Amidst taking care of our hair, preventing it from becoming dry and frizzy, and preventing hair loss, dandruff isn’t another problem we women need.
Dandruff is a nuisance to both health and confidence – it’s no joke. Adding to that, the incessant itching and the inflamed scalp just adds to the burden.
That’s why we have some effective remedies that will help you treat dandruff easily. If you follow this diligently, we are sure your dandruff will reduce and over time you won’t even have dandruff recurrence.
What’s the solution for my dandruff?
Aloe vera. You can use it raw or in the form of juice, gel, and even shampoo. Let me tell you more about aloe vera for dandruff.
Is Aloe Vera Good for Dandruff?
One of the most common skin conditions individuals face is dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. The recognition of dandruff is done by constant irritation, itching, and the presence of white flakes on your scalp, hair, and even clothes. Dandruff is also associated with mild occasional stinking, especially during cold and dry climatic conditions.
Studies suggest that Aloe Vera contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients such as Zinc, vitamins C, A, and E. These contribute to Aloe Vera's antifungal, antiseptic, and healing properties.
It also contains enzymes such as Bradykinase that help reduce inflammation and itching and fight the overgrowth of dandruff on the affected areas. Therefore, Aloe Vera makes an alternative affordable solution for natural dandruff treatment.
How does Aloe Vera Helps with dandruff?
Studies show that aloe vera can be used to treat seborrheic dermatitis, the skin condition that causes dandruff.
Aloe vera is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is often used to treat burns, wounds, and skin irritation.
Aloe vera’s anti-itching properties can relieve scalp irritation, and its antifungal properties can reduce dandruff. It also contains enzymes that help reduce inflammation caused by the irritation and itching that dandruff brings along with it.
Aloe Vera Benefits for Dandruff
Aloe vera has many benefits on one's body. One of which is fighting seborrheic dermatitis, which causes dandruff or flaky scalp. As per studies, Aloe vera is considered an effective home remedy for dandruff due to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties often help treat wounds, inflammation, and skin irritation conditions.
As per studies, the different distinctive properties present in Aloe vera that benefit in turning dandruff conditions all the way around are:
- Zinc: The presence of zinc helps maintain scalp hydration which reduces dryness and moisturises the breakouts of the scalp.
- Auxins, gibberellins, and lupeol: These fatty acids and hormones provide anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties to the Aloe vera, which helps with dandruff curing.
- Bradykinase and other enzymes: They help reduce inflammation when applied to the skin.
- Antioxidants such as polyphenols and alkaloids help inhibit bacterial growth and prevent cell damage.
The itch and flake caused on the skin occur when the natural barrier of your skin, which helps contain moisture within it, collapses. So, aloe vera acts as an agent to cure this breakdown with skin hydration and moisturise to prevent dryness.
Aloe Vera Hair Masks for Dandruff
Aloe vera hair masks help boost growth, regrowth, and conditioning of hair to prevent dandruff and further damage to hair and scalp. It has a moisturising and anti-inflammatory effect on the scalp.
1. Aloe Vera and Lemon for Dandruff
Lemon is enriched with vitamin C, which gives it an acidic nature. This acidic nature can be irritating on the scalp if applied alone. But when it gets combined with a cooling agent, aloe vera, its benefits for eliminating dandruff increase. You can make this mask by following these steps:
- Take half a cup of aloe vera gel and two tbsp of lemon juice.
- Mix them well and apply them directly to the scalp.
- Let it rest for about 30-40 minutes.
- Then wash with lukewarm water.
- Perform this only once a week
2. Aloe Vera, Honey, and Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff
This mask helps you to get rid of white flakes of the skin. Prepare this mask by following the steps mentioned below:
- Take one cup of fresh aloe vera gel, one tsp of honey, and two tsp of apple cider vinegar.
- Mix it well and apply it properly on the scalp along with the hair.
- Leave it for 20 minutes and then shampoo.
- Repeat this process two times a month.
3. Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil for Dandruff
This combination is a mild cleansing mix that helps in nourishing your hair and fights flakiness and itching. Coconut oil is enriched with anti-microbial properties that fight yeast cells’ fungal growth on your scalp. You can prepare this mask by following these steps:
- Take two tbsp aloe vera gel and one cup of coconut oil.
- Mix it well and massage it generously on your scalp.
- Let it rest for a couple of hours.
- Wash it with lukewarm water.
- Do this twice a week.
4. Aloe Vera, Olive Oil, and Curd for Dandruff
This is one of the best masks as it has moisturising properties that help in soothing the itchiness and redness of your scalp. They help regulate the production of excess sebum and fight yeast fungal growths. Olive oil is enriched with vitamins such as A and E, which strengthens your hair strands and follicles.
This mask can be prepared by following the steps mentioned below:
- Take two tbsp of aloe vera gel, one tbsp olive oil, and one cup of curd.
- Mix them well and apply them to your hair length and scalp.
- Cover it and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- Wash them with lukewarm water.
- Do this once a week.
How to Use Aloe Vera for Dandruff?
Aloe vera is a commonly available plant; you can find it in nurseries or grocery stores. It can be used directly by just extracting the transparent pulp present in the leaves of aloe vera. The process of extraction is very simple, as mentioned in the steps below:
- Cut the fresh green leaf of the plant into two using a piece of sharp equipment.
- Hold the leaf in the standing position and start scraping the gel into a jar.
- But before that, trim the sharp edges of the leaf.
- You can store this gel in a sealed container and keep it in the refrigerator for about a week to keep it fresh.
However, you can also get ready-made aloe vera gel for hair dandruff from online or offline stores such as drugstores, grocery, and retail shops.
The application of aloe vera gel is quite simple; you can apply it before or after the regular shampooing or hair care routine of your hair and scalp. You can follow some common steps mentioned below:
- Properly massage the gel generously to your hair and, more importantly, scalp.
- Let it rest for about 30 minutes before rinsing it using any mild aloe vera shampoo for dandruff or any other mild, regular shampoo.
- One should repeat this process about 2-3 times a week to acquire positive results.
What are the Other Ways to Remove Dandruff?
There are several other ways to manage or remove dandruff and get rid of frequent itching in a safe manner. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Maintain Hygiene: Take a bath regularly and shampoo your scalp and hair more often.
- Tea tree oil: Studies suggest the antifungal properties of tea tree oil can help you improve dandruff conditions by controlling the overgrowth of yeast cells.
- Probiotics: As per studies, taking probiotics can help in decreasing skin sensitivity boosting skin health and immunity.
- Baking soda: Applying baking soda with aloe vera gel on the scalp can reduce existing dandruff flakes and even prevent them from multiplying.
- Avoid External stress or pressure: As per studies, any kind of pressure or stress can trigger internal stress, which affects one's body by increasing itchiness and dryness. So, avoid taking the stress and calm yourself with exercise, journaling, talking to friends and family, or take professional help from a therapist if needed.
- Opt for safe Be Bodywise 1% Ketoconazole dandruff shampoo: As per studies, the 1% ketoconazole and salicylic acid in this product is considered to be one of the most effective antifungal agents used to treat dandruff flakes and inflammation associated with it.
This shampoo cleans your scalp and hair thoroughly and even prevents excess oil (sebum) production in the skin. It is the best available solution to get calm from frequent itching and scaling of seborrheic dermatitis.
Summing Up on Aloe Vera for Dandruff:
Being a common problem, dandruff is often neglected for many reasons. One of which can be side effects of anti-dandruff products present in the market. This persistent itching can be frustrating and may cause some discomfort or even inflammation in case of severe scalp scratching.
This constant worry of acceptance from surrounding people in case of dandruff visibility on clothes and hair can build extra stress, which will affect the quality of life you live. However, Aloe vera for hair dandruff has proved to be one of the safest, most effective, and readily available solutions for significantly reducing inflammation, sting, and itching by controlling dandruff.
Therefore, before giving up on dandruff, one should definitely try the aforementioned solutions to get positive results.
References
- S Ranganathan and T Mukhopadhyay, June 2010; Dandruff: the Most Commercially Exploited Skin Disease - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514/
- Amar Surjushe, Resham Vasani, 2008; ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
