Hair dandruff has a notorious reputation for bringing a slew of symptoms that can leave your scalp red, itchy, and inflamed. But, did you know that some of your haircare habits might be triggering this unpleasant skin condition? Even if you have incredible hair products in your haircare arsenal, if you don’t use them correctly or if they don’t suit your hair type, it’s simply a recipe for disaster.
Let’s look at which haircare habits are responsible for triggering dandruff, and how to remove dandruff completely from your scalp and hair.
Damaging haircare habits
- Shampooing too little or too much
If you do not shampoo often, the sebum starts building up on your scalp. This sticky environment is ideal for the formation of flakes. However, shampooing your hair too much tends to remove all the essential oils from your scalp, which keeps your hair nourished and healthy. This tends to dry out your scalp and hair and triggers dandruff. - Not brushing your hair properly
A lot depends on the type of hairbrush you use; for instance, if your hairbrush has sharp ends, it can cause swelling and reddish patches on your scalp. So, find a paddle brush with soft, rounded ends that’s easier on your scalp and hair and won’t cause damage. - You skip the conditioner
When you shampoo your tresses, you remove the sebum collected on your scalp, along with the dirt and other impurities. While you feel squeaky clean post shampooing, you still need to replenish the nutrients your hair loses. And, this is where the conditioner comes in. If you skip the conditioner, it makes your scalp and hair dry, which is an open invitation for dandruff to wreak havoc. - You heat style your hair too often
The hair mousse or wax you vouch for are the ones responsible for damaging your tresses and weakening them. When you use a straightening iron or curler, it damages your hair strands and over time, your scalp becomes irritated, dry, and itchy.
How to treat dandruff
Now that you know where your haircare is going wrong, let’s look at some effective ways on how to cure dandruff permanently.
- Neem oil
All hail the mighty neem! Equipped with antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, neem oil might just be the answer to your query on how to cure dandruff completely. Dilute equal parts of neem oil with sweet almond or sesame oil, and gently massage it into your roots and scalp. Let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse it off completely. - Vinegar
Using vinegar to treat hair dandruff is not unheard of. This classic home remedy is used to treat itchy, dry skin and actively kills dandruff-causing fungus and bacteria. The acidic nature of vinegar can drastically reduce flaking. However, do not apply vinegar directly to your scalp. Instead, dilute it with water and leave it on your hair for half an hour. Wash it off with your shampoo and let it air dry. - Aloe vera
Aloe vera, the tiny succulent plant, possesses antifungal properties, which makes it a reliable home remedy for dandruff. Aloe vera gel acts as a natural coolant and alleviates itching and flakiness. It treats recurring dandruff and even removes dead skin cells from your scalp to allow the regeneration of fresh cells. - Anti-dandruff shampoos
A sure way of getting rid of dandruff is to use products that are designed specifically to deal with this skin condition. You can try Head & Shoulders Anti-dandruff Shampoos that are formulated with zinc pyrithione, a dandruff-fighting ingredient, for flake-free hair. Consider pairing it up with anti-dandruff conditioners from Head & Shoulders. Go flake-free and sport gorgeous, healthy hair!
The pesky dandruff flakes can be quite annoying and damaging to your self-esteem. Change your haircare habits and try out these home remedies that have proven to give you clean, flake-free hair.
