Treating Dandruff With Natural Solutions

happy senior woman caressing her hair

No one is immune to the possibility of dandruff. In fact, millions of women deal with this itchy ailment every day.

Flaky skin across the scalp isn’t just an aesthetic issue either. Did you know that untreated dandruff often leads to hair and skin problems too?

In this article, you’ll learn all there is to know about dandruff and its natural solutions. Living with this condition isn’t the only choice.

Start out with a look at what dandruff really is from a scientific perspective. Knowing what you’re dealing with can take the mystery away from this condition.

what is dandruff

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is defined by white flakes found on the shoulders and within the hair itself. These flakes are dead skin cells that have fallen away from the scalp.

How does dandruff occur anyway? Its root cause comes from a microbe found on the skin called Malassezia globosa.

Every person in the world has this microbe on their scalps. It feeds on the oils found at the follicles.

Dandruff occurs, however, when the body becomes sensitive to the microbe’s activities. It produces oleic acid, which irritates millions of people’s scalps.

The body responds with inflamed skin and excess tissue falling from the scalp.

Obvious symptoms of dandruff include flaky skin, but there are more subtle characteristics listed below:

Dry Scalp

As flaky skin becomes chronic, the scalp has an unbalanced level of oily-to-dry conditions. The result is dry scalp.

The scalp cannot hold critical moisture within the skin layers when flakes are constantly falling away. Women’s scalps might feel tight and uncomfortable as a result.

Dry scalp is one of the first symptoms of dandruff.

Inflamed Skin

Any skin imbalance usually encourages the body to send blood to the affected area. Inflamed skin is an indicator of dandruff.

The scalp remains red and irritated until there’s a solution to the dandruff problem.

Itchy Conditions

If you notice that you scratch your scalp more often than not, there may be a dandruff issue at play. The scalp is irritated, so women naturally reach up to relieve the itchy sensation.

Most people don’t realize that there are several different types of dandruff. Read on to learn more about these details.

types of dandruff

Types of Dandruff

Flakes that waft down from the scalp and onto the shoulders can differ from person to person. There are actually six different types of dandruff.

All of them originate from imbalances across the scalp. They may even look different if you look closely at the flakes.

Explore the different types of dandruff right now so that the cause is almost immediately recognizable.

Fungal Related

You’re already familiar with the microbe Malassezia globosa, which is present on everyone’s scalps. A fungal infection involving this microbe is a specific type of dandruff.

The scalp becomes inflamed, and itchy conditions persist. Women might scratch the scalp even more than normal.

White flakes may increase in volume during a fungal infection.

Dry Skin

When you think of dandruff, dry skin often comes to mind. This dandruff type is the most common during the winter.

Heaters cause dry skin across the body, including the scalp. The flakes are textbook shapes and colors.

Oil Related

Dandruff that has a yellow tint to it is related to oily conditions. People with oily scalps might develop dandruff as the body tries to balance out the sebum production.

Psoriasis Flakes

Psoriasis is characterized by patchy skin sections that have excess tissue. These patches can arise around and on the scalp.

A person with psoriasis might scratch at the patches, which turns into dandruff found in the hair.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Issues

This skin ailment occurs where there are many sweat glands, such as on the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis along the scalp creates excess skin cells that turn into dandruff.

Treating the dermatitis will usually clear up this type of dandruff.

Product Buildup

Some women go a bit overboard when it comes to hair products. Hairspray, mousse, gel and other products may be presumably washed out of the hair each day, but residual particles remain.

The residue combines with the scalp’s dead skin cells. The result is flaky dandruff that only worsens with more product use.

The different types of dandruff will naturally lead to a question about causal effects. What causes dandruff anyway?

We’ve already hinted at the main causes, but there are other issues at play too. Know all about dandruff causes as every woman solves their beauty issues.

woman checking her scalp

Causes of Dandruff

It’s possible to have a single or combination of causes for dandruff. Here are the most common causes of dandruff known today:

Weather Changes

The skin acclimates easily to mild changes in the weather, but extreme swings can cause dandruff. Low or high humidity coupled with wind might create conditions ripe for dandruff production.

Dry Skin

If a woman has chronic dry skin, it will appear in the hair and on the shoulders. It happens to be more noticeable on dark hair, for example.

Poor Diet

Eating too much junk food and skipping your fruits and vegetables is a recipe for dandruff. The body needs a nutrient balance, including fatty acids, in order to support healthy skin.

Hormonal Fluctuations

Women entering menopause have changing hormones that influence the skin’s sebum production. Too much oil will create dandruff.

Yeast Growth

Natural fungus found on the scalp may grow out of control at some point. Infections that persist will also cause dandruff.

Hygiene

Forgoing a shower for too long will create imbalances on the scalp. Ignoring a medical issue, including psoriasis, can also create dandruff.

Health Issues

Psoriasis and dermatitis contribute to dandruff problems. Flaky skin is part of both conditions.

Allergies

Some women might be allergic to their shampoos, conditioners or hair products. Look at the ingredients coming into contact with the scalp.

Removing just one ingredient from a beauty routine can calm dandruff issues.

Hair Products

Going natural with the hair might be the easiest way to fight off dandruff. Without products building up in the hair, the scalp can find a natural balance.

Controlling dandruff can be accomplished with anti-dandruff shampoos. Explore this subject because these products can be extra helpful for every woman.

woman choosing between two shampoos

Choosing Anti-Dandruff Shampoos

Most anti-dandruff shampoos are clearly marked on their retail labels. Women don’t have to follow only these cues, however.

There are certain ingredients that contribute to a quality product. Explore these main ingredients that can help a dandruff-prone scalp:

Tea Tree Oil

Fight off fungal growth and infections with tea tree oil. This essential oil is full of nutrients that nourish the scalp.

By bringing balance back to the scalp, dandruff might disappear.

Be sure to choose a product with a mixture of tea tree oil and other ingredients. Pure, tea tree oil can be too intense for sensitive skin.

Salicylic acid

Seek out this ingredient as a good exfoliant. It removes dead skin during the shampooing process so that there are no flakes left to drop afterward.

Use this shampoo type with a moisturizing conditioner in order to balance out the exfoliating power.

Selenium sulfide

This ingredient plays two roles. It calms the sloughing-off process that the skin performs every day. Selenium sulfide also fights off fungi growth at the scalp.

If a woman chooses this ingredient as their main tool against dandruff, try to alternate products for the best efficacy. Use tea tree oil today while turning to selenium sulfide tomorrow.

The alternation allows each ingredient to work at optimal levels each time.

Ketoconazole

When a woman knows that a fungal issue is at play, using ketoconazole is an option. In fact, many shampoos include this ingredient because it’s so effective.

Be aware that some shampoos have varying concentrations of ketoconazole. Start out with a mild formula to avoid any irritation.

Coal tar

Tar ingredients encourage the body to slow down its skin production. The skin holds onto its tissue a bit longer than normal.

The result is less dandruff than before and a healthy scalp.

Although treating dandruff is a common solution, many women just want to avoid dealing with it in the first place.

Read on to learn more about dandruff prevention. Stopping the flakes before they start is always the goal.

middle-aged woman combing her hair

How to Prevent Dandruff

Simple tips can make a huge difference for women with dandruff. Follow these tips to prevent dandruff in most cases:

Hydrate

Drinking more water each day will balance out the skin’s sebum production.

Avoid Scratching

Keep your hands away from the scalp to reduce flakiness.

Cut Down on Carbohydrates

A diet rich in sugars or carbohydrates will give rise to dandruff. Look for a more plant-based diet with limited sugars.

Wash the Hair More Often

Some women only wash their hair once or twice a week. This practice only encourages dandruff production.

Wash the hair more often, including a daily wash for those hot days. The dandruff will abate as a result.

Exfoliate the Scalp

Find a shampoo that has exfoliating properties. Use it at least once a week to see a difference in the dandruff’s volume.

Stop the Flakes With an Updo

Hair that flows down will allow flakes to fall too. Women should try hairdos that are fixed in place, such as ponytails or buns.

The flakes won’t have a chance to fall. These hairdos also force women to keep their fingers away from the scalp.

There are natural oils that can help any person dealing with dandruff. Explore the best options below.

nautral products for hair

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally

Try these natural solutions to stop dandruff in its tracks:

Tea Tree Oil

This oil balances out the scalp and provides anti-inflammatory assistance.

Coconut Oil

Mix this oil with tea tree oil for a soothing solution for dandruff. It’s a natural moisturizer for the skin and hair.

Olive Oil

The fatty acids within olive oil can moisturize the scalp when used as an overnight mask.

Pantry Staples

Garlic, lemon, baking soda and salt can all be used individually for dandruff control.

Another natural solution to seek out is argan oil. This mysterious oil can give women the relief that they desire.

Argan Oil for Dandruff

The best way to treat any beauty issue is with a natural solution that targets multiple areas. Your answer can be in argan oil.

This oil comes from Morocco where it’s carefully cultivated from tree nuts. Because the oil is so pure, many nutrients remain in the liquid for your benefit.

Two nutrients that are perfect for your scalp and hair include:

  • Fatty acids
  • Vitamin E

Both of these nutrients contribute to balanced skin. The scalp might be itchy, tight and dry.

Adding argan oil into a beauty routine brings critical moisture to the scalp. Normal, sebum production can resume on the scalp, which leads to less dandruff than before.

Did you know that argan oil fights inflammation too? Redness that used to be the norm can now calm down.

Argan oil also has antiseptic qualities, which heals the skin and hair so that dandruff can slowly decline in volume.

Do you know how to use argan oil for dandruff? Try the following recipe for a homemade hair mask right now.

Homemade Anti-Dandruff Hair Mask

The best solutions tend to be homemade varieties. There’s a simple mask that can be made for anti-dandruff purposes.

Collect these two ingredients from your bathroom and kitchen, including:

  • Argan oil
  • Brown sugar

Mix approximately one part oil to two parts sugar. Gently coat the hair and scalp with the mixture.

Rub the mixture within the hair until every area is saturated. Cover the hair with a warm towel.

Rinse the hair with warm water after about 10 minutes.

The sugar acts as an exfoliant for the scalp while the argan oil nourishes the hair shaft and skin. Try this mask at least once a week for the best results.

Exploring dandruff solutions gives women control over their beauty issues. It’s time to finish off this primer and try the solutions out.

Dandruff recap

Dandruff may not seem like such a frustration after employing these tips. There are simple solutions that can be incorporated into a daily routine.

In this article, you gained a wider perspective of dandruff and its solutions, as shown in the infographic below.

Tackle any dandruff issues with these clever tips. Women across the world will enjoy the empowerment that these beauty routines bring to everyday life.

Do you have a dandruff tip that complements this advice? Go ahead and share your experience with other women in the comment section below.

The secret to dandruff control might be found in a tiny piece of advice from readers like yourself. There’s strength in numbers when it comes to beauty advice and dandruff relief.

Expand your beauty routine with argan oil today!