Home Remedies for Dandruff: Effective Solutions and Tips to Treat Dandruff Permanently

One of the most common misconceptions about dandruff is that it is caused by dirty hair or an unhygienic lifestyle, and thus it is something that is cause for great embarrassment. This, however, is not true. Dandruff is caused by a fungus called Malassezia globosa that resides on scalp, and causes flaking, itching, irritation etc. and it can happen to anyone.

While it is usually a mild condition, it should not be ignored. Dandruff causes a lot of irritation and discomfort, and if left untreated, it might escalate and cause inflammation of the scalp and various other symptoms that are difficult to treat. Dandruff should be treated as soon as possible using anti-dandruff remedies to prevent symptoms from getting severe.

You can also use home remedies to treat or curb dandruff, though I always suggest using an anti-dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders to effectively treat dandruff at home.

What Are The Causes Of Dandruff?

There might be various reasons to search for a dandruff remedy, but these are the most common causes of dandruff:

• Irritated and Oily scalp – Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Not shampooing enough leads to dirt and skin cell buildup, which leads to flakes and itching.
• Malassezia Globosa, a fungus that feeds on excessive oil and leads to red scaly skin.
• Sensitivity to hair products
• Skin conditions like psoriasis

10 Expert Recommended Dandruff Home Remedies

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that can be effective against the fungus that causes dandruff. It is also successful in soothing sensitive and irritated skin, thus being an efficient method to remove dandruff at home.

Tea tree oil should be handled carefully, as you should never use it without diluting it. Add it to oils like coconut oil and apply it onto your hair. You can also add a few drops to your existing shampoo and rinse your hair thoroughly. This is one of the dandruff home remedies that can instantly reduce itchiness on your scalp.

2. Argan Oil

Dandruff causes itching and dryness, which eventually leads to flaking. Argan oil is an essential oil that can hydrate your scalp and bring life back to it. The moisturizing properties of Argan oil can reduce your itching and irritation, providing instant relief to your scalp. Argan oil is also said to create a protective layer on your scalp to prevent damage from excessive heat.

Apply a few drops directly to your hair and scalp, and massage it in. This can also boost blood circulation to your head. Argan oil is robust enough that you can add drops directly into your shampoo or conditioner and use them as a dandruff remedy. If using as an oil, you can also employ a hair wrap to create your own hair mask. To save time, you might consider the Supreme Scalp Rejuvenation shampoo that contains Argan oil, helping you significantly reduce your dandruff.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known for its hydrating and soothing properties, that can help to calm the irritation or inflammation caused by severe dandruff. It can also nourish your scalp and tackle the problem of dryness that is caused by dandruff. Aloe Vera is known to contain anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that could be used as a home remedy for dandruff and itchy scalp.

You can enjoy the cooling effect of Aloe Vera by directly applying it to your scalp. It is an effective dandruff treatment at home and can instantly sooth any itchiness. Creating a concoction of Aloe Vera, honey and yogurt can also be an ideal hair mask for your dandruff needs. There also exist anti-dandruff shampoos like the Supreme Scalp Soothing shampoo that incorporate the benefits of Aloe vera, along with Argan oil, to give your scalp protection.

4. Neem

Neem has been known as a multi-tasking ayurvedic herb with anti-bacterial properties and has been used to fight infections for centuries. It prevents dandruff from coming back and even promotes healthy hair growth by strengthening the hair follicles.

You can use a paste of neem and use it as a hair mask as a dandruff remedy, since the properties of neem can fight against dandruff causing fungus and prevents it from spreading further. Boiling neem and applying it to your hair after shampoo has shown to be an effective dandruff treatment at home. It is also easily available making it a perfect dandruff treatment at home. Using a Neem Shampoo fights the dandruff-causing germ and prevents dandruff from coming back when used regularly.

5. Lemon

Lemon contains Vitamin C which is essential for the health of your scalp and hair. It can help balance the pH of the scalp and help reduce dandruff. Lemon can reduce oiliness of hair that causes greasiness and build up. You could directly apply lemon juice onto your scalp or dilute it with warm water. Let it penetrate into your roots and wash it off with a mild shampoo after. Add lemon to oils and sugar to create your own home-scrub, which can exfoliate any dead skin and remove excess oil. Even the Head and Shoulders Lemon Fresh shampoo incorporates the goodness of lemon with expert dandruff treating formula. Regular use of anti-dandruff shampoo helps in reducing dandruff and treating scalp problems. The power of lemon along with anti-dandruff properties helps in effectively getting rid of dandruff.

6. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds, or methi seeds as they are known in Hindi, are known to be a good dandruff remedy and very good for hair as they promote a healthy scalp and faster hair growth. They also have anti-fungal properties that can fight against dandruff, and they also contain protein and vitamin C which can nourish your scalp and act as an easy dandruff solution at home.

To use Fenugreek seeds as a dandruff remedy, you need to soak them overnight in water and create a paste of it in the morning. You could add lemon or coconut oil or even curd to this paste if required. Apply this paste to your hair, leave it for about 30 minutes, and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a very popular home remedy for dandruff and itchy scalp as it is easily available and also contains cleansing properties that could clear out any residual scalp build up, that could aggravate your dandruff and itching. The simplest way to use apple cider vinegar is to mix it with equal parts water and leave it on your hair for 15 minutes after shampooing. Gently rinse it out, and it becomes a simple yet effective dandruff home remedy. Some studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can also be combined with Aloe Vera, lemon or even honey to use as a hair mask.

8. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are very important for healthy skin as they promote oil production and hydration and a deficiency could cause dry skin and scalp. They help keep your scalp hydrated and reduce dryness. Omega-3 Fatty acids are also helpful in reducing inflammation and reduce the symptoms of dandruff, and therefore are a good dandruff home remedy. You can get Omega-3 by incorporating salmon, mackerel, walnuts, soybeans, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, or berries into your diet. In addition, you can also find over the counter Omega-3 capsules to consume.

9. A Healthy Diet

There is nothing that can be a more effective dandruff remedy than eating healthy and providing your scalp with all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and dandruff free. A healthy scalp is less likely to get dandruff and can be achieved by eating a lot of vitamins, minerals, proteins and by getting enough hydration.

10. Managing Stress Levels

Stress can actually have a physiological impact on our body, and can affect the health of your scalp as well. Too much stress could mess up the balance of oils and nutrients in the scalp and could lead to dandruff. It’s therefore important to eat a lot of nutritious food and to try and manage stress better so it doesn’t affect our body, and is an important dandruff home remedy.

As with any home remedies to remove dandruff, it is difficult to say how a certain ingredient will affect different people. Some people may have more sensitive skin and could sometimes develop adverse reactions to these remedies. We would advise doing a patch test 48 hours before using any of these home remedies to get rid of dandruff, just as a precaution. Most of these ingredients however are mild enough and should not cause any lasting side effects.

Dandruff can be quite a perseverant condition that could be difficult to get rid of even after repeated attempts, and still it could come back. While these home remedies for dandruff vary in effectiveness and could definitely be worth a try, it’s always recommended to use a good shampoo for dandruff like Head and Shoulders to quickly and effectively get rid of dandruff. Using Head and Shoulders also prevents dandruff from recurring and is the easiest solution to dandruff, as the home remedies to treat dandruff could end up being quite a hassle.

Head and Shoulders contains ingredients that actively fight against the fungus that causes dandruff and flaking and can provide up to 100% dandruff protection. It also prevents dandruff from recurring and provides all around protection for your hair, and provides quick and effective relief and helps your hair become dandruff free.