Dandruff: Some Sure Shot Methods To Get Rid Of The Same
Dandruff may not necessarily be a health concern. However, it can become an increasingly embarassing problem, especially if you are the social type and like spending most of your time outdoors with friends or at social gatherings.
Nothing is more humiliating than having someone else point out those dry flakes which deposit themselves all over your shoulders and dress with the slightest body movement. And while there is no immediate cure for dandruff, there are a few remedies which would enable you to combat the issue in the long run.
Before trying to find a cure for the problem, it is best advised to ascertain the source of the same. And so we come to that one impertinent question which always keeps us confused. What is dandruff anyway and how does it affect us?
It is a general notion that people regularly shed dead skin which tends to form on the outer layer of the epidermis (the top most layer of the human skin). While shedding dead skin is ok, shedding it too soon can cause dandruff. Accordingly, when dead or dry flakes of the skin tend to peel off sooner than they are supposed to, you get dandruff.
There are many well known reasons for the formation of dandruff, with stress and overactive oil glands being the foremost concerns. Sometimes a condition called seborrhoeic dermatitis; translated as skin rash in simple terms, can cause dryness and itchiness in the head and chest area; leading to dandruff in the long run. It has also been found out that dandruff can be caused by a common yeast called Pityrosporum orbiculare; the overgrowth of which causes dandruff.
Artificial Cures:
With so many products in the market that promise both temporary and permanent relief from the issue, it becomes difficult for the normal individual to zero in on the perfect product that would enable him/her to get rid of dandruff without damaging his/her hair in the process.
Shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, selenium sulphide or tar effectively help in reducing the formation of dandruff on the scalp. While tar based shampoos help to retard cell growth rather than just loosen them, zinc pyrithione and selenium sulphide effectively reduce the rate at which these dead cells multiply.
Again products that contain ketoconazole act as anti fungal medications which help in eradicating pityrosporum orbiculare; the yeast that causes dandruff in the first place.
As and when you switch to an anti dandruff shampoo (or any other related product), give it at least two weeks time to start working. You cannot expect immediate results. So it is recommended that you wait for about two weeks to decide if you want to opt for another product or not!
Sometimes, anti dandruff shampoos may stop functioning after a few weeks time. The reason for this would be your scalp getting used to the ingredient present in the shampoo. In these cases, you can switch over to another shampoo that has another active ingredient to combat the issue; and then switch back again after a few weeks.
Home Remedies:
In addition to opting for anti dandruff shampoos and other similar products, you can opt for home made rinses to help you combat with dandruff. There are several rinses you can opt for, including rosemary rinse, tumeric rinse, cedar vinegar rinse, and anti fungal rinse etc.
Rosemary rinse which effectively helps you fight off bacteria and fungi from the scalp can be prepared quite easily. Accordingly, you would need to finely chop about a tablespoon of rosemary and then keep it dipped in boiling water for a few minutes. After straining the extract, you can use the infusion as a rinse everyday after you shampoo your hair.
Cedar vinegar rinse can be prepared by mixing together one part apple cedar vinegar with one part water. Use the rinse after shampooing your hair to get rid of dead, dry flakes.
The berberine present in fresh tumeric has strong anti fungal and anti bacterial properties. Hence tumeric rinse would be an effective cure for dandruff. Accordingly, chop about two tablespoons of tumeric and keep it dipped in boiled water. When the water cools down, strain the mixture. The resulting infusion can be used as a rinse after shampooing.
Other well known remedies:
Tea tree oil is known for its antifungal properties. Before calling it a day, you can apply a mixture that woud essentially contain one tablespoon of olive oil and seven drops of tea tree oil, on your scalp. Leave it overnight and rinse it off the next day. Alternatively you can add the mixture to your shampoo as and when you take a bath.
Yogurt and the friendly bacteria present in it also help to keep dandruff at bay. Spread some yogurt over your scalp and wait for an hour before rinsing it off.
Consulting a doctor:
Mild cases of dandruff can be taken care of with shampoos and home remedies. However, if you find no significant change even after two weeks, consult a doctor for further options. You would also need to consult with a professional if you develop a red, itchy scalp; or scaly patches along the neckline.
