Dandruff is known as the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. As skin cells die, a small amount of flaking is normal; about 487,000 cells/cm2 are released normally after detergent treatment.
Dandruff happens when the pH of the scalp gets disturbed leading to an increase in shedding of the scalp skin. In normal people,these flakes are too small to be visible. Whereas in people with dandruff, skin cells may mature and shed in 2-7 days as compared to a month in people without dandruff.
There can be several causes for dandruff, few are as belows ;
- Dry skin
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Shampooing too often
- Not enough cleaning or scrubbing
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Sensitivity to hair products
- Yeast like fungus ( malasezzia)
There are lot of natural and medicinal ways to get rid of Dandruff. Here are a few natural ways which can save you a ton of money and hassle.
YOGURT
Apply half a cup of yogurt (or depending on the thickness of your hair) to your scalp overnight. Wash it in the morning with cold water and mild shampoo. Yogurt effectively regularizes the pH of the scalp and gets rid of dandruff in no time. In addition, it conditions your hair, leaving it smooth and easier to manage. Do this treatment for a few days and you will be amazed by the results.
HENNA
Make a thick paste of henna powder with water with a tbsp of olive/coconut oil and apply it your scalp. Leave it for a couple hours. Beware of black henna because it can cause allergic reaction due to the presence of harsh chemicals. Leave it for a couple hours. Wash your hair with a regular shampoo. Getting your hands on fresh henna leaves will give you the added benefit.
Henna does not only normalize the pH of the scalp, it soothes the skin and provides a cooling and calming effect. In addition, it will give your hair a wonderful natural shade without having to spend a fortune on hair dyes.
OLIVE OIL
Add a tbsp of lemon juice to couple of tbsps of olive oil. Massage it onto your scalp and work it down to the tips of your hair. Keep massaging your scalp for 10-15 minutes and leave it overnight. Wash your hair in the morning with a mild shampoo.
TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil is known for its excellent antifungal and anti inflammatory properties. Not only will it get you rid of the dandruff, it provides a soothing effect to your scalp. Add few drops of tea tree oil with a few tbsps of olive oil and massage onto your scalp for 10 to 15 minutes . Leave it overnight. You can increase the amount of tea tree oil if your dandruff is severe.
Wash your hair in the morning with a mild shampoo.