nerves down and you’ll also do your scalp a favour.

Use a good anti-dandruff shampoo

When it comes to dandruff home remedies to treat your itchy scalp, the trusted choice should always be given the priority. For effective dandruff prevention, it’s best to stick to just one shampoo, preferably an anti-dandruff shampoo such as Head & Shoulders. While researching for a good shampoo, make sure that its main ingredient is selenium sulphide, an antifungal that helps in reducing dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. You can add a conditioner post if you are looking for an added shine or strength.

For severe cases, start by using an anti-dandruff shampoo everyday but cut it down to 2-3 times a week once the symptoms start to subside.

Cover

Make sure to cover your head with a hat or a scarf whenever you step out. While this may not be a treatment, it is great for preventing and stopping the growth of flakes. While dandruff is a result of resident microbe present on your scalp, outside dirt and impurities might give you an itching problem, resulting in flakes.

Yeast Inflammation

One compound that is known to increase dandruff is yeast. The prevalence of yeast, not only on your scalp but also in the gastronomical tracts, can impact your dandruff problems. Consuming food that helps reduce the yeast inflammation in your digestive tracts can go a long way in curbing your dandruff issues.

Improper diet

Usually, reducing the intake of white rice, certain dairy products, alcohol, sugar, pasta, bread, peanuts, etc helps in fighting yeast multiplication. You can also include fresh vegetables, meat, whole grains and fish in your diet to reduce the inflammation in your stomach. After consulting your dietician, you can also look at using probiotics to ease the damage wreaked on your stomach.

Essentials Oils

Proper oiling at regular intervals is very important, if you are looking to prevent dandruff or are looking for a dry flaky scalp treatment.

Experts recommend using tea tree or neem oil to use during your massages. As a bonus to their superior nourishment, they also act as a great Seborrheic Dermatitis scalp treatment.

Hair Masks

If a home dandruff solution is what you are looking for, better arm yourselves with a hair mask while masking your scalp as well. Experts recommend using masks that are made of ingredients like Apple Cider vinegar and Aloe Vera, as their natural soothing properties calm your scalp.

Sun time

If your work permits, try to spend at least 30 mins out in the sun. Early morning time is preferred, as it is also the time air is fresh and helps in controlling your stress and tension.

When you start a home dandruff remedy, try sticking to one program for at least 28 days. Along side using a good anti-bacterial and anti-fungal shampoo like Head & Shoulders, try to keep your anxiety levels low and follow a proper diet.

Will The Dandruff Ever Come Back?

At its core, dandruff is a problem that originates from your scalp because your skin is allergic to Oleic Acid. Because of this, the chances of permanently bidding adieu to dandruff seems distant.

However, it doesn’t mean you can’t use dandruff home remedies and save yourself from the embarrassment that comes with dry skin and flakes.

To start with, follow a strict schedule of washing your hair at least every alternate day with a shampoo having an antifungal ingredient like selenium sulphide. Unless it’s a rare case, you’ll start to notice visible reduction in flakes by the end of week 1. If the trend continues, feel free to reduce your dependency on the shampoo to about 2-3 times a week, as it is a clear sign that the dandruff remedies are working.

Even though the struggle to get rid of dandruff might seem like a mammoth task, just stick to the schedule. While questions like dandruff treatment at home are not exactly fun to deal with.

But the Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 range is the perfect dandruff solution for it because its main ingredient and the fighting power Zinc Pyrithione. It helps fight the flakes and remove dandruff causing germ. So, make the right choice for your scalp and hair because nourishment of hair begins from the scalp itself!