DOES VODKA HELP IN GETTING RID OF DANDRUFF?
Many people have tried to get rid of dandruff using vodka – but does it really work?
Vodka is a clear, distilled alcoholic beverage that you’ll find at a party or in a bar, not in a bathroom cabinet. It is generally made from grain or potatoes, and has about 40-55% alcohol content. Drinking it might be one thing, but people have used vodka for a whole variety of things - you might even have seen people using it to clean their jewellery. Some proclaim the benefits of applying vodka for hair and scalp issues, but there might be some trouble with that line of thinking.
What are the properties of vodka?
What are the properties of vodka?
There are certain characteristics that might lend credibility to using vodka for hair and scalp issues like dandruff:
- It has low pH levels
- It is an astringent
- It contains anti-septic and anti-bacterial properties
- The alcohol has potential anti-microbial attributes
- Can act as a clarifying agent
- Disinfectant and anti-toxin properties
But what is dandruff?
To understand if there is any positive outcome from using vodka for dandruff, you need to understand the cause of dandruff. Your scalp is covered in numerous sebaceous glands that secrete a waxy oil-like substance known as sebum. If for any reason your scalp starts producing excessive amounts of sebum, it accelerates the growth of a naturally occurring fungus known as Malassezia Globosa.
This fungus feeds on the excess sebum and breaks it down into oleic acid. Half of the people in the world are sensitive towards this by-product and react in the form of an itchy scalp, red scaly skin and white-yellow flakes of dead skin cells. This is what we recognise as dandruff.
What are the benefits of vodka for hair?
Although there is no direct proof, people have used vodka for hair troubles and had an encouraging effect. Some of the properties of vodka can help, but it depends on how your body reacts to the application. This is especially true when it comes to using alcohol for hair dandruff, as you need to attack the causes of dandruff.
- It can reduce sebum and clear build-up on your scalp. It can also potentially regulate your sebum production.
- Its astringent nature helps to tighten the pores which can help with the oiliness.
- It reduces the pH levels from alkaline levels. This can help to reduce the frizz in your hair and straighten the hair strands.
- It can help reduce any itchiness on your scalp.
- By contracting the scalp, it can tighten the hair follicles and strengthen hair strands.
- It seals the cuticle layer to reduce frizz and add shine.
How should you use it?
It all depends on what hair troubles you want to solve. If you want to get rid of your frizzy hair, you might want to create a concoction of vodka and water. Wash your hair with it regularly to calm down the frizz.
When it comes to dandruff, you could infuse vodka with crushed rosemary over a period of 2-3 days. Strain the mixture and apply it to your hair like an oil, washing it out with a mild shampoo. You could also use the combination of vodka and water to clear any oil build-up on your scalp.
Some people like adding vodka to shampoos and conditioners before applying it to their head. This can possibly help to clean your hair, promote hair growth, and get rid of the frizz. It is important to note that you should never apply undiluted vodka to your hair and scalp.
Are there any concerns?
It is claimed that alcohol can kill off the dandruff-causing microbe, Malessezia Globosa. There’s certainly merit in alcohol killing bacteria and in fact it has been used as an antiseptic for many years. But when it comes to dandruff, there’s no proof of it being an effective dandruff remedy. In addition, there are a few points that you should be aware of:
- It can excessively dry out your scalp and make it vulnerable to infections.
- The drying out of your scalp can trigger your body into increasing sebum production which can inevitably increase your dandruff.
- There is always a possibility of an allergic reaction to the vodka.
- It might not be safe for coloured hair or chemically treated hair.
- It’s been tried and tested by regulatory bodies around the world and has never been proven to work on dandruff.
- Combining vodka with different products might create a chemical reaction that you are not aware of. This could have an adverse effect on your body.
- There are varying qualities of vodka available in the market which might contain different types of impurities. Using the wrong product might have unintended consequences.
- Using undiluted vodka on your scalp can possibly cause burning and scarring.
You might be tempted to use vodka as one of the many dandruff home remedies that are spoken about, but you’re better off using tried and tested scalp shampoos instead. Use the Head and Shoulders Neem, to cleanse your scalp and prevent dandruff from coming back. If you’re looking for a product that gets rid of dandruff flakes and restores damaged strands, you could try the Head and Shoulders Smooth and Silky 2in1 shampoo and conditioner in one.
