Dandruff Solutions

Are your shoulders looking like you have just experienced a blizzard, then you need to check your hair for dandruff. Totally uncool, itchy and a complete social no-no, it can be easily cleared. So here are some simple dandruff solutions to make you all clear and beautiful.

Dandruff is not life threatening but definitely irritating. Those flaky bits of white skin covering your shirt collar or the back of your neck certainly will not improve your image. The hair loses its sheen and there is an intense itchy feeling leading to hair fall. Let’s find out how to deal with dandruff as we bring dandruff solutions for the perfect hair.

Facts about Dandruff

Dandruff affects all age groups and is seen in both summer and winter seasons. Dandruff starts with scaling of the uppermost layers. Gradually, there is intense itching of the scalp. Later there is redness around the follicles and well defined patches.

Types of Dandruff

Dandruff is of two types—dry and greasy. Dry dandruff appears silvery and white, while greasy dandruff appear pale yellowish and may have an unpleasant smell. Dry dandruff occurs usually in cold weather and greasy flakes in warm temperature. In infants, dandruff usually begins in the third to eight week as greasy scaling in the scalp, which is generally referred to as ‘cradle cap.’ Luckily there is hardly any itching in it.

Cause of Dandruff

There can be many different causes of dandruff. Perspiration and emotional stress are thought to be one of the causes of dandruff. Also food allergy may also be another cause of dandruff. Hormonal factors may trigger dandruff. Other presumed factors are increased sugar consumption, vitamin B malnutrition, biotin deficiency. Factors such as stress or a bad diet may also trigger dandruff. A dry scalp may be due to protein deficiency in the diet and a greasy scalp, due to over production of sebum or oil producing flaking on the scalp.

Solutions for the Scalp

Herbal shampoos with aloe vera and lemon are much in use as are different anti dandruff shampoos containing either ketaconazole or selenium sulphide. Stimulation of the scalp using UV lights is also tried in some cases.

Home Remedies for Dandruff

Hot oil: a hot oil massage helps to nourish dry skin follicle. Take warm coconut oil and apply on the scalp by parting rows of hair. Massage your palm and finger tips for 10 minutes. You can add two drops of rosemary oil to the regular oil. Follow it up with steaming with a hot water towel. Leave the oil on your hair overnight and shampoo the next morning. Do it once a fortnight.

Egg yoghurt pack: a mixture of egg yolk and sour yoghurt nourishes hair and restores oil balance of the scalp. Apply this mixture on the scalp for half and hour and then rinse and shampoo.

Lemon magic: add a pinch of black pepper to a tablespoon of lemon juice and mix. Massage it on your scalp before shampooing.

Fenugreek power: soak two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds overnight in water and grind into a fine paste. Apply this paste all over your scalp and leave it for a couple of minutes. Wash thoroughly with soap nut solution.

Snake gourd solution: the juice of snake gourd has been found extremely beneficial in the prevention and treatment of dandruff. Rub this juice regularly onto your scalp.