Dermatologists agree that “virtually everyone” suffers from dandruff to some degree. So don’t feel bad, fellow
nerds. I have mild dandruff problems, and in my efforts to defeat that condition, stumbled upon a
treasure trove of a book called
The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies. The tips and quotes below are derived from that book. I haven’t tried all of them, but have had some luck in banishing those
unsightly flakes of skin. I hope they work for you.
Shampoo daily. This is pretty self-explanatory. It is generally a good idea, even if you don’t suffer from dandruff.
Use dandruff shampoo. There are different types of
dandruff shampoo – differentiated by their
active ingredient. The shampoos that contain
selenium sulfide or
zinc pyrithione slow down the
multiplication of scalp
cells and are reputed to produce the quickest result. Shampoos with
salicylic acid and
sulfur loosen dandruff
flakes so that they can be washed out easily.
Antibacterial shampoos, obviously, kill the bacteria on the scalp; this helps prevent
infection. And, finally,
tar-based shampoos slow down cell growth. The shampoo I use, which is a zinc pyrithione-based shampoo, doesn’t seem to be very
effective, but this is perhaps because my scalp has grown
tolerant to that particular type of shampoo (
read on).
Use tar-based formulas. Lather with the shampoos, and then allow it to work by leaving it in for five to ten minutes. Tar shampoos, once
infamous for their objectionable odor, are apparently much more pleasant nowadays. Keep that in mind if the smell has put you off in the past. Quick note: if you have light-colored hair, (“
blond or
silver”) it probably isn’t a good idea to use a tar-based shampoo, inasmuch as they can leave a
stain.
Lather twice. A good strategy is to
lather your hair up as soon as you get in the shower and leave it in as you wash your body. After you’ve done that, rinse off, and then shampoo your hair again. I have found this to be
temporarily effective, but I think I need to switch shampoos. Another thing you can try is to lather up, and then put a
shower cap on. Most people don’t leave the shampoo in their hair long enough for it to do its work.
Change your shampoo every once in a while. It’s a little known fact that your scalp can
adapt to the
ingredients found in your shampoo. It’s is a good idea, therefore, to change shampoos every few months.
For God’s sake, massage it in! Make sure you actually TOUCH your
scalp when you’re shampooing.
Massage it gently with your fingertips. This helps loosen your flakes, and gets the shampoo to where it is needed – THE SCALP. You shouldn’t use your
fingernails – for obvious reasons.
The Thyme Treatment. Thyme, apparently, has
antiseptic properties that help with your dandruff. Boil four tablespoons of dried thyme in two cups of water for ten minutes.
Strain it and let it cool. Pour half of it over your damp hair, making sure it gets to the scalp. Massage it in, but do not rinse. The
remainder can be used another day.
Don’t forget conditioner. Dandruff shampoos aren’t great for your hair, so make sure you use
conditioner.
The Olive Oil Treatment. This helps loosen dandruff
flakes. Heat a few ounces of
olive oil until it is warm. Wet your hair and apply the oil using a brush. Remember: you aren’t treating your hair, so try to get as much of the oil as possible onto the scalp. Leave it in for thirty minutes, and then wash it out using a dandruff shampoo.
Sunshine is good. Try to pull yourself away from your
PC every once in a while and take a walk outside. “UV light has an anti-
inflammatory effect on scaly skin conditions.”
And, of course, realize that dandruff is, in part, caused by stress. Take it easy. Kick back.
Thanks to CentrX and tribbel for the constructive critism. I have made some changes.