How to Prevent and Treat Dandruff Dandruff, a condition characterized by flaking, itchy scalp, is one of the most common dermatological conditions. Fortunately, while the exact cause of dandruff is not known, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of getting it, and effective treatments are available. Use a shampoo designed to treat dandruff. If dandruff persists despite regular shampooing, you may need something stronger. Try a shampoo with zinc (look at the label on the back); zinc helps fight off dandruff. There are a variety of zinc-based anti-dandruff shampoos available at your pharmacy or grocery store, and they usually work. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and make a little extra time to shower, as most of these recommend that you leave them in for 5-10 minutes and lather twice. 2 Oil your hair with herbal oils or use special herbal gels. Gels from India have been known to help. Do this on a regular basis, at least twice a week for improvements. 3 Use a medicated shampoo. For more severe dandruff, a medicated shampoo maybe be necessary. Be aware that there are different active ingredients in dandruff shampoos. If one does not work for you, you can simply try another. Ketoconazole (brand name Nizoral®) is extremely effective against certain types of dandruff that are caused by a fungus. 1% Ketoconazole is available without prescription in the US, 2% requires a prescription. The 2% is available without a prescription in Canada. 4 Be patient. While anti-dandruff shampoos may produce results after a few uses, it can take a week or two to see any difference. 5 Switch it up. If one type of anti-dandruff shampoo doesnt seem to work, or if it works for a time but then doesnt, switch to a product with another active ingredient (the active ingredient will be labeled on the bottle). 6 See your doctor if the problem persists after more than a couple weeks of treatment. There are prescription shampoos available, and prescription steroid creams may also help. Using Home Remedies 1 Use aspirin. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is an ingredient used in many anti-dandruff shampoos. Crush up two aspirin tablets to a fine powder, then mix this powder with your regular shampoo. Allow the shampoo to sit in your hair for a minute or two before rinsing out. 2 Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can effectively reduce dandruff. All you need to do is mix a couple of drops of pure tea tree oil in with your regular shampoo and wash as normal. 3 Use baking soda. Baking soda helps to fight the fungus that often causes dandruff. Dampen your hair with water, then rub a tablespoon of the baking soda directly into your scalp. Rinse out with plain water, do not shampoo. 4 Use apple cider vinegar. Apple cider helps to correct PH imbalances on your scalp which can cause dandruff. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz directly onto the roots of your hair. Leave to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing out. 5 Use coconut oil. Coconut oil helps to moisturize a dry flaky scalp, thus reducing dandruff. Massage three tablespoons of the coconut oil directly into your scalp (it smells great!) and leave to sit for an hour before washing out with shampoo.[1] 6 Use lime. Squeeze the juice from 1 to 2 limes. Apply it to the dandruff zone. Scratch into the scalp area and leave for for about 3 minutes. Then rinse out. Repeat each day over 2 to 3 days; the dandruff should start to retreat. Preventing Dandruff 1 Eat a healthy, balanced diet. As if you needed another reason to eat right, it turns out that a healthy diet may ward off the flakes. Make sure to get plenty of zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, E and B-vitamins, and avoid excessive yeast and sugar. Research suggests that dandruff is at least in part caused by a fungus that thrives in yeasty, fatty, sugary environments. Though this does not necessarily directly affect the conditions of your skin, your overall health will help with how your body responds to the fungus causing the dandruff. 2 Avoid stress. Stress challenges the bodys defenses and encourages all sorts of ailments, including dandruff, so relax now and dont worry about wearing a black shirt tomorrow. 3 Limit your use of hair styling products. Hairspray, mousse, and gel may contribute to dandruff in some people. They may also cause excessive drying of the skin, which can cause flaking - or trigger allergic reactions. If you notice dandruff soon after you begin to use a new product, chances are the product is to blame. The exception to this would be using a therapeutic styling gel or spray formulated with tea tree oil. 4 Wash your hair regularly. Dandruff seems to thrive in oily hair, so regular shampooing can help you fight it off. If you already have dandruff, washing your hair may help you keep the symptoms (the flakes) under control until it goes away. Massage your scalp so that you clean your skin, as well as your hair. This is one time when the repeat directions in wash, rinse, and repeat may be useful. The first washing breaks up the waxy sebum, and the second washing helps rinse it all away.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 07:29:52 +0000
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