10 Remedies To Cure & Control Dandruff

Have you ever met with instances of white flakes lying effortlessly on your black blazer?

Or a sudden urge to itch your scalp amidst an important meeting? If your answer is yes, then congrats you’ve dandruff! Well no, I’m just being sarcastic. I know dandruff is a sight of embarrassment, acne and hair fall. It might as well affect your confidence levels.

Dandruff is caused due to the dry scalp or a skin condition called Seborrheic Dermatitis. It may also be caused due to skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis or a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia. Some general causes include oily hair, poor hair brushing, not shampooing regularly, poor diet, stress, etc. In my opinion, one should consider spending money at the salon only if he/ she have tried everything at home.

It isn’t very serious condition however it has still managed to affect almost half the population irrespective of gender, age or race. So ditch those anti-dandruff shampoos and try these natural remedies to get rid of dandruff:

1. Aloe Vera

One of the easiest tricks to get rid of itchy scalp is rubbing aloe vera leaf. Keep an aloe vera plant in your kitchen, pluck a leaf, cut it out from the middle and extract the gel from within. Rub the gel on your scalp before shampooing your hair. The cooling effects of aloe vera will soothe your scalp and eradicate dandruff.

2. Garlic

Garlic is a quintessential staple in an Indian kitchen. It may have a pungent smell but has antifungal and antibacterial properties which make it hard to overlook its medicinal properties. It can act amazingly to destroy the stubborn dandruff flakes. Grind few chopped pieces of garlic along with water. Make it into a fine paste and apply it to the scalp 15 minutes prior shampooing. To avoid the smell, you can add honey to the paste.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Many people aren’t aware of the magic tea tree oil possesses. A tea tree oil has multiple properties like anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Due to this, it helps relieve your dry, itchy scalp and improves the severity of dandruff. Take 3 drops of tea tree oil and mix it with 1 tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil. Massage the oil properly on your scalp, rinse with water before shampooing the hair. Dab a bit of tea tree oil on unwanted oil and watch it dry out overnight.

4. Aspirin

Though it is not a natural remedy, it works to get rid of dandruff. Aspirin contains an active ingredient called salicylates. It is present in most of the dandruff shampoo containing salicylic acid. Take two aspirins and crush them into a fine powder. Add the same to the shampoo each time you wash your hair. Let the mixture be for 1-2 minutes, rinse well and wash again with plain shampoo.

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda is not only good for baking cookies but also acts as a powerful disinfectant. Baking soda acts as a scrub and helps in exfoliating the scalp. When your scalp isn’t exfoliated, there is no build-up of flakes which make dandruff more visible. Its anti-fungal properties help soothe the scalp, reduce redness and itching.

Make a paste of baking soda (2 tablespoons) with water and apply on your scalp. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes, then rinse well. You can also add it to your shampoo or mix with few drops of olive oil. Repeat this at least once or twice a week to ensure best results.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is another amazing remedy for dandruff. It has anti-inflammatory properties that have the power to kill viruses and yeast that is responsible for itchiness on the skin. Dilute 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with ½ cup of water. Apply the solution on the scalp by dabbing the solution with a cotton ball. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and rinse well. Make sure the vinegar is the pure one.

7. Lemon

Now your dandruff relief is present just two minutes away from you. Lemon has antiseptic properties, and that is why it stings on a cut. Lemon has acidity which helps balance the pH of the scalp, relieves itchy dry scalp and prevents dandruff. Squeeze out 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and mix it into 1 cup of water. Rinse your hair using this water. You can also rub fresh lemon juice directly on the scalp; let it be for 5 minutes and rinse.

8. Indian lilac/Neem 

Indian lilac is known by the name of Neem in India. Neem is a popular age-old remedy used to treat skin ailments. It holds antibacterial and antifungal properties. Since dandruff is caused due to the fungal colonization of scalp; using neem is the right thing to do.

Take a bunch of neem leaves and grind them to form a paste. Boil the neem in water as the concentrated version may irritate the skin. Apply the paste to scalp and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with water and repeat for best results.

9. Mouthwash

Again, here is a simple remedy to treat dandruff using mouthwash. Most of us wash our mouth with mouthwash being cautious about dental health. Mouthwash has anti-fungal properties which prevent the yeast (causing dandruff) from growing. After you wash your hair with shampoo, rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash.

10. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the ‘tried and true’ dandruff remedies for treating dandruff. It nourishes your hair and prevents your scalp from getting extra dry. Massage your scalp one hour before you go for hair wash. Wash it off normally. You can add yogurt or lemon juice to coconut oil and make it into a mixture. Apply the same to your scalp and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Rinse it well.

Follow these natural remedies to get rid of dandruff and be sure to use them religiously. Also, make sure that you use an anti-dandruff treatment that suits you best instead of trying various treatments.