Dandruff. Just the very word makes many people unhappy...and itchy. While the causes of dandruff are varied -- and in many cases, controllable -- there are some very simple remedies you can try to relieve it that don't cost an arm and a leg. Unless there's a medical reason for your dandruff, regular treatment with one or more of these methods should get you some relief from this unsightly, mildly annoying hair problem.
Dandruff is often caused by a dry scalp, not an oily one like many people assume. You might think that if your scalp is dry, shampooing less often is the cure for it, but that's not the case. Exposing your scalp regularly to water is the best way to keep it moisturized. Just making a simple change like increasing the frequency of shampooing may be enough to make a difference in the amount of dandruff you get. To get the full benefits of shampooing, it's important to focus on cleansing the scalp moreso than the hair. This means using the pads of your fingers on your head to completely wash away buildup and natural oils, letting the motion of the water do most of the work in getting any lather through your hair. If you currently shampoo less often than once per week, try cleansing at least every 7-10 days -- and stick to it. Getting into the habit of regular cleansing may help relieve your dandruff.More »
Apple cider vinegar is a product many of us stock in our kitchens. This inexpensive staple is a real multi-tasker, including being an effective dandruff fighter. There are several ways you can use ACV in a mixture, but the easiest is to dilute it heavily in water. One part ACV to four parts water is a simple formula (example: 1/4 cup ACV in one cup of water). Apply it to wet hair, rubbing it gently into your scalp and let it sit for up to half an hour. Rinse with clean water. You can use an ACV rinse about once per week. If you notice your hair drying out, reduce the ACV ratio or rinse less often. Don't worry about the strong scent of vinegar lingering in your hair once it's rinsed out. Surprisingly, the smell quickly goes away once you wash the vinegar away with water.More »
In case vinegar rinses are too harsh or you prefer another option, tea rinses may be able to provide some relief. You can use tea bags or fresh herbs. Tea should be brewed so that it's strong (about 10 minutes of steeping) and then applied after a shampoo and/or condition. This doesn't have to be rinsed out. Good teas to try for dandruff relief include green, rosemary or sage.
In case your dandruff isn't caused by excessive oil on your scalp, you can try gentle scalp massage with natural oils to see if it helps. When choosing oils, jojoba is one of the best options because this oil closely resembles the scalp's sebum. You can also try coconut oil, a favorite among many for more than just hair care. Incorporating a few drops of tea tree essential oil into a carrier oil (like jojoba, coconut, grapeseed, etc.) can provide additional relief as well since tea tree oil fights many types of bacteria and can cut through oily blockage on your scalp.More »
Head & Shoulders works for a lot of people, but let's face it, it wasn't designed to be gentle on hair, especially black hair. You have other cleansers designed to fight dandruff, like Kenra Professional Dandruff Shampoo or Jason Tea Tree Scalp Normalizing Shampoo. Still, it's probably best to alternate a dandruff-fighting cleanser with a more gentle one. Always follow up an anti-dandruff shampoo with plenty of moisturizing conditioner and/or a deep conditioner.
1. Choose a Shampoo Regimen
Dandruff is often caused by a dry scalp, not an oily one like many people assume. You might think that if your scalp is dry, shampooing less often is the cure for it, but that's not the case. Exposing your scalp regularly to water is the best way to keep it moisturized. Just making a simple change like increasing the frequency of shampooing may be enough to make a difference in the amount of dandruff you get. To get the full benefits of shampooing, it's important to focus on cleansing the scalp moreso than the hair. This means using the pads of your fingers on your head to completely wash away buildup and natural oils, letting the motion of the water do most of the work in getting any lather through your hair. If you currently shampoo less often than once per week, try cleansing at least every 7-10 days -- and stick to it. Getting into the habit of regular cleansing may help relieve your dandruff.More »
2. Try an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Apple cider vinegar is a product many of us stock in our kitchens. This inexpensive staple is a real multi-tasker, including being an effective dandruff fighter. There are several ways you can use ACV in a mixture, but the easiest is to dilute it heavily in water. One part ACV to four parts water is a simple formula (example: 1/4 cup ACV in one cup of water). Apply it to wet hair, rubbing it gently into your scalp and let it sit for up to half an hour. Rinse with clean water. You can use an ACV rinse about once per week. If you notice your hair drying out, reduce the ACV ratio or rinse less often. Don't worry about the strong scent of vinegar lingering in your hair once it's rinsed out. Surprisingly, the smell quickly goes away once you wash the vinegar away with water.More »
3. Try a Tea Rinse
In case vinegar rinses are too harsh or you prefer another option, tea rinses may be able to provide some relief. You can use tea bags or fresh herbs. Tea should be brewed so that it's strong (about 10 minutes of steeping) and then applied after a shampoo and/or condition. This doesn't have to be rinsed out. Good teas to try for dandruff relief include green, rosemary or sage.
4. Massage Your Scalp With an Oil
In case your dandruff isn't caused by excessive oil on your scalp, you can try gentle scalp massage with natural oils to see if it helps. When choosing oils, jojoba is one of the best options because this oil closely resembles the scalp's sebum. You can also try coconut oil, a favorite among many for more than just hair care. Incorporating a few drops of tea tree essential oil into a carrier oil (like jojoba, coconut, grapeseed, etc.) can provide additional relief as well since tea tree oil fights many types of bacteria and can cut through oily blockage on your scalp.More »
5. Use a Dandruff Shampoo -- Sparingly
Head & Shoulders works for a lot of people, but let's face it, it wasn't designed to be gentle on hair, especially black hair. You have other cleansers designed to fight dandruff, like Kenra Professional Dandruff Shampoo or Jason Tea Tree Scalp Normalizing Shampoo. Still, it's probably best to alternate a dandruff-fighting cleanser with a more gentle one. Always follow up an anti-dandruff shampoo with plenty of moisturizing conditioner and/or a deep conditioner.