It’s winter and the air is dry. Scalp feeling a little itchy? The winter months are prime months for dandruff; a scalp condition no one wants to talk about.
Dandruff can be caused by dry skin, irritated and oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis), not shampooing often enough, psoriasis (a skin disorder that causes an accumulation of dead skin cells), eczema, hair product sensitivity (contact dermatitis), or a yeast-like fungus (malassezia). Almost anyone can have dandruff but those who are male, in young adulthood to middle age, have oily hair or scalps, poor diet, and/or certain illnesses seem to be affected most.
When dandruff appears many people run out and buy an expensive anti-dandruff shampoo. However end results are mixed. A recent report stated that applying conditioner after shampooing seems to rinse away it’s effectiveness, so you should avoid conditioner after using an anti-dandruff shampoo.
We’ve found a cheaper and more green solution to dandruff control: Apple Cider Vinegar. If you can get past the scent, apple cider vinegar will help restore the proper acid/alkaline balance of the scalp. It also works well to rinse away any product residue you have in your hair.
We recommend making a solution of half vinegar and half water and applying it to a dry scalp in the shower. Rub scalp with your fingers but don’t scratch. Continue your normal shower routine and then rinse or wash out. If the scent bothers you or makes you feel self conscious, we suggest doing this first thing before bed or on a day when you’ll be hanging around at home.
Do this routine a couple of times a week until the dandruff disappears and then once every one to two weeks as a preventative measure. We also encourage you to wash your hair every other day rather than every day. Washing every day strips the scalp of it’s natural oils causing it to produce more oil. While your hair may seem more oily at first, rest assured that your scalp will correct itself.
Have another all natural dandruff remedy? Share it with us in the comments section below.
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I’ve heard this before but never tried it. Certainly would be cheaper than the other alternatives in the shampoo aisle. I’ll be curious to see what other natural remedies people suggest.
It really does work! Tea Tree Oil works as well, but I’ve found not a good.