How to get rid of dandruff: 11 folk remedies.

If dandruff occurs, immediate action must be taken. This disease not only causes inconvenience in the form of itching and an unaesthetic appearance of the head, but also, if left untreated, provokes hair loss. Advanced cases can result in baldness. To prevent such consequences, it is necessary to understand the causes of seborrhea and begin to eliminate them in time.

Folk recipes for dandruff in the form of hair masks will help get rid of dry seborrhea at home. Recipes usually include castor or olive oil, nettle and other herbs, onions, kefir, egg and others.

Types of seborrhea

The most common types of seborrhea (a more general concept of dandruff) are dry and oily. In rare cases, a mixed appearance occurs, when both oily and dry seborrhea are found on the head in different areas.

Oily seborrhea is characterized by:

An increase in the amount of sebum produced, constant shine of the roots and scalp.
Noticeable enlargement of the pores and ducts of the sebaceous glands.
Thickening of the skin, decreasing its elasticity.
The stiffness of the hair.
The spread of comedones on the scalp - subcutaneous acne.
The appearance of pustules.

Signs of dry seborrhea:

The occurrence of itching and irritation of the skin.
Reducing sebum secretion.
The appearance of small white scales.
The formation of grayish crusts on the scalp as a result of a layer of dandruff.
Feeling of skin tightness.
Loss of shine and healthy appearance of hair.

Mixed seborrhea manifests itself in the presence of symptoms of both types of dandruff. It is more common in men because it is usually caused by large amounts of the hormone testosterone. Representatives of the fairer sex are susceptible to it only in case of hormonal imbalances or genetic predisposition.

Types of dandruff

There are several types of dandruff, depending on the reasons for its appearance.

Dry dandruff. With this type, sebum is not secreted enough and is viscous. It is more common in young people who have not reached puberty.

At the same time, the skin is overdried, itching and peeling are observed. Dandruff is intense and fine.

Hair falls out a lot and is thin. The scales stick together, forming crusts, which causes a feeling of tightness and discomfort.

Oily dandruff. It appears when the glands work too intensely and the oiliness of the scalp increases. When the glands work this way, a film forms on the head, the pores close and stop breathing.

With this type of dandruff, large dandruff is formed. Hair falls out a lot and itches.

Mixed type. Signs of both types of seborrhea are observed. Treatment in this case is selected individually.

Seborrheic dermatitis. This is already an inflammation of the skin, which can manifest itself against the background of a weakened immune system after stress or taking medications. Red spots appear. Peeling is most intense on them. There is itching and scratching.

Skin diseases. Dandruff can also appear with skin diseases: different types of lichen, microsporia, eczema, psoriasis. In this case, it is rational to consult a doctor to prescribe effective treatment, otherwise there is a possibility of severe hair loss.

Causes of dandruff (dry seborrhea)

Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system, failure of the ratio of female and male hormones.
Diseases of the digestive system, metabolic disorders.
Unbalanced diet, abuse of sweets, fried and spicy foods. Lack of vitamins A, B and E, essential microelements.
Constant stress, nervous tension.
Bad ecology.
Using low-quality hair cosmetics, insufficient cleansing of the scalp.

Most often, the causes of dandruff lie internally. To completely overcome the disease, you need to eliminate health problems and establish a balanced diet, as well as start making homemade dandruff masks and change your hair care.

Diagnostics

If the first alarming signs occur, you should contact a dermatologist or trichologist. The doctor will take a medical history and conduct an examination. The specialist will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis based on the patient’s complaints.

Oily dandruff has specific symptoms:

Burning and itching of the scalp.
The presence of yellowish or grayish scales at the roots of the hair.
Red spots on the scalp.

In addition, people suffering from dandruff are characterized by irritability.

In order to confirm his suspicions, the doctor issues a referral for a comprehensive diagnosis, including:

Clinical and biochemical blood tests.
Examination of liquid connective tissue for thyroid hormones.
Analysis of hair collected from the back of the head using the spectral method.
Phototrichogram.
Trichoscopy.

Often, dandruff and oily scalp are the result of dysfunction of internal organs. In this case, consultation with other specialized specialists is required.

Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor draws up a treatment plan. The main goal of therapy is to get rid of the root cause of oily dandruff. For symptomatic treatment, the medications described below are prescribed.

How to get rid of dandruff at home

You should approach getting rid of seborrhea in a comprehensive manner. You need to firmly decide not to be lazy and do everything possible to overcome it:

Avoid styling products during treatment. Varnishes, foams and gels load the curls and scalp, limiting the supply of oxygen and nutrients. The chemicals they contain irritate already problematic skin.
Dry your hair naturally; a hair dryer will only make dandruff worse.
Change your usual shampoo to the mildest analogue. It should be neutral, without fragrances, SLS, silicones and parabens. Its main task is to carefully cleanse the head. Any organic shampoo will do the job.
Instead of balm, use a water rinse with 4-6% apple cider vinegar. It will soften the hair and heal the skin. The proportion is 1 tablespoon per 1 liter of cool water. The product must be completely natural and must not contain acetic acid. If the label says 9%, it means the vinegar is not natural.
Do not wash your hair with hot water under any circumstances, it provokes increased irritation. The water should be pleasantly warm.
Avoid fried, spicy, sweet and canned foods. Drink freshly squeezed juices, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, quality protein and dairy products. This will compensate for the lack of zinc, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus - one of the causes of seborrhea.
Follow a daily routine, walk more, walk in the fresh air. This will boost your immunity and your body will have more strength to fight dandruff.
Make anti-dandruff masks regularly - they are easy to prepare and use at home.

HOW to fight DANDRUFF at home?!

Quickly/in one day: shampoo

If dandruff is not a symptom of a serious disease, but is of a purely cosmetic nature (for example, due to improper shampooing or dyeing of hair), then it is enough to go to the store and buy anti-dandruff shampoo. But it is important to choose the right shampoo that would achieve the goal - dissolve and remove scales. It should contain acids (for example, salicylic, lactic - they help exfoliation). Please note that if you have oily seborrhea, you need to wash your hair every day. Unlike dry seborrhea, where daily washing will only do harm instead of good.

If you wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo and it doesn't go away, it means it's not a cosmetic problem, but a disease.

Then you have a direct route to the pharmacy - for medicated shampoo, which also contains antifungal drugs. More about it in the next chapter.

Features of application

For treatment, an anti-dandruff mask is made 2 to 3 times a week. For prevention, once every 10 days is enough.
Procedures must be done in courses. They have a cumulative effect - if you interrupt the course without completing it, you will not get the desired result. Usually it includes 10-14 masks, after which a break is taken and the next course begins.
Alternate courses with different recipes. You cannot conduct the same course twice in a row. Skin and curls lack a whole range of microelements and nutrients - saturate them with a variety of masks.
In order for the beneficial properties of the mask components to be fully revealed, a sauna effect is created - the head is wrapped in film or a tight-fitting shower cap is put on. You need to put a towel on top or wrap your head with a scarf.
After using a hair mask for dandruff, you should not blow-dry it, as the skin sensitivity is increased.
Follow the proportions indicated in the recipes. Even small changes in the ratio of products can dry out the skin and worsen the problem.
Before using a new mask, check yourself for allergies. Apply a drop of the solution to a small area of skin for half an hour, then rinse. If there are no negative symptoms within an hour, then the recipe does not cause allergies.
If there is no improvement after a course of masks, consult a doctor. Perhaps the reason is deeper than it seems.

Aerosol "Skin-cap"

The active component of the drug is zinc pyrithione. It has the following properties:

Antifungal.
Antibacterial.
Antiproliferative.
Anti-inflammatory.

According to reviews from doctors, the aerosol destroys most pathogenic microorganisms, the active activity of which can provoke the occurrence of oily dandruff.

“Skin-cap” is also prescribed by doctors for seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis, and psoriasis. The aerosol should be sprayed onto the scalp 2-3 times a day.

Traditional recipes for dandruff at home

Castor oil for dandruff

Castor oil softens, has antiseptic properties, relieves inflammation and eliminates itching. A mask with castor oil will remove unpleasant symptoms and heal the skin, and with regular use it will help eliminate seborrhea. To enhance its penetration into the skin, tea tree essential oil is added to the recipe. It will increase capillary permeability and have a powerful antifungal effect.

Ingredients:

Castor oil - 30 ml.
Em. tea tree - 5 drops.

Application:

Heat the castor oil to 40-50 degrees in a water bath.
Add tea tree and stir.
Use on dirty hair. Apply to scalp and massage for 5 minutes.
Distribute the remains over the entire length. This will make your curls shiny, soft and manageable.
Lay your hair at the back of your head or braid it, wrap it in cellophane and insulate it.
If possible, leave overnight. The minimum exposure time is 2 hours.
Wash off with shampoo in 2 lathers.
Rinse with water and herbs or vinegar.

Herbs for dandruff

Herbs contain a large amount of phytoestrogens - plant analogues of hormones that have a beneficial effect on hair and skin. The most effective against dandruff are nettle, linden, burdock, chamomile, calendula, rosemary, lavender, coltsfoot, sage, birch buds and leaves, thyme, and oak bark. Select at least 3 types of herbs and use them to prepare a dandruff mask.

Ingredients:

Herbs - a total of 3 tablespoons.
Water - 500 ml.
Egg - 1 pc.

Application:

Mix the selected herbs in a glass jar. For one procedure, take 3 tablespoons of the mixture and add water.
Bring to a boil, wait 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and leave for half an hour. Strain the infusion.
Beat the egg, add 50 ml of herbal infusion.
Apply half an hour before washing your hair. Rub into roots, distribute to ends.
Wrap your head as usual.
Rinse with shampoo at once, rinse with the remaining herbal decoction diluted with water.

Nettle and its decoction for dandruff

Nettle can be used separately in the form of rubbing and rinsing. This is one of the most versatile herbs that helps with various skin and hair problems. It will get rid of dandruff, strengthen the roots, and give a healthy look to your curls.

Ingredients:

Dry or fresh nettle - 40 grams.
Water - 400 ml.

Application:

Pour filtered water over the nettle, bring to a boil and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Immediately cover with a lid and leave to brew for another half hour.
Filter the infusion; there should be no large particles in it.
Wash your hair and dry your hair with a towel.
Rub 2-3 tablespoons of nettle infusion into the roots. Leave on hair for 1 hour.
Rinse off with cool water. Rinse your hair with the remaining infusion diluted in a liter of cool water.

Olive oil and egg yolk for dandruff

Yolk is the most effective remedy for seborrhea. They used it to treat dandruff when there were no special medications yet. Olive oil will add softening and moisturizing properties to the recipe. Complete a course of 12 such masks 3 times a week.

Ingredients:

Yolk - 2 pcs.
High-quality olive oil - 20 ml.

Application:

Separate the yolks and beat them thoroughly.
Add olive and stir. Heat the mixture to a comfortable temperature.
Apply an anti-dandruff mask to dry hair 1 hour before washing your hair.
Wrap it in film and insulate it.
Wash off with shampoo 1-2 times. Don't forget to rinse with herbs or apple cider vinegar water.

Kefir and onions for dandruff

This anti-dandruff mask has a specific smell, but it is worth paying attention to. Onions are a good antiseptic, and kefir can soothe and moisturize the skin. The recipe will reduce the amount of dandruff, and with an integrated approach will help defeat it.

Ingredients:

Kefir - 50 ml.
Onion juice - 20 ml.

Application:

Squeeze out the onion juice. To do this, chop it finely and squeeze it out.
Heat kefir to 40 degrees, mix with onion juice.
Apply to hair 45 minutes before washing. Massage the roots.
Wrap in film and put on a towel.
Wash off with shampoo in one go. To rinse, use water with the addition of 4 drops of any essential oil - this will remove the smell of onions.

Honey and aloe against dandruff

Honey is another natural antiseptic. It is effective against any type of seborrhea. The moisturizing and soothing properties of the mask will be enhanced by aloe, which is also often used in recipes for healing the scalp.

Ingredients:

Honey - 2 tablespoons.
Aloe gel - 1 tablespoon.

Application:

Liquid honey is convenient to use. Any candied honey can be made liquid by slightly heating it in a water bath.
Squeeze homemade aloe gel or purchase ready-made, most natural one. Mix with honey.
The anti-dandruff mask is applied to damp, freshly washed and towel-dried curls. First rub it into the roots, then distribute along the length.
Wrap your head. Honey may leak - protect your face and neck with an elastic cloth bandage.
After an hour and a half, rinse off the composition with warm water; there is no need to rinse your hair.
Dry naturally.

Salt and lemon for dandruff

Because of seborrhea, the scalp quickly becomes dirty. She needs a gentle but effective peeling. Sea salt and lemon will do the job - the skin will be cleansed and calmed, and itching will be eliminated.

Ingredients:

Finely ground sea salt - 3 tablespoons.
Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons.
Burdock oil - 2 tablespoons.

Application:

Squeeze fresh lemon juice.
Mix all ingredients. Apply them 5 minutes before washing your curls. This recipe is only for the roots, there is no need to distribute it along the length! Do the procedure over a bathtub; the mask may fall off.
Lightly massage the skin, but do not rub it.
Wash off with shampoo 1-2 times, rinse.

Tar or laundry soap for dandruff

Sometimes it helps to get rid of dandruff by giving up any industrial shampoos and replacing them with tar or ordinary laundry soap. Tar has long established itself as a good assistant in the fight against seborrhea. Soap with tar is a simple detergent without unnecessary chemicals. But when washing your hair with laundry or tar soap, there are some nuances - follow all the instructions for their use.

Ingredients:

Tar or laundry soap - 1 pc.
Apple cider vinegar - 20 ml.

Application:

Wet your curls. To lather them, whip up the foam with a washcloth. You cannot use soap directly on your hair - it will become covered with a coating that will not be washed off.
Apply the resulting foam exclusively to the roots and massage. When rinsed off, the foam will clean the length itself without drying it out.
It may take 2-3 soaps.
Finally, rinse your hair with vinegar water. If this is not done, they will become very confused. Vinegar will add softness and shine.

Aspirin and calendula tincture for dandruff

Both products are available at any pharmacy. The effectiveness of aspirin has been proven in laboratory tests; it is included in many industrial products for seborrhea. Add it to a mask along with calendula and get a homemade alternative to store-bought drugs.

Ingredients:

Aspirin - 3 tablets.
Calendula tincture - 1 tablespoon.
Almond oil - 20 ml.

Application:

Aspirin needs to be crushed, mixed with oil and calendula.
Apply the mixture to the roots 20 minutes before washing. Wrap with film and insulate.
Rinse off in 2 soaps, use herbal decoction for rinsing.

The effectiveness of natural remedies

The effectiveness of the techniques you have chosen undoubtedly depends on your patience and regularity of procedures .

One or two uses of masks or rinses will not be of any use - you need to act systematically.

Use natural remedies to treat your scalp until dandruff disappears. As a rule, this will require 1-2 months of regular procedures.

However, even consistency is not a guarantee of success. Everything will depend on the causes of dandruff, as well as the complexity of the disease .

It is quite possible to cure mild dandruff with folk remedies, but more advanced cases require consultation with a specialist and, possibly, the prescription of some medications.

Therefore, if, despite all your efforts and a rich arsenal of tested folk recipes, dandruff does not go away, go to the doctor. After all, the appearance of dandruff can be caused not just by improper functioning of the sebaceous glands, but also by a malfunction of any internal organs.

Check out reviews of effective anti-dandruff shampoos:

cosmetic : Head & Shoulders, Clear Vita ABE, Alerana, Horsepower, tar shampoo;
pharmacy : Nizoral, Sulsena, Sebozol, Fitoval, Ketoconazole, Vichy, shampoos with zinc.

Read tips on how to choose the right shampoo for a man or woman, as well as for dry or oily dandruff.

Reasons for education

The main cause of this disease is considered to be a disorder of the sebaceous gland. This circumstance can be caused by several factors.

What affects the functioning of the sebaceous gland:

diseases in the gastrointestinal tract;
violation of the body's metabolic mechanisms;
dysfunction of the thyroid and pancreas;
fungal infections;
heredity;
several factors at once.

Sebum is produced in different quantities and qualities. This depends on many circumstances, for example, the person’s age, gender, and general health.

Lack of vitamins and improper diet also negatively affect the process of sebum production.

It is known that during puberty the greatest production of sebaceous secretion occurs, which is associated with hormonal levels. And in old age, these processes fade out, since the body does not have enough of some hormones that affect the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

We recommend reading: Popular remedies for hair growth at home

Types of seborrhea:

Liquid form of seborrhea;
Dense form;
Dry seborrhea;
Mixed type of this disease;
Seborrheic dermatitis.

Each type of such manifestations has its own symptoms and looks different.

In some cases, the sebaceous duct becomes blocked by the resulting scales, which causes an inflammatory process in this area. If this place is opened, then pus will be released from the affected area, and later a noticeable scar will form.

Atheroma - a sebaceous gland cyst can also be a complication of disorders in this area.

Seborrhea is not an independent disease, so before starting treatment, a trichologist finds out the causes of this pathology.

Only by eliminating diseases that cause disruption of the secretion of fat from the sebaceous glands can you completely get rid of seborrhea.

However, there are a huge number of traditional methods of treating this skin condition that can relieve a person of dandruff, eliminate skin itching and improve the activity of this area.

Universal folk remedies for dandruff and itchy scalp

The fight against itching and dandruff should begin with an examination of the body. Often a change in the condition of the scalp appears as a consequence of a malfunction of internal organs or a feeling of stress. Is it possible to remove dandruff, which causes severe itching, using traditional methods? The use of these products will help relieve symptoms, alleviate and reduce exfoliation of the scalp:

Oils will soften the separation of scales.
Citric acid - will have a detrimental effect on the fungus (white coating).
Honey is a natural antiseptic.
A chicken egg is a storehouse of microelements for the scalp.
Fermented milk products act similarly to “lemon”, but much softer.
Plants - nettle, burdock root, burdock - are considered the No. 1 folk healer for hair at home.
Vodka, which is mixed with hair masks, will increase blood flow to the scalp, enhance nutrition of the roots, speed up the treatment process, disinfect, and kill fungus.

Anti-dandruff rinses

Various decoctions and infusions for rinsing strands will not only cure dandruff, but also improve the appearance of hair. Try these recipes.

Recipe No. 1

Compound:

Large lemons – 4 pcs.;
Water – 1 l.

How to cook:

Remove the lemon zest using a fine grater.
Fill it with water and cook for 20 minutes.
Filter and use for rinsing.

Lemon can be replaced with lime juice or citric acid. In this case, there is no need to boil the product; simply combine one of these components with water.

Recipe No. 2

Compound:

Water – 1.5 liters;
Beets – 1 pc.

How to prepare a decoction for dandruff:

Peel the beets.
Cut it into slices.
Place in a three-liter jar.
Fill with water.
We wait until the liquid level is equal to the neck of the jar.
Place the container in a lighted and warm place for exactly a week.
After this period, a green mold film should appear on the surface of the jar.
Strain the beet water through a sieve and dilute with hot water.
We use it to rinse strands.

Recipe No. 3

Compound:

Chamomile – 1 part;
Lemon juice – 2 tbsp. l.;
Sage – 1 part;
Water – 0.5 l.

How to cook:

Combine chamomile and sage.
Fill them with water.
Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Add lemon juice.
We pour over our hair after washing.

Recipe No. 4

Compound:

Birch leaves, nettle or coltsfoot - 50 g;
Water – 1 l.

How to cook:

Pour boiling water over clean birch leaves.
We insist for half an hour.
Drain the water and use it for rinsing.

Recipe No. 5

Compound:

Chamomile flowers – 2 tbsp. spoons;
Water – 1 liter;
Linden flowers - 2 tbsp. spoons.

How to cure dandruff:

Mix the color of chamomile and linden.
Pour a liter of boiling water.
Leave for half an hour and filter.
We use it for its intended purpose.

It is useful to add vinegar and lemon juice to herbal teas and infusions. However, it is worth noting that getting rid of dandruff with rinses alone is extremely difficult. Be sure to combine them with other traditional medicine recipes.