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Your hair is one of the most visible parts of your body. Any minor change or issue can easily be spotted if you experience some kind of problem with your scalp. Your scalp can easily become affected by a wide range of skin conditions just like any other organ of the body and these scalp conditions are quite unpleasant. Incorporating treatment oils and other healthy alternatives have proven effective for most people though some will argue otherwise.
In this blog, we’re going to discuss a few of the common scalp conditions in general and the natural ways to treat those scalp problems, especially dandruff. Let's dive in!
1. Head lice:
Is a parasitic insect that lives on a person’s scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes that results in an itchy scalp.
2. Psoriasis:
It is a chronic scalp condition in which the skin grows too fast and can cause the appearance of flaky, flushed, and itchy patches. Your skin becomes very dry that it can easily crack and bleed.
3. Seborrheic dermatitis:
This type of skin condition resembles psoriasis in which the skin turns out to be dry, flushed, greasy and can form a yellow or white scales around the hairline. These flakes are also called dandruff.
4. Androgenetic alopecia:
This skin condition is the most common cause of partial or complete hair loss (baldness), especially in males. In females, this condition leads to hair thinning over the entire scalp.
5. Ringworm:
This is a fungal infection that affects the scalp resulting in dry scaling, matted hair, and yellow crusts.
6. Contact dermatitis:
When your scalp comes in contact with some kind of allergen, you may experience a rash, water blister, or swelling that leads to this skin condition.
7. Folliculitis:
Is an infection of the hair follicles that mostly damages anywhere hair grows not just the scalp. Folliculitis is not painful but one may experience itching.
Dandruff:
If you’ve noticed white flakes that reside in your hair or your shoulders, then you are familiar with the most common scalp condition referred to as dandruff. Those white flakes are completely harmless but are quite annoying just like an un-welcomed guest.
How does dandruff develop?
Your body hairs are constantly shedding and the old hairs are replaced with new ones similar to growing your nails. In conjunction, your scalp is constantly forming new cells and replacing the old ones in the form of dead skin. This process is natural and invisible to some extent. The problem occurs when old skin cells are replaced at an overly rapid rate. These dead skin cells are then combined with natural scalp oils that result in the formation of larger and visually obvious skin flakes which appear white or yellow color.
What are the causes of dandruff?
Dandruff can be caused by several factors.
There is a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia which is naturally present in the scalp and sometimes under abnormal conditions, it can cause skin cells to grow overly fast resulting in dandruff.
Less shampooing can also lead to oil buildup in the scalp that is responsible for developing dandruff.
Sensitivity to different chemicals or ingredients in hair care products including shampoos, hair dyes, perm lotions can also be the possible causes of developing dandruff.
Other than these, dandruff can also be caused as a result of your genetic makeup, age, hormonal factors, or your immune conditions.
How to get rid of dandruff?
As mentioned earlier, dandruff has several root causes so you may need to try several different treatments to figure out which one suits you best for treating dandruff. Sometimes medication is important to treat those stubborn flakes but sometimes natural products can also do the tricks. There is no one-size-fits-all kind of approach.
What are the natural ways to treat dandruff?
Enough of talking about dandruff, here comes the fun part that is how to treat dandruff naturally or by using organic ways. We have gathered some of the best, quickest, and natural home remedies to treat your dandruff without using any medication. Let's discuss these in detail.
Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil has a long history of application in traditional medicine and it is still being used in skin and hair care products due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. Washing your hair with a shampoo that contains tea tree oil is hands down the best natural way to get rid of dandruff. But again here is the thing, never use tea tree oil directly on your scalp otherwise you can become sensitized to it and develop different allergies. You can mix a couple of drops in your shampoo or for extra maintenance, use this oil with any carrier oil.
Here is our pick of the best natural organic oil i-e, JNJS Dandruff, Itchy, and Flaky Hair Treatment Oil 29$ (https://www.chedoj.com/product-page/jnjs-dandruff-itchy-flaky-hair-treatment-oil). This oil is infused with tea tree oil and various other organic ingredients that will miraculously improve your overall scalp health health.
Baking Soda:
There is another magical product that may reside in one of your kitchen cabinets and is considered the key to an itch-free and/or flake-free scalp. This magical product is none other than baking soda. First, wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously onto your scalp. Don’t shampoo your hair, just rinse out the baking soda from your hair. You may experience dry hair in the beginning but after a few weeks, your hair will start producing natural oils leaving the skin around your scalp soft, shiny, and dandruff-free. This is because baking soda fights against the overactive fungi that cause the abnormal formation of flakes.
Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is a “tried and tested” treatment for dandruff. Before showering, apply 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil to your scalp and massage. Leave it for about an hour and then wash with a gentle shampoo or a shampoo that contains coconut oil already.
For best results, we recommend you use our JNJS Dandruff, Itchy, and Flaky Hair Treatment Oil 29$ (https://www.chedoj.com/product-page/jnjs-dandruff-itchy-flaky-hair-treatment-oil) because it also contains coconut oil. Use it twice a week and see the magic for yourself.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar possesses anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Due to these properties, it can target and kill dandruff-causing yeast, Malassezia. Not only this, but it also helps in clarifying your scalp by removing thick scales and excess oil buildup. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it all over your scalp. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then rinse your hair. Your thick flakes will eventually vanish.
Garlic:
Yes, garlic! Although it has a very pungent smell, its medicinal and antimicrobial properties are immense and that’s why it's ideal to kill those dandruff-causing bacteria. Crush garlic and mix it with water, apply this mixture on your scalp to see the quick results. If you can’t bear its smell then mix it with a small amount of honey and ginger to minimize the odor.
Lemon:
If you have lemons in your fridge, trust us, your dandruff will go away in a matter of days. Massage 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and then rinse with water. Then mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mix all over your hair. Repeat this step until those stubborn flakes go away. The acidity of lemon helps in balancing the pH of your skin hence keeping dandruff away. This is also the reason JNJS dandruff treatment oil has lemon as one its key ingredient.
Dietary changes:
What you eat in your daily life plays a vital role in maintaining your overall health. Research shows that eating plenty of fruits and raw vegetables can minimize the risk of developing dandruff by 25%. Removing simple carbohydrates and sugars from your diet can starve the fungus to death hence no production of dandruff.
Eating healthy fats is equally important in managing heart and brain health as well as oil production on the scalp. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, mackerel, and walnuts minimizing the formation of flaky scalp, dry skin, and brittle nails.
Liver, egg yolks, and nuts are rich in vitamin B7 (Biotin) which plays an essential role in supporting healthy hair, nails, and skin. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
Stress reduction:
Proper stress management cannot only reduce your risk of developing any disease but is also very helpful in the prevention of dandruff. Yoga, exercise, meditation, and breathing in the fresh air are considered perfect remedies to reduce stress. Stress and anxiety alter your hormones leading to the excess production of sebum on which Malassezia feeds on eventually. Stress not only weakens the skin barrier that results in dull and dehydrated skin but also suppresses your immune system.
Takeaway:
Dandruff is a skin condition that can cause itch, flakes, and dryness on the scalp. Whether one admits it or not it can impact your quality of life and self-esteem. Not all of the above-mentioned home remedies work for everyone but most of them do decrease dandruff naturally. Its always good to consult a doctor before you try any natural DIY’s or natural products. If the remedies discussed in this blog post didn’t work for you, then we recommend you consult a dermatologist for a more professional opinion and medication for long-term relief or a cure from dandruff and any scalp issues.