Dandruff Probs
Tired of dandruff? Have you tried dealing with it but it just won't work? Then why don't you try Head & Shoulders? If you want an alternative, then read on.
When the scalp is inflamed, cells over-reproduce and shed. Among the myriad of internal causes suspected are:
hormonal imbalance
poor health
excessive perspiration
poor hygiene
allergic hypersensitive
lack of rest
emotional stress
excessive consumption of sugar, fat, starch
improper nutrition
heredity pre-disposition
The following factors may make the flaking of dandruff worse and considered to be external causes for the problem:
Excessive use of hairsprays and gels.
Improper use of hair-coloring products or excessive use of electric hair curlers
Cold weather and dry indoor heating.
Tight fitting hats and scarves.
Infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing.
Stress, anxiety and tension.
If you have a light flurry, try using a mild dandruff shampoo containing salicylic acid to exfoliate the scalp and break up buildup. If you have a snowstorm, fight forceful flakes and keep a clear head with a shampoo containing powerful zinc-pyrithione or coal tar. If you have a full-blown blizzard, soothe a really red and inflamed scalp by snagging a solution that contains ketoconazole 1%, the most powerful scalp stuff you can get without visiting your doctor.
For help with flakes, use a dandruff shampoo to keep your scalp in condition. Extra-gentle cleansers are also a great way to return pH balance to a dandruff-prone scalp. For an immediate remedy, pop open a vitamin E gel-cap and massage the contents into your scalp. If the problem persists or worsens, you may have a more serious problem, in which case a trip to the dermatologist is recommended.
Help get rid of it by massaging your scalp with sea salts, which act as a mild exfoliant.
For dandruff and itchy scalps, add tea tree oil to your shampoo. You should use three drops per ounce of shampoo. To get the best results, leave it on for a few minutes.
What to do:
· Use good-quality hairbrushes and combs that are gentle on your hair and scalp. Shampoo daily and apply conditioner only to the ends.
· After washing your hair, try massaging ½ cup warm olive oil (which softens skin) into your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and leave for 20 to 30 minutes. Shampoo out and rinse well.
· Squeeze the juice of half of one large lemon directly onto your hair and scalp. Shampoo and rinse as usual. Squeeze the other half of the lemon in to two cups of water and rinse hair with mixture. Repeat every other day until dandruff disappears.
Some are of the opinion that at the early stages of hair loss, dandruff begins to increase. However, an increase in the amount of dandruff does not necessarily mean that there is a "cause-effect" relationship resulting in the thinning of hair.
You should think of excessive dandruff as a warning sign as far as the health of the hair is concerned.
Dandruff is made up of bits of dead skin that peel away from the scalp as a result of the effects of metabolism. Normally, dandruff, in its early stages of growth, is not visible to the naked eye. It becomes visible only after enlarging into pieces of dead skin (what we normally call "dandruff") as a result of the propagation of bacteria and/or problems with seborrhoeic scalp conditions.
Persons suffering from prolonged dandruff are said to have a dandruff ailment. This type of ailment, accompanied by itchiness, can lead to eczema if it worsens. Suppressing the propagation of bacteria is one means of dealing with fatty dandruff. This is because bacteria is one of the causes of this condition.
If possible, try to shampoo on a daily basis to prevent bacterial propagation. One effective means of dealing with dandruff is to disinfect the scalp area with commercially available medicated shampoos specifically designed for dandruff removal. However, daily shampooing can lead to eczema for persons who suffer from dry scalps. Shampooing once every three days may be ideal for such persons.
Persons who suffer from persistent, hard-to-cure dandruff are urged to consult a skin specialist.
Lemons can exfoliate and do the same for the scalp by ridding the flakes that are associated with dandruff. Just sprinkle the hair with half the juice of one lemon, save the other half and mix it with 2 cups of warm water.
Shampoo the lemon out of your hair and follow with the lemon/water rinse. Massage gently and rinse with clear water.
Once a week, crush 2 aspirin tablets and mix it with one ounce of shampoo. Lather it on your hair and gently scrub your scalp. Rinse well and condition as usual.
According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche, nutrition can play a big part in controlling dandruff.
To counteract the inefficient carbohydrates and fatty-acid metabloization which can cause dandruff, include plenty of B vitamins in your diet.
Nutritional yeast and raw wheat germ are two excellent sources of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6 which plays an important role in controlling dandruff.
Eggs and cabbage also provide vitamin B6 in addition to supplying sulfur which is nature's beauty mineral for the scalp.
Sometimes an allergy to daily products may cause dandruff in which case alternative food sources of vitamin B6 are preferred. Other common allergens which provoke dandruff are chocolate, nuts and shellfish.
Refined carbohydrates in white flour or sugar can cause dandruff and should be avoided as much as possible because they deplete the body of B vitamins. Saturated animal fats and trans-fatty acids found in margarine or shortening clog the arteries and interfere with the metabolization of the essential fatty acids. The good fats, found in nuts and flax seed benefit the body and promote healthy scalps.
Both tea tree oil and aloe is beneficial in combating dandruff. You can apply the aloe directly from a leaf of the plant and massage it into the scalp. Be sure to apply a good conditioner after shampooing since aloe may be drying.
Tea tree oil can be applied directly to the scalp or added to shampoo.
Here are some recipes:
Dandruff help
Ingredient:
1/2 cup warm olive oil
1) Massage into scalp.
2) Wrap your head in a towel and leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
3) Shampoo out and rinse well.
Dandruff help #2
Ingredients:
1 lemon
2 cups water
1) Squeeze the juice of half a lemon directly onto your hair and scalp.
2) Shampoo and rinse as usual.
3) Squeeze the other half with the water.
4) Rinse hair with mixture.
5) Repeat every other day until dandruff disappears.
Dandruff Help
Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
10 aspirin tablets, crushed fine
1) Combine and shake well in a clean bottle.
2) Massage onto scalp.
3) Leave for about five minutes.
4) Shampoo as usual.
Get Rid of Mild Dandruff
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/2 apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dried mint leaves
1) Boil the water and add to apple cider vinegar and dried mint leaves.
2) Allow the mixture to cool and strain out the mint.
3) Apply the solution after shampooing and rinse with cool water.
Dandruff Remover
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar
1) Combine ingredients then apply directly to the scalp.
2) Use before shampooing.
3) Apply twice a week.
For flaky, itchy scalp
This tip helps the problem and can prevent dandruff or control dandruff you may already have. You can buy any brand of mouthwash as long as it is an antiseptic one.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup antiseptic mouthwash
1/2 cup water
1) Mix ingredients.
2) Rinse your hair and scalp with it.
3) Massage it in and shampoo it out. For extreme scalp conditions, you can apply it to the scalp directly without diluting.