Both traditional and natural treatments are available to help remove dandruff and bring your hair back to a normal condition.
Dandruff is most often caused by seborrheic dermatitis, according to Jeanette Jacknin in her book “Smart Medicine for Your Skin: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding.” This is when the oil glands in your scalp overproduce and push out itchy, dried flakes of oil and dead skin cells. Dandruff tends to worsen with cold weather and can cause embarrassment. Both traditional and natural treatments are available to help remove dandruff and bring your hair back to a normal condition.
Step 1
Use both a zinc pyrithione shampoo and anti-dandruff shampoo containing selenium sulfide, alternating each one daily. Jacknin writes to make sure you let the shampoo sit in your hair for five minutes. Rinse out and condition as normal.
Step 2
Apply vitamin E oil directly to your scalp, massaging into the roots of your hair. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Jacknin claims that vitamin E oil helps to soften your scalp.
Step 3
Take supplements of biotin, vitamin A and vitamin B12 daily. Follow the directions on each label to take the recommended dosage. Jacknin says that each supplement may help to relieve dandruff.
Step 4
Make a strong tea of burdock root by purchasing some in bulk at your health food store. Pour a one-half cup of burdock into a cooking pot. Pour 4 cups of water, and slowly bring to a boil. Let the herbs simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the herbs with a mesh strainer and let it cool. Phyllis A. Balch suggests, in her book “Prescription for Herbal Healing,” to use this tea as a hair rinse to help remove dandruff. Burdock root produces an oil that contains essential fatty acids that may to control dandruff.
Step 5
Add 2 tsp. of tea tree oil to 1 quart of water. Mix both and apply to the roots of your hair. Balch says this mixture helps to reduce fungal infection in your scalp.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
Balch also recommends eating a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as cold water fish, which contains essential fatty acids. Avoid fried and processed food or foods that contain refined sugars. Wash your hair frequently, and avoid oily shampoos.
Do not pick or scratch your scalp, as this may make it worse. You may want to check with your doctor before taking herbs or other nutritional supplements, as they may interact with certain medications.
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
- Zinc pyrithione shampoo
- Anti-dandruff shampoo containing selenium sulfide
- Vitamin E oil
- Biotin supplement
- Vitamin A supplement
- Vitamin B12 supplement
- Burdock root herb
- Cooking pot
- Strainer
- Tea tree oil
