Dandruff is an extremely common scalp condition affecting most of the people post their pubertal age. It can affect people of any ethnicity and sex. Dandruff is basically the flaking of dead cells from the scalp. When skin cells die, a small amount of shedding is expected. But some people go through an abnormally large amount of flaking. This is usually either chronicle or the effect of some trigger. Dandruff sometimes is accompanied by irritation, itching and redness.

The severity of flaking can every so often vary with season as it usually deteriorates in winter. Dandruff is quite unheard of before puberty. It peaks during the teenage years and early twenties and lessens with age thereafter.

Causes for dandruff

The following are some of the most unexceptional reasons that might cause dandruff:

• People with sensitive and oily skin are likely to get affected by dandruff. They will have greasy and red skin with flaky yellow and white scales.
• Brushing and combing hair regularly aids to shedding of skin. People who do not brush or comb regularly are more prone to dandruff than the ones who do.
• Yeast sensitive people have a higher chance of getting affected by dandruff. These people often find that the severity of flakes increases during winters and not so much during summers.
• Dry skin is another cause for dandruff. People with dandruff because of this reason, tend to have non-oily small flakes of dandruff.
• People with certain skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and others tend to get affected by dandruff more often than others.
• Weak immune system is also said to cause dandruff
• Reactions to a few skin and hair products are said to leave people with red and itchy scalp.
• It is said by few experts that people who don’t feed on food with enough vitamin B, some types of fat, and zinc are likely to get affected by dandruff
• It is believed by experts that there is relation between skin problems and stress

Symptoms of dandruff

Following are the symptoms that often accompany dandruff:

• Scaly and itchy scalp
• White or yellow oily flakes
• Dead skin in the hair or on shoulders
• New born babies may get a crusty and thick rash on the scalp

How to use apple cider vinegar for dandruff

Apple cider vinegar works best out of all natural and home-made ingredients that you can use. It is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, restores the moisture level, doesn’t contain chemicals, and helps in opening clogged hair follicles.

Following are a few ways that you can use apple cider vinegar to get rid of dandruff:

1. Apple cider vinegar application on the scalp

This is one of the easiest ways to apply ACV. Take some ACV in a small bowl, depending upon the thickness of your hair. Soak a small cotton ball in the ACV. Partition your hair and apply the apple cider vinegar. Keep applying until the entire scalp is covered and then start massaging gently. Let the ACV open up your scalp pores by wrapping your head and hair with a warm towel. Rinse your hair with warm water after an hour. Repeat this for two days a week for one month to get rid of dandruff completely. Remember to not use shampoo after applying ACV on your scalp.

2. Water and ACV for dandruff

Take some lukewarm water in a bowl and add ACV to it. Stir the mixture and pour it in a spray bottle. Separate your hair in small portions and spray this mixture on the scalp. Keep repeating till your entire scalp and hair is covered. Wrap a shower cap for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse your hair with warm water after. Keep doing this once a week till you get rid of dandruff entirely.

3. Apple cider vinegar with Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a white coloured plant of the pea family. It has aromatic seeds, mainly used for flavouring. Grind or blend a few of these seeds, add some apple cider vinegar to it and mix well. Apply this mixture onto the scalp and leave it for a few minutes. Rinse your head with warm water and repeat this process regularly.

4. ACV with peppermint leaves

Peppermint leaf contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which helps in reducing the itchy feeling caused by dandruff. Due to these healing properties of peppermint leaves, this remedy is very effective to cure dandruff.

Boil some water in a saucepan for a few minutes and add peppermint leaves and ACV to it. Let this mixture steep properly for at least two hours and then pour it in a spray bottle. Apply this on your scalp and massage gently for 5 minutes. Rinse your hair after and use it every day to get rid of dandruff effectively.

5. ACV with grape seed oil and cornmeal

Mix 2 tablespoon of cornmeal with 1 tablespoon ACV. Add half cup grape seed oil to this mixture. Apply it on your scalp and keep it on for an hour. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and repeat this regularly for best results.

6. ACV with essential oil mix

This remedy consists of rosemary, lavender and lemon grass. Rosemary is loaded with anti-fungal properties. Lavender is also a rich source of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Lemon grass helps in killing fungus that is one of the causes for dandruff because of its anti-fungal properties. Take some water in a bowl and add ACV to it. Mix some rosemary, lavender and lemon grass essential oils in it and whisk properly. Take a cotton ball and apply this mixture on your scalp after shampooing. Massage your scalp for 5-10 minutes and leave it to dry. Rinse your hair and repeat this remedy once a week to get rid of dandruff.

7. ACV and yogurt

Yogurt is extremely beneficial for your hair health and scalp since it contains vitamin B and lots of protein. Yogurt helps in reducing scalp irritation since it is a good anti-bacterial agent. Mix yogurt and ACV in a bowl and apply the mix onto your scalp. Massage your scalp thoroughly and rinse your hair with cold water after 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy once a week.

8. ACV with tea tree oil

A fungus called Malassezia is one of the main causes of dandruff. Tea tree oil helps in killing this fungus owing to its anti-fungal properties. Mix half cup water, 5 drops of tea tree oil and half cup unfiltered ACV in a bowl. Soak a cotton ball with this mixture and apply it on your scalp. Massage your scalp for a few minutes and then wash your hair with warm water. Repeat this every alternate day if your dandruff is severe.

9. ACV with lemon juice oil and tea tree oil

We know tea tree oil is effective in treating dandruff. Olive oil has moisturizing properties. It will moisturize the dry part of the scalp and help in treating dandruff. Olive oil also helps in hydrating the scalp. Mix a quarter cup ACV, 5 drops of tea tree oil, and half tablespoon of olive oil in one cup water and mix properly. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and apply it on your scalp. Wear a shower cap for 30 minutes and rinse your hair using a mild shampoo after.

10. Apple cider vinegar with honey

Honey consists of minerals like calcium, manganese, magnesium and vitamins like C, D, E, and A which makes honey an effective remedy for dandruff when mixed with apple cider vinegar. Honey also helps in hydrating the scalp and moisturizes it. Mix 3 tablespoon raw honey, 1/3 cup ACV and half cup water in a bowl and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray this mix on your scalp and cover your hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse your hair with a mild shampoo and repeat this process once a week for fast and effective results.

11. ACV with fresh mint

Mix one tablespoon mint leaves, half cup apple cider vinegar, and one cup water in a saucepan and heat it in low flame for approximately two minutes. Let the mixture cool down and strain the mint leaves. Shampoo and condition your hair and then apply this mixture. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse your hair. Repeat this remedy regularly for best results.

12. Apple cider vinegar with rosemary and witch hazel

Whisk one tablespoon rosemary oil, a few drops of witch hazel and one cup ACV in a bowl and apply this mixture on your scalp after shampooing your hair. Comb your hair after massaging it for three minutes. Leave it on for around 20-30 minutes and then rinse your hair with cold water to get rid of dandruff.

Precautions for dandruff

Following are a few precautions that should be taken to avoid dandruff:

• Avoid using other’s combs, especially of a person having dandruff. Dandruff is known to be contagious like head lice
• Shampoo and condition at least once a week
• Don’t leave your hair wet for a long period of time