Dandruff is essentially a sign of the skin cells on your scalp abnormally multiplying and scaling off. This condition could be due to a lot off factors like a diet deficient in certain necessary nutrients, inadequate hair care or even a stressful lifestyle. Going by the fact that you wash your hair every four to five days, the cause is most likely to be the lack of hygiene in the scalp. Your scalp needs a hygienic environment to stay healthy and washing your hair everyday is a prerequisite if you have a dandruff problem. If you let your hair remain unwashed for as long as four days, the grime and accumulated dust and dirt on the scalp wreak havoc on its skin cells and aggravates the dandruff problem. Also, four days of letting your hair stay unwashed prevents removal of already dead skin cells thus further aggravating the condition.

Thus, needless to say, for you, the first step is to maintain a healthy environment for your scalp. Wash your hair and scalp thoroughly everyday using a shampoo as well as a conditioner. When choosing these hair care products, make sure you avoid the ones with a harsh chemical composition. Herbal based shampoos and conditioners are usually the best. Use lukewarm water to wash your hair. This will aid in removing dead skin cells from the scalp. Always pat dry your hair using a soft towel after washing it. Fenugreek seeds are a highly recommended cure to get rid of dandruff. Soak two or three tablespoons of fenugreek seeds overnight and grind them into a fine paste the next morning. Now apply this paste all over your scalp and leave it on for an hour before washing it off with lukewarm water and a mild soap. This treatment will visibly reduce the dandruff in the span of a few days.

Lime juice is another excellent remedy to fight dandruff. Add a teaspoon of fresh lime juice to the water before washing your hair everyday to prevent dandruff. A mixture of apple cider vinegar with water is also said to be extremely effective in fighting dandruff. Mix a half cup of apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water and pour the mixture into a sprayer. Now spray the mixture all over your hair, especially the scalp and hair roots. Now wrap your hair in a towel and leave it on for at least an hour before rinsing it off. Repeat this treatment at least twice a week to produce visible results.

Hair care.

Dandruff becomes more of problem for those who have dark hair. Dandruff is less visible in light hair since it the color masks the presence of the dry flakes. But those with dark hair need to grapple with this problem, day in and day out. Some times dandruff becomes so serious that it forms scales and causes itching. Scratching can lead to flakes that fall all over your shoulders and can cause a lot of embarrassment. It can also causes small rashes to appear on your forehead, increasing the agony that one goes through.

Dandruff may be classified as severe and light. There are not many options to choose from types of dandruff treatment. In cases of a light dandruff, washing your hair with a good quality dandruff shampoo once or twice a week, should work well for removing dandruff.

Severe dandruff is a different ball game altogether. Severe dandruff requires washing your hair with a dandruff shampoo daily. However, such extensive use of shampoo every day of the week tends to make hair dry and weak, leading to further problems.

Choosing the right shampoo that would suit your hair is not a big deal. You simply have to try one or more dandruff shampoo brands available in the market to decide which one suits you the best.

As extensive use of shampoo tends to harm your hair in different ways, it is better to use a good quality conditioner after every shampoo. This should keep your hair healthy and strong. Another way is to use a moisturizing shampoo after the dandruff shampoo and then use a good conditioner a couple of times a month. This too will keep dandruff away.

Vitamins too are said to be helpful in keeping your hair free of dandruff. You may use vitamins for some time and see if they improve the condition of the skin on your head or not. Even if they do not, a restricted use of vitamins is not going to do any harm and may help in making your hair look healthy, if nothing else.

If over the counter shampoos do not prove to be a good dandruff treatment in your case, a visit to the physician is called for. He may recommend some prescription shampoos which may not be available off the shelf. These are specially made shampoos that are meant for dandruff treatment. Make sure to follow the instructions of the doctor meticulously.
Whatever dandruff treatment you choose, try not to let your hair become dry and brittle. That may become a bigger problem than dandruff.

Ayurvedic herbal oils
Herbal hair oils are one of the most standard hair treatments. Hair oils moisturize scalp, reverse dry scalp and dry hair conditions and provide numerous essential nutrients required to maintain normal functions of sebaceous glands promoting natural hair growth.

Hair oils have been used to treat irritated stressed scalp, reduce effect of aging on hair shape and growth, combat seborrhea and alopecia. Herbal oils work as nutritional support for natural skin healing and hair growth processes.

Anti-dandruff oils are made using various types of ingredients mostly herbs are used. When it comes to anti-dandruff first thing that comes to most minds is Ayurvedic herbal hair oils. Ayurveda as has come up with a highly effective combination of Neem (Margosa), Kapoor (naphthalene) and coconut oil.

Coconut oil is traditionally used to promote healthy hair growth, whereas neem as having anti fungal and anti bacterial properties fights dandruff, soothes itching and nourishes hair roots. Few herbal oil contain Wrightia tinctoria (Sweet Indrajao, Hyamaraka) highly effective herb on scalp and skin disorders, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary, Rusmari) to treat dandruff & other scalp infections. Melaleuca leucodendron (Tea Tree, Kayaputi) are also added because of their anti bacterial, anti fungal, antiseptic & antidandruff properties.

Tea tree hair oil
Tea tree hair oil is one the most popular and preferred hair oil to treat dandruff. Since one of the major reasons of dandruff is bacteria tree tea hair oil is most effective on it because of its natural antiseptic, bactericide and fungicide with anaesthetic properties. This oil provides optimal hygiene for daily hair care strengthening ad defending you hair from all kinds of skin and scalp problems.

Aromatherapy anti-dandruff hair oil
Aromatherapy is being used extensively in recent times to get rid of dandruff. There are various aromatherapy anti-dandruff hair oils that are made using special blends of plant oils and herbal extracts that not only nourish the hairs but also make them strong to fight dandruff. These oils are available in combination of different herbs, providing distinct aroma.

Use of oil has been a traditional method for getting rid of dandruff. Using anti-dandruff hair oils, which are combinations of different medicinal herbs, can effectively prevent dandruff more effectively.

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1. Ingredients you need to fight dandruff are curd, honey and lemon. Take two tablespoons of curd, three drops of honey and three drops of lemon juice. Now, mix all the ingredients, and apply to your scalp, leave on for 15-20 minutes, then massage for 10 minutes. Wash well with warm water. This process aids better blood circulation and exfoliates the scalp from building dead skin.

2. Coconut oil therapy- apply warm coconut oil in your hairs massage for 15 minutes, then take warm shower to get rid of dandruff. Massage can do wonders to your hair, it helps to make your hair look lustrous and shiny, and the optimized oil levels can keep the scalp nourished. Generally, it takes two treatments for the dandruff itch to disappear.

3. Canadian home remedy- scrub baby oil to the entire head in the evening, wrap your head with a towel and leave it on until next morning then shampoo with warm water. Keep using baby oil daily until you won over dandruff.

4. Thyme leaves- boil 4 to 5 leaves in two cups of water for 10 minutes. Let it cool for few minutes then scrub this mixture to your scalp and leave on for 30 minutes then rinse and shampoo with warm water.

Natural home remedies are best treatment and prevention for dandruff. But, if you suffer from severe dandruff problems it is best to consult dermatologist.

Even though there are tons of remedies for dandruff, the more common treatment is dandruff-control shampoo. Do note that dandruff can be controlled but it cannot be cured.

Dandruff is a condition whereby the scalp surface has a rapid increase in cells. The older cells are replaced, so the oldest topmost layer of cells becomes dead and is shed off as flakes of skin.

Neutrogena, Head and Shoulders, and Selsun Blue have very well-known dandruff shampoos that you can find at your local drug store or super market. These should be the first resource if you are experiencing dandruff.

If the shampoos do not work, then you probably need to visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist can determine your dandruff problem and provide you a prescription.

There are many natural remedy that help to alleviate dandruff problem. It would be a good idea to further explore natural dandruff remedies before you start applying them. You should try to meet up with your dermatologist. In addition, ensure that you don’t have any allergic reactions to any of the natural ingredients.

One of the common natural remedies that I’ve come across is Tea Tree oil. Tea tree oil is present in many dandruff shampoos.

You can also try washing your hair with apple cider vinegar.

In short, there are many ways to control dandruff and that includes those from over the counter. Other items you may need to get from your doctor. Still yet, you can also try natural remedies to see if you get some relief. So do not let dandruff hold you down. It can be easily treated with the many remedies available currently.

Dandruff is due to the excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Dandruff can happen at any age but is most commonly found in people between the ages of 12 and 80. Dandruff is not an organism like lice; it is just dead skin that accumulates in the scalp. Dandruff is unlikely to be the cause of hair loss. Dandruff is a global phenomenon and many people find that dandruff can cause social or self-esteem problems. Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. A dark shirt and dandruff just simply don’t go together! There is nothing more embarrassing than to have someone brush white flakes off your new black sweater or denim jacket. In the past ten years dandruff problems in the United States have become more serious and more frequent. In a normal scalp, the process of sloughing off old cells and manufacturing of their replacements is very orderly and complete. In the dandruff scalp, there is mass disorder and often the departing cells are not dead before leaving the scalp.

Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. Dandruff mostly occurs after puberty, usually between the ages of 20 and 30, and affects males more than females. Dry skin. Simple dry skin — the kind you get in winter when the air is cold and rooms are overheated — is by far the most common cause of itchy, flaking skin. Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition, a frequent cause of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis affects not only your scalp but also other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits. Dandruff is the shedding of excessive amounts of dead skin flakes from the scalp.

People who actually have a dry scalp are also dry all over their skin. Some people say their dandruff gets worse when they are stress, anxiety and tension. Dandruff is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled, but dandruff treatment may take a little patience and persistence. Zinc pyrithione shampoos-These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione, which has been shown to reduce the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Age-Dandruff usually begins at puberty — about the same time as acne. It’s common throughout adolescence and young adulthood and peaks around age 40. Oily hair and scalp. Malassezia feeds on oils in your scalp. For that reason, having excessively oily skin and hair makes you more prone to dandruff. Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole. The antifungal properties of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) have been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff.

Dandruff Treatment Tips

1. Washing hair with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the dandruff and leaves hair feeling soft and clean.

2. Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Zinc pyrithione.

3. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.

4. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) have been reported as useful in the treatment of dandruff.

5. Selenium sulfide been reported as the most effective of the tested shampoos at treating dandruff.

6. Oral anti-fungals and oral antibiotics if your scalp becomes infected.

7. Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, keratolytics to remove thick scaly patches.

8. Nizoral Shampoo anti-fungal/anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredient Ketoconazole.

9. Tar containing shampoos are also used for treatment of dandruff.

10. Washing hair with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the dandruff and leaves hair feeling soft and clean.

How to get rid of dandruff.

There are many anti-dandruff shampoos on the market today that can get rid of dandruff, however the large number of strong and toxic chemicals contained in them can often do more harm than good, especially if you have a sensitive scalp or are allergic to any of the ingredients. Things like Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Formaldehyde, strong degreasers and disinfectants respectively, are regularly added to most shampoos on the market.

You should try to buy a natural shampoo which will nourish, moisturize and condition your scalp, and then add natural oils like Lavender or Rosemary to the shampoo to give it an extra boost. Shampoos which contain tea tree oil can be effective at treating dandruff, particularly if the dandruff is accompanied by itching and irritation.

Here I’m going to show you a simple homemade dandruff cure that you can try yourself – not only is it 100% natural, but you’ll also save some money too!

Fenugreek Seeds Homemade Dandruff Cure

Fenugreek seeds can be used as a simple homemade dandruff cure. Fenugreek (also known as Methi) is very popular in Indian cooking and the seeds can be purchased from most supermarkets and health stores these days. A 100 gram bag should cost you no more than $1.

* Take 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and soak overnight in water
* In the morning grind the soft seeds into a fine paste
* Apply this paste all over scalp and leave for half an hour
* Rinse off thoroughly with soap nut solution
* A teaspoon of lime juice on the last rinse will work wonders

Brushing your hair daily will help to disperse the dandruff and stimulate the circulation to your scalp. Regular massaging of the scalp before or after brushing can also stimulate the circulation and help to remove any flakiness caused by the dandruff.

Itchy Scalp Remedies.

When the cells of the scalp of the head excessively die and flake off, the condition is known as dandruff. Dandruff is easily visible as flakes present in the hair, most often accompanied by itchiness of the scalp. The itchiness can be mild or severe depending on the amount of dandruff that is present.

Though dandruff is mostly observed on the scalp of the head, it can also be present in the ears, eyebrows and the forehead. Medical science is still not clear why dandruff occurs, and why it is more prevalent in some people than in others. Some doctors indicate at dandruff being an infection of the yeast Pityrosporum ovale. There are also direct results proving that dandruff occurs due to the hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands of the scalp. Dandruff is aggravated by certain factors; so allergic causes can also be considered.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Dandruff

1. Alfalfa (Medicago satina)

The alfalfa has remarkable effect in the growth of hair. Its effects are much increased by the combination of carrots and lettuce with the alfalfa.

2. Ash Gourd (Benincasa hipsida)

The peel and the seeds of the ash gourd are very effective in the treatment of dandruff. Regular use can keep the scalp moist and livelier which will prevent dandruff.

3. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)

Fenugreek seeds have curative powers to reduce dandruff. They are softened in water and applied to the scalp every morning. After an hour or so, they are washed with soap nut. This keeps dandruff away and prevents falling hair.

4. Indian Hemp (Cannabis sativa)

The juice of the Indian hemp can reduce dandruff when it is applied directly over the scalp.

5. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary is an active ingredient of several head tonics and shampoos. It rejuvenates the scalp by keeping it moist and hence prevents dandruff. It is also used in the treatment of premature baldness.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Dandruff

If dandruff is caused due to some food allergy, then stopping the consumption of that food will directly eliminate the dandruff. Even if no particular allergy is identified, it is found that a healthy diet can keep the scalp healthy and thus reduce the chances of dandruff.

The following are some dietary guidelines that can be used to prevent or reduce dandruff:-

1. Milk, dairy products, sea foods, animal proteins and fatty foods are on the list of foods to be avoided for people with dandruff.

2. Vitamin C is not good for dandruff. Most sour tasting foods have vitamin C in them. Therefore, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, tamarind, etc. which contain acidic content, must be avoided.

3. Fresh vegetables and fruits must be included in the diet. Green vegetables have the best effects.

4. Fermented foods and baked products must be avoided. This includes breads, cheese, wine and all kinds of alcohol.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Dandruff

There are many Ayurvedic medicines that can be used for the treatment of dandruff.

1. For external application, Dudurpatradi tailam is prescribed.

2. Gandhaka Rasayana is used as an internal medicine for the treatment of dandruff.

3. Taking one teaspoonful of Brihat Haridra Khand in a glass of milk twice a day takes care of dandruff quite efficiently. Along with that, it also deepens the color of the hair.

4. Since dandruff can be due to the impurity of the blood, medicines must also be taken to purify the blood. In Ayurveda, Khadirarishta and Saribadyaasavam are taken for the purification of blood.

(4) Home Medications

1 One simple remedy – which is used by many people all over the world – is to make a paste of sandalwood oil with triple the amount of lemon juice and to apply it on the scalp when still fresh.

i. Prepare a gel of the leaves of aloe vera. Apply this on the scalp and leave it overnight. Next morning, wash it with a shampoo, preferably containing shikakai.

ii. Make regular use of a combination of olive oil and ginger root on the head. It will reduce the dandruff and nourish the hair at the roots.

iii. Make a mixture of ginger root and beetroot. Apply this on the scalp.

2. Apart from these remedies, there are several things one must do regarding head hygiene in order to reduce dandruff. These personal hygiene guidelines are:-

i. A daily bath is essential. Even if you do not shampoo your hair daily (if you are doing this, then remember to use a mild shampoo suited to your hair type), you must wash your scalp thoroughly. After the bath, dry your hair and then brush it in order to remove the flaky dandruff from it.

ii. Keep your hair well-oiled. Dandruff tends to be formed more when the skin is dry. Also oiling the air will strengthen it at its roots.

Some people believe that dandruff is increased by stress. Hence it is advisable to keep the mind free with the help of yogic asanas.

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The exact cause of dandruff has long been uncertain. Some doctors believe it is the result of either too much or too little oil being produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp.

However, some dermatologists suggest that it is caused by an infection, and a yeast fungus has been isolated that is believed to breed in a combination of sebaceous oil and dead skin cells. Anti-fungal shampoos, developed in the 1980s, are now available in health stores to correct this problem.

Natural “live” yoghurt is often recommended as a hair conditioner. To use it first wash and rinse your hair, then rub yoghurt into your scalp, and leave for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it out, then wash again, using as little shampoo as necessary. A strong infusion of thyme, nettle or sage with 2 tablespoons of vinegar can be used as a final rinse.

A naturopath doctor will tell you that dandruff may indicate poisons in the system or nutritional deficiencies and imbalances in levels of minerals and or trace elements. He will recommend a diet of plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, vegetable oils and high protein food, such as lean meat and nuts. Also, sugar and starch products, alcohol, and fatty or highly spiced foods should be avoided.

Some Other Alternative Treatments

Herbal medicine

For a scalp massage after shampooing, use infusions of rosemary or lavender, or a few drops of the essential oils of these herbs, and rub it into your scalp. Alternatively, boil 15g of sage leaves in 1 liter of water for five minutes. Leave to infuse for another five minutes-and then use it as a scalp massage.

Aromatherapy Instructions

Mix essential oils of cedar wood, cypress and juniper in 50ml of carrier oil. Rub well into the scalp and leave for one hour. To remove, rub mild shampoo into the hair and then wash out with warm water.

To keep dandruff at bay, use the same quantities of the oils in 600ml of warm water. Stir well and use as a final rinse.

Natural dandruff treatment.

There is an entire array of reasons for the cause of dandruff, and these are internal causes as well as external causes. Below are some internal causes of dandruff:

>>Fungus: This is the most common cause of dandruff. Melessezia furfur (also known as Pityrosporum Ovale) is a fungus that causes dandruff, and tends to multiply due to imbalances in the production of sebum (natural oils) in the skin, often caused by harsh shampoos and conditioners, stress, or harsh weather conditions. So while this fungus causes the visible signs of dandruff, it can itself be aggravated by other causes and changes in your internal health.

>>Poor nutrition: the lack of nutrition in a person’s diet leads to unbalanced skin production, and this can lead to dandruff developing. Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, will help re-dress the balance and can often lead to the dandruff problem disappearing on its own.

>>Lack of zinc: zinc plays an important role in the nutrition and health of our skin. It is one of the vital vitamins required for balanced skin production. Excessive lack of zinc can even lead to skin cancer. While there are zinc supplement tablets on the market, it’s always better to make sure you add some zinc-rich foods into your diet like animal proteins, beans, nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, whole grains and even oysters (if you can stomach them…I can’t!).

>>Yeast infection (Candida): this dries out the skin and causes infection.

>>Poor blood circulation: can result in dandruff. Giving the scalp a good massage will stimulate the blood circulation and encourage your scalp to produce the right levels of sebum (natural oil produced by glands)

>>An inappropriate diet: similar to the lack of nutrition as mentioned above. As humans we require certain amounts of nutrients that, unfortunately, many processed and convenience foods produced these days don’t provide.

>>Blocked sebaceous glands: the glands that produce the sebum can cause big trouble when blocked. Blockages can come about due to harsh shampoos and soaps that leave residues, poor hygiene, or over-production of sebum. This is also what causes acne and blackheads.

>>Hormonal imbalance: Causes oil glands to shed skin cells prematurely and produce too much sebum. This is often brought on by stress, shock, puberty, pregnancy or any other major event.

>>Lack of Rest: Causes stress on the bodily functions and can sometimes result in dandruff.

An external cause of dandruff is an outer influence like:

>>An excessive use of cosmetic products like hair sprays, gels and hair dye is a cause of dandruff.

>>Excessive use of curling and hair straightening irons.

>>Cold weather and dry hot weather are also known to be a cause of dandruff.

>>Common stresses whether emotional stress, financial stress, stress at work or family stress. Any stress is a proven cause of dandruff.

Dandruff often seems to be a seasonal thing. It’s most common in winter due to the harsher and colder conditions. Although we can’t get rid of dandruff forever and eliminate it completely so it never comes back, we can take action to control it in a natural way.

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