by Rachel of Beautifully Nappy
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Rinse
Mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water into a spray bottle. Spray on your hair and scalp. Massage it into your scalp gently. Leave it in your hair for about 5-15mins then rinse. Moisturize as desired (preferably with something light like coconut or jojoba oil). Repeat this process once or twice a week depending on the severity of dandruff.
Lemon
The acidity of freshly squeezed lemon juice as with ACV helps break down fungus that is often the cause of dandruff outbreaks. Massage 2 tablespoons of lemon into your scalp. Leave it in your scalp for about 2 mins. I know this will sting. Then mix 1 teaspoon of lemon with 1 cup of water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until no longer needed.You can also squeeze an entire lemon into a bowl and mix with 5-10 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it in for 20-30mins and rinse with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a weak.
Tea tree oil has been medically proven to be a natural antifungal and functions as a good disinfectant. You can mix 5-10 drops of tea tree oil in your shampoo and wash your hair as normal. However I find this method to be more effective; after shampooing your hair, mix 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil into 1 cup of warm water or Aloe Vera juice, spray into your scalp and let it sit for a few minutes. Pat the extra moisture out, but don’t wash it out.
Baking soda kills fungus and gently exfoliates the scalp of excess dead skin. You will need 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 cup of water and a few drops of rosemary oil (Optional). Mix 1 Table spoon of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water or 2 tablespoons with 2 cups of warm water and so on. Use an applicator bottle or clean empty shampoo bottle and apply the mix to your hair and scalp. Shake well before use. Use this in place of shampoo and rinse as normal. Use a light moisturizer like Jojoba oil afterwards. Repeat this once a week.
Salt is a natural exfoliator, it gets rid of extra oils and dead skin flakes. Rubbing it on your scalp will also help soothe the itchy feeling. You need 3 Table Spoons of salt (Epsom Salt or Dead Sea salts are great if you have them, but regular salt is okay too). Gently massage the 3 Table spoons of salt into your scalp while its dry or slightly damp for 2-3mins. Shampoo immediately afterwards. You can repeat this process once a week.
Eat Right
You all knew this was coming! I cannot stress how eating properly affects all aspects of our wellness. Eating well helps hair and nail growth as well as improvement of overall skin condition. Eat green leafy vegetables (raw in salad form or blended in juice form), this encourages healthy skin, hair and nail growth. Fish oils are also essential for beautiful hair and skin, taking Omega 3,6 and 9 supplements will not cure dandruff but will reduce the severity. Also, consider adding lean proteins like fish, eggs, nuts and beans to your diet.
Have a look at my previous post on scalp care here for the basics of how to prevent dandruff and encourage hair growth through scalp care.
What methods do you use to tackle dandruff?
Rachel Asakome is a nigerian naturalista trying to live as organically as possible. Her blog Beautifully Nappy is dedicated to getting girls with kinky (type 4c) hair to love their curls. You can also keep up with Rachel on Instagram @rachelasakome
