Dandruff can be a bothersome issue to have. It is often caused by having a dry scalp, which in turns creates flakes that are on the scalp and in the hair as well. If this is an issue that you have, you are most likely are looking for a way to treat it as well. There are a lot of home remedies that will promise to cure this ailment. One that is found to be the most effective though, is to use coconut oil. Using coconut oil to treat dandruff is something that has been used for some time, but may not be well known. This natural remedy is sure to help alleviate this issue.
Why it Works
It is thought that the reason coconut oil works as a home remedy, is because it works as a deep moisturizer in the hair and scalp. This moisturizing property is what will replenish the hydration in the scalp, hence no flakes. Because of this, those with thick coarse hair are often encouraged to use hot coconut oil hair treatments to treat and prevent the dandruff issue. Coconut oil also has some anti-fungal properties to offer. These anti-fungal properties can aid in the treatment of dandruff as well.
How to Use Coconut Oil to Treat Dandruff
In order to try this successfully at home, you will need to look at the options of coconut oil that are available. Most people recommend using Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil for this natural remedy. Buying this though, in its natural form it is solid. Coconut oil has a low melting point of 76 degrees so I will melt in your hands as you apply it to your scalp. However, if you prefer to have it in liquid form when you apply it to your scalp you will have to heat it up, which is as simple as popping it into the microwave for a few seconds.
You will need to determine the amount of oil that you are wanting to use. It is important to not use too much, as it can give hair a greasy dirty appearance if aren’t able to shampoo it out after your treatment. Using too much of this coconut oil can also cause build up on the scalp, which will completely defeat the purpose. It is recommended that you use one or two teaspoons at first to try and treat. If this isn’t quite enough, apply just a slight bit more the following attempt.
You will want to massage the oil directly into your scalp, so make sure to part the hair when applying. Do not scratch with your nails when massaging, as this will actually bring up more flakes into the hair. After you have thoroughly applied and massaged, place a shower cap or even a plastic bag around the hair. Leave the coconut oil on for about fifteen minutes, and then wash the hair well and condition. This may take a couple of attempts, so be sure to be patient and keep trying.
Using coconut oil as a home remedy for dandruff is an inexpensive way to get rid of this embarrassing issue. If after trying this out and seeing that it is effective, you should consider getting hot coconut oil treatments at home each week, as these will help as well to prevent it from coming back. Coconut oil for dandruff is a great start to that silky clean hair!
Image Credit: Hmochoa95 [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
