Home remedies to get rid of dandruff

Home remedies to get rid of dandruff (Photo: iStock)

Dandruff is a flaky, scaly menace that at least 50 per cent of people will experience at some point in their lives. Your scalp will feel itchy and irritated and you will have noticeable patches of dry skin, which is actually the main symptom that bothers most people with this problem.

The process of getting rid of dandruff can seem extremely stressful because it can sometimes be difficult to treat. One of the first instincts is to rush out and buy a dandruff shampoo or some medicated products.

Although these will work, you also have the option of trying home remedies that are just as effective. The other advantages of these remedies are the extra benefits they can add to your hair as well. There are several home remedies that can give you the results you want, including these five:

• Tea tree oil

Natural oils like tea trees are known to have amazing benefits for hair. It's very effective when treating scalp conditions like dandruff especially because of its strong antifungal and antiseptic properties.

This means it will be able to effectively reduce dandruff as well as protect your scalp to block further infections. There are many ways you can use tea tree oil like mixing a few drops with a carrier oil such as olive oil and massaging it into your scalp before shampooing.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV has been a popular haircare solution for people looking to take their hair and scalp health to the next level. It's an amazing cleanser and pH restorer, no wonder it's also a good solution for mild dandruff cases.

You could use it as a rinse by first diluting equal parts of the vinegar with water, and then pouring it on a clean scalp. Massage it in for a few minutes and leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This is something you should do sparingly so once a month should be just about right.

• Aloe Vera

Rarely does Aloe Vera fail. It doesn't just tackle the dandruff itself, but also the other irritating symptoms like itchiness.

What you need is the sap so you should extract the sap, apply it on your scalp, massage for a few minutes and leave it on for 20 minutes. Follow up by shampooing your hair with a gentle shampoo.

• Green tea

Green tea comes with double benefits because it helps reduce stress, is a dandruff aggravator and treats the dandruff.

For your scalp, you could brew a cup and let it cool before spraying it directly onto your scalp. Massage and leave it on for 10 minutes before shampooing.

• Lifestyle changes

A key home remedy you need to embrace is lifestyle adjustments, especially in your diet. A diet full of excess sugar, alcohol and processed foods will worsen dandruff, making other solutions less effective. Limit these foods, and eat a balanced diet with more zinc-rich options.

It would also help to find more coping mechanisms to deal with stress because there is a connection between worsening dandruff and stress.