Winter is here and it’s brought with it the dreaded dandruff!
Dandruff in winters is usually caused by a dry scalp, which can feel itchy. This is the result of a combination of things—dry, cold air and an abundance of the Malassezia fungus.
To reduce and treat dandruff, you’ve got to use the right hair care products that are meant for the job. In the winter, we switch to the Ayush Anti Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner Range. Known for its antifungal properties, it's neem content helps get rid of impurities that may be causing the flakiness. However, as you might already know, just making this swap isn’t going to get rid of dandruff in a jiffy! You’ve got to invest in making a few lifestyle changes too! Here are a few things you can do to get rid of dandruff at home…
- 1. Brush your hair sufficiently
- 2. Drink more water
- 3. Avoid direct heat
- 4. Change your towel
- 5. Change your diet
- 6. Cut down on sugar
- 7. Apply allicins
- 8. Oil your hair
- 9. Reduce stress
- 10. Don’t colour your hair
- 11. A few home remedies that you can try…
1. Brush your hair sufficiently
Stimulating the scalp increases blood circulation thus increasing the secretion of oils that keep hair and scalp healthy. A well-nourished scalp implies one that is free of flakes.
2. Drink more water
During winters, we often forget to drink water; something that dehydrates the skin and hair, causing more dandruff. The average consumption limit is set at 5 liters a water a day, but you can make do with 4 liters if it’s getting too cold!
3. Avoid direct heat
Heat is one of the most common causes of a flaky scalp. Hairdryers are so commonly used in the winter because wet hair can lead to headaches and colds. But direct contact with heat—such as ironing sticks and hairdryers—make the scalp dry. Instead, towel-dry your hair and then let it dry naturally.
4. Change your towel
Yes, Turkish towels are fuzzy and comfy to use, but the ideal towel to wipe your hair is the pure cotton one. The rough texture of the Turkish towel isn’t ideal for your hair and can lead to more frizz. Ideally, once you’re done washing your hair, you should wipe it dry with a cotton t-shirt.
5. Change your diet
One way to get rid of dandruff is to alter your diet.
Vitamin B, zinc, and omega 3 are excellent sources of nutrition for the hair and scalp. Include fruits and raw salads in your diet. Eggs, fish, bananas and spinach are powerful sources of these nutrients.
6. Cut down on sugar
We’ve already mentioned how sugar is detrimental to your skin. Turns out, it’s bad for the hair too! High levels of sugar in the blood cause excess oily flakes, increasing dandruff in the winter. Reduce your intake of sugar and substitute it with honey or jaggery.
7. Apply allicins
Onions and garlic have high allicin levels, which have anti-fungal qualities. Try a common dandruff home remedy—apply onion juice or garlic juice mixed with honey to the scalp, and rinse it after about 15 minutes.
8. Oil your hair
Oil your hair before every head bath. Coconut oil is the best form of hydration for the scalp and the hair. You can also mix a few oils using coconut oil as the base—namely, olive oil, neem oil, almond oil, and castor oil in equal measure. Heat the oil slightly and apply it from scalp to tip. Wash it off with a mild shampoo. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil, a known dandruff remedy.
9. Reduce stress
Stress aggravates any existing condition, so mild dandruff becomes severe when you’re dealing with too much strain. Cut down on the stress, through exercise, yoga, sufficient sleep and a healthy diet. Keep that negativity at bay!
10. Don’t colour your hair
An itchy scalp is further aggravated with chemical products like hair colour, strong shampoos, and styling products. Avoid using these in the winter since the scalp is prone to dryness.
11. A few home remedies that you can try…
i) Apple Cider Vinegar –
Mix apple cider vinegar with water in equal measure and spray the mixture on your hair after rinsing off your shampoo. Keep it on for 5 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
ii) Baking Soda –
Use baking soda to exfoliate the scalp. Rinse it off and wipe gently. Do not use shampoo or soap on the hair on the day you use baking soda.
iii) Honey and Lemon –
Honey is a natural moisturiser and keeps the scalp hydrated, while lemon keeps the itching at bay. Take 3 tbsp of honey and add a few drops of lemon. Apply this on your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
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Written by Ashna Mitra on 8th Dec 2017