Dandruff Before reading on about treating your dandruff at home, make sure you actually have dandruff. Chances are a good amount of the people visiting this page will actually have dry scalp, which differs from dandruff in symptoms and treatment. If you know you have dandruff, then read on. Below are 12 home remedies to help you kick the crustiest.
Pour, Rinse, and Barely Repeat with Vinegar
You will need…
-1/2 cup warm water
-1/2 cup ACV or white vinegar
-A cup
Directions
Mix together the warm water and vinegar in a cup. The total amount may be varied to be more or less depending on how much hair you have. Pour the mixture over your hair, scrub it around gently for several minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly with water (only water!) Wait about 8-12 hours before taking a normal shower. Repeat once every week or two weeks, depending on how often you feel you need it.
Break It Up With Baking Soda
You will need…
-1 tablespoon of baking soda
-1 cup of water
-A few drops of rosemary oil (optional)
Directions
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda to every one cup of warm water. If you’re using an old (clean) shampoo or soap bottle, shake up the mixture and apply generously. Otherwise, stir it before you use it. Do this in place of shampoo, daily if possible. Your hair may feel quite dry in the beginning, but its natural oils will restore themselves soon, and they will be much more balanced than when using some commercial shampoo. If you feel you absolutely must use shampoo (and really try the baking soda alone first if you can) you can add a teaspoon of baking to a handful of shampoo and use that instead. The rosemary oil is optional, but some people find rosemary helps dandruff and think it has a pleasant scent.
Have Fun With Fenugreek
You will need…
-2 tablespoons of Fenugreek seeds (check a health food store if they aren’t at your grocery store)
-A bowl of water
-Something to grind the seeds with
Directions
Soak the seeds in 1-2 cups of water overnight. The next morning, grind them into a fine paste and apply to your scalp. Leave it applied for 30-45 minutes, then wash with mild shampoo or water.
Treat Your Scalp To Neem Leaves
You will need…
-At least 2 handfuls of neem leaves
-4-5 cups of hot water
Directions
Add two handfuls of neem leaves to 4 or 5 cups of hot water. Let it stand overnight. The next morning strain the liquid and use it to rinse your hair. You can also try making a paste out of leaves, applying it to your scalp, and letting it sit for about an hour before washing it off with water.
Utilize Listerine
You will need…
-Water
-Listerine Mouthwash (preferably not green or blue as they might stain your hair)
-Spray bottle (optional)
Directions…
Mix 2 parts water with 1 part Listerine. After you shampoo, spray or pour the solution onto your scalp, massage in well, and let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with water.
Take Some Aspirin
You will need…
-2 white Aspirin tablets
-Shampoo
Directions…
Crush up the Aspirin until it becomes a fine powder. Add it to your regular shampoo before use, making sure to leave it in your hair for about 2 minutes before rinsing completely.
Take Advantage Of Lemons
You will need…
-2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, divided
-1 cup of water
Directions
Massage 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and let it sit for a minute. Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1 cup of water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until no longer needed.
Use Tea Tree Oil
You will need…
-1 tablespoon of tea tree oil
-1 cup of warm water
-A squirt bottle
Directions
Pour 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil into 1 cup of warm water in a squirt bottle. Shake well. After shampooing, spray the mixture all over your scalp, massage, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Pat the excess moisture out, but don’t wash it out.
Enjoy Aloe
You will need…
-1 bottle of Aloe Vera gel
Directions
Apply Aloe Vera gel to the scalp 15 minutes prior to washing your hair. After 15 minutes, shampoo and wash it as normal.
Salt It
You will need…
-3 tablespoons of salt (Epsom salt works well if you happen to have it, but regular table salt is fine too.
Directions
Gently massage 3 tablespoons of salt into your dry or slightly dampened scalp for 2-3 minutes. Shampoo immediately afterwards.
Dandruff can seem like an unconquerable enemy, but there are a number of effective ways to manage it and lessen its severity- and not all of them have to involve harsh chemicals or an expensive trip to the dermatologist. The next time you get down about shaking the flake remember that a solution could be right in front of you, maybe even as close as the salt shaker on your dining room table.