Unsightly as flakes can be, if dandruff starts clinging to your shoulders, do whatever it takes to get rid of them! Whether this is a recent issue or something that’s lingered for a while, don’t give up. On the contrary: tackle it with a few solid steps! Perseverance and patience will take care of the rest…
Desquamation, the shedding of the outermost layer of the epidermis in the form of fine and minuscule dust, is a normal phenomenon. The appearance of dandruff, however, always signals an imbalance in the scalp’s delicate components. That’s why you need to act against dandruff.
They are most often dry, and their nuisance is mainly cosmetic, sometimes social as well. They respond fortunately very well to natural treatments. In some cases, and particularly on scalps with a tendency toward oiliness, dandruff can also become oily.
Why dandruff?
If the sudden appearance of these unsightly flakes forces you to abandon wearing dark clothes, or makes you feel very uncomfortable… First suspect a possible change in habits: a shampoo that’s too stripping, an alcohol-heavy lotion that isn’t well suited to your needs, brushing too vigorously, or excessive blow-drying… All of these “too much” factors can indeed trigger dandruff very quickly, practically from one day to the next.
Other causes are more subtle. A high level of fatigue, overwork, or stress, for example, can be enough to trigger excessive desquamation.
In more than 80% of cases, dandruff would actually originate from a fungus, the Pityrosporum ovale, normally present in the scalp’s makeup, but which can proliferate under the influence of certain factors, including those listed above. In this case, one good solution: get to the root and treat the cause, so that the dandruff, which is then only one symptom, disappears.
What can you do when dandruff appears?
First, of course, address the overly vigorous habits that could be at the root of the problem. Then adopt a healthier lifestyle, so that fatigue, stress, or overwork fade a bit from the scene.
The presence of dandruff often goes hand in hand with nervous tension. If you want it to disappear, also take action from the inside: embrace relaxation, yoga, anything that helps you unwind. Also, know that simply avoiding certain foods—alcohol and spicy dishes in particular—can sometimes improve the situation.
Finally, choose lotions and shampoos that, by helping the scalp regain its balance, treat or prevent dandruff. Better yet, prepare them yourself—very simply, we assure you—yourself!
Dandruff remedies: removing them naturally
Here are a few plant-based options to help you bid farewell to these tiny problems, nevertheless wonderfully embarrassing…
The nettle
It’s nettle season: take advantage of it, they’re great for improving scalp irrigation, and thus contributing to its balance. Do a small harvest away from roads, and with gloves, of course.
For a variant, more sophisticated — but which will benefit you even longer:
- Put in a large glass jar a big handful of nettles and a handful of oregano flowers, and cover with 60% alcohol.
- Let macerate for 2 to 3 weeks in the sun, or at least in a well-tempered room, then strain.
- Massage your scalp morning and night with the equivalent of one tablespoon of this potion.
The horsetail
Horsetail is the great friend of all hair, whether as a lotion to calm possible irritations, soothe the scalp and especially if you have dandruff, or in beverage form, since it provides the minerals your hair needs.
- Pour 150 g of horsetail into one liter of boiling water.
- Let it simmer on low heat for half an hour.
- Let cool, apply, massage gently, then rinse!
Meanwhile, enjoy it also on the inside:
Prepare the same decoction, strain, and drink two cups per day.
The watercress
Watercress is also your ally, and here too, it’s best to use it twice as much:
- Massage your head every morning with watercress juice.
- To reinforce the effect of this genuinely natural remedy, drink a small glass on an empty stomach each morning!
