Dealing with Dandruff

Dandruff is the single most common problem that can occur on every body. To have a few white-flaked cells is normal for it is simply the sloughing off matured skin cells and waste material through the pores of the scalp. It is only when this becomes excessive that it has to be considered a problem. Well-looked after, clean, healthy hair with the proper acid balance does not have problem dandruff.

There are two forms of dandruff - oily and dry. The dry dandruff appears as loose white flakes, and the scalp itches a great deal. The oily dandruff is sticky and yellow in color, and the scalp with oily dandruff smells bad. The oily form is found most among adolescents and adults with an excessively oily skin and scalp.

What causes dandruff

The basic causes of dandruff are faulty diet, emotional tension and stress, hormonal distrubances, infection due to disease, injury to the scalp and unwise or excessive use of hair cosmetics and dry weather.

The reason why so many adolescents have dandruff is that this is the time when they secrete an excess of androgen hormones which cause sebum, the skin oil.

How to get rid of dandruff

The motto of hair-care is keep it clean. Wash your hair and scalp frequently - it could be every other day depending upon how stubborn your dandruff is. If your hair and scalp are oily, you should use herbal shampoo, since washing hair with frequent strong shampoo can harm your hair.

Massage and daily brushing is extremely helpful in treating dandruff. They invigorate the blood circulation to scalp, promote the traffic of oil effusion and dislodge the dead skin cells sticking to the scalp for easy exfoliation. If you have dry dandruff, use an oil to massage your scalp especially before washing your hair.

Lastly eat less animal fat, and more poly-unsaturated vegetable oils. Avoid nuts, chocolate, fried food, shellfish, iodized salt. Follow a diet high in greens, chicken, fish, milk and its products and food high in Vitamins A, E and B Complex.

Home-made Cosmetic Care

Dandruff is one problem which can be easily taken care of with some home-made treatments.

For Oily Dandruff

Vinegar Rinse

To a mug of water, mix two tablespoons of malt vinegar. After shampoo, rinse the hair with it. Towel-dry your hair. This is an excellent remedy to prevent oily dandruff.

A Dandruff Cleanser

Soak two spoonfuls of fenugreek(methi) seeds in water overnight. In the morning, make a paste of the seeds and apply on the head. Leave it on for half an hour. Then wash the hair with soapnut (reetha) or shikakai and water. You may use a herbal shampoo instead to wash your hair. Do this routine twice a week.

For Dry Dandruff

Oil Massage

For best results, massage your scalp with 1 teaspoon hot castor oil, 1 teaspoon coconut oil and 1 teaspoon sesame (til) oil. Leave it on for about half-an-hour and then shampoo it out. Follow this routine, twice a week, especially in winter.

Cleanser

Take about 5 tablespoons of yogurt and squeeze half a lime in it. Take two spoonsfull of green grams and powder them. Mix it in curd. Apply on scalp and leave it for ten minutes. Wash your hair with a creamy shampoo thoroughly. Follow this routine at least once a week.

If the dandruff does not clear up in time, you should take medical advice. It could be due to a fungal infection.

Another effective dandruff chaser - A combination of a tablespoon of eau-de-cologne and two aspirin tablets curshed. 

UNDERSTANDING THE SKIN     OILY SKIN    DRY SKIN     IMPROVING THE COMPLEXION 
   DEALING WITH ACNE    HAIR & ITS GROWTH    OILY HAIR    DRY HAIR       
FALLING OF HAIR   CONDITIONING    BEAUTY TIPS   INDEX   VEGETARIAN WONDERS    HOME PAGE     FEED BACK