Dandruff

Dandruff, also known as Scruff, is the shedding of dead skin on the scalp. If we take proper hair care, dandruff can be cured and also make your hair healthy, beautiful, long, and dandruff free hair.
Usually dandruff will be less in summer when compared to winter.

Causes of Dandruff:

Theories suggests that dandruff is a natural process, which is caused by the flaking of the scalp. Just like our body sheds dead skin, so does the scalp. When this skin is shed at an excessive rate, it causes to dandruff.

It is also a belief that dandruff is also caused by a dry scalp and it is often also caused by an oily scalp. As such that excessive oil in the hair forms as layer on the scalps, when it dries, and then thickenss, this layer flakes off in the form of dandruff.

It is also caused by inproper attention towards hair as due to fungus on the scalp whch can be controlled but not completely eraticate it. There is speculation that dandruff is linked with hair loss, as dandruff may indicate an unhealthy scalp.

Other Internal Causes:

* Poor health
* Lack of rest
* Excessive stress
* Excessive intake of sugar, fat and oily foods
* Hormonal imbalance
* Sweeting due to excercise
* Poor hygiene
* Improper nutrition

Other External Causes:

* Excessive use of shampoos
* Excessive use of hairsprays and gels.
* Improper use of hair-coloring products or excessive use of electric hair curlers
* Tight fitting hats and scarves.
* Cold weather and dry indoor heating.
* Infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing.

Treatment for Dandruff:

External treatment: External treatment includes using anti-dandruff shampoos or using anti-fungal shampoos. Massaging the scalp with certain specific oils also can help reduce the flaking of the scalp.

Relaxation treatment: Treatments like meditation and yoga help the body and mind to relax which in turn leads to reduction of stress which control the skin from flaking.

Nutritional treatment: Nutritional treatment includes eating good nutritious food. Intake of more liquids, more fruits and juices, a balnced diet and proper sleep of 7-8 hours will helps in avoiding the occurrence of dandruff. Avoiding excess of salt, sugar and alcohol also helps.

Naturopathy treatments: Various home made natural treatments are available for curing of dandruff and it can done at home which reduces and cures dandruff if dome in regular intervals. You can find some remedies in the following section.

Home Cure and Remedies:

The following are the simple dandruff treatments that you can do at home.

1.Before applying shampoo, massage the scalp with salt for some time and then wash it off.

2.Take some curd and add the juice of half or one lemon. Put this mixture evenly on the scalp and hair. Keep for about half an hour and then wash with mild shampoo. Do this more frequently and the occurrence of dandruff will reduce drastically. Curd improves the texture and softness of your hair. Avoid this for people who catch up cold easily as curd has a cooling effect on the head.

3.Mix egg white with one lemon juice and apply on the scalp and rest it for an hour. Then wash it off with warm water and a cider vinegar in water as a last rinse. This is a very good dandruff treatment.

4.Rub half of the lemon on the scalp before taking a shower. Don’t do this before every shower.

5.Apply grated carrots to the scalp and leave for some time and then wash off as usual.

6.Soak fenugreek seeds in curd at night and morning grind it into fine paste add lemon juice little bit you can also add shikakai powder, amla powder also with this, apply to hair and scalps and wait for 1/2 hr and wash with warm water, is a good conditioning and helps in reducing dandruff and reduces hair loss.

7.Apply poppy seeds grounded with milk on the scalp. Wash the hair with herbs like shikakai or with a plain water.

8.Boil dry tea leaves in water,strian it and keep it for cooling add a lemon, some curd(optional), shikakai powder and amla powder . Make a paste and apply this on the scalp and hair and leave for an hour. Wash as usual. This gives a shine to the hair and is a good dandruff cure.

9.Heat 3 portion of olive oil and add 1 part of honey to it and massage this mixture to your hair and wrap a hot towel (dip towel in hot water and squeze it) or steams the hair with steamer.
10.Gently massage the scalp with brandy and then wash off.

11.Use some warm coconut oil and add 1/2 lemon to it and apply this to hair and leave it overnight and shampoo it off in the morning.

12.Mix 2 tsp of vinegar with 6 tsp of water and apply it,now wrap a towel before going to bed and head-bath in the morning.