Come monsoon and dandruff, frizz, and hair fall become all too common. The change in weather takes a toll on your tresses because of the increased humidity and moisture in the air. If you’re looking for an affordable and natural solution, then look no further than the gharelu nariyal ka tel. The humble and versatile coconut oil can fix that frizz and help you arrest hair fall during the rainy season. If you’re wondering how to use coconut oil for dandruff? Use it at room temperature, or opt for a hot oil treatment where you wrap your hair in a towel to let the oil soak into the scalp.
On that note, let’s deep dive into understanding why coconut oil is good for dandruff and the benefits of using coconut oil during the rainy season.
2 Common Causes Of Dandruff
1. Fungus
A fungus called Malassezia is one of the primary causes of dandruff. Ordinarily, this fungus breaks down oils in your skin to maintain the sebum balance however, excessive quantities of this fungus on your scalp produces oleic acid, which irritates the scalp. This often leads to flakiness and oiliness of the scalp.
2. Oily Skin
Excessive secretion of oil on the scalp may lead to a type of dermatitis, wherein the flakes on the scalp are yellowish in colour. Using too many oils and not washing your hair enough can aggravate this scalp condition.
5 Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Dandruff (& Overall Hair Health):
1. Prevents Dandruff
How does coconut oil help dandruff? Coconut oil works as a wonderful moisturiser and conditioner, the lack of which often leads to the development of dandruff—especially if you have a dry scalp.
2. Contains Antifungal & Antimicrobial Properties
These properties are closely associated with treating and preventing dandruff. Virgin coconut oil can seep through the hair shaft and break down the cells of the fungi, controlling the development of dandruff.
3. Prevents & Treats Various Hair Conditions
Coconut oil is known for preventing a host of hair concerns like hair fall and baldness. Not just that, common hair problems like hair damage and split ends can also be successfully treated with this oil.
4. Improves Natural Pigment
The oil of coconut is known for improving the natural hair colour pigment. So, the next time you notice your hair colour looking naturally darker than usual, know that it is due to the coconut oil you’ve been massaging your hair with for quite some time.
5. Preserves Natural Protein
Your hair is primarily made of protein. And coconut oil helps in preserving it in your hair, making it strong.
5 Simple Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Dandruff
1. Coconut Oil & Neem Anti-Dandruff Mask
Neem is known for being an effective herbal treatment for dandruff due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 9-10 dried neem leaves
How To Use It
- Put the leaves in a mixer and crush them into a coarse powder.
- Blend this powder with coconut oil to get a paste.
- Apply this paste on your scalp in circular motions for 10 minutes.
- Let this stay on your scalp for a few hours.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
- Do this at least twice a week to see results.
2. Coconut Oil & Lemon For Dandruff
Lemon has acidic properties that make it a great natural remedy for treating dandruff. It soaks excess oil secretions on the scalp and removes toxic compounds. This helps in leaving the scalp moisturised and dandruff-free for quite a few days.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp of coconut oil
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
How To Use It
- For this coconut oil treatment for dandruff, blend the ingredients together to get an even mixture.
- Massage your scalp with this mask of coconut oil and lemon for dandruff, making your way from the root to the tip, for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Let this stay for an hour before rinsing it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
- Do this twice a week to make the most of the benefits of the ingredients.
3. Coconut Oil, Lemon & Baking Soda Anti-Dandruff Mask
Lemon, as we’ve already discussed earlier, has acidic properties that soak excess oil from the scalp. It maintains the right pH balance and also leaves the scalp well-hydrated and dandruff free for quite a few days. Baking soda is packed with anti-bacterial and cleansing properties, which is exactly what your scalp and hair need to stay free of oil and dandruff.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp of coconut oil
- 1 tbsp of baking soda
- 1 tsp of lemon juice
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
How To Use It
- Mix all the ingredients together to make a paste out of it.
- Massage the scalp and hair with this paste for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Let this stay for about 45 minutes.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
- Do this at least once a month to reap the results.
4. Coconut Oil & Honey Anti-Dandruff Mask
Honey is a natural humectant, which traps moisturise from the surrounding air and makes it available to your hair and scalp. It restores and maintains the natural pH balance of the scalp too, while its antibacterial properties keep dandruff away.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp of coconut oil
- 1 tbsp of honey
- 1 tsp yoghurt
- 1 tsp of olive oil
How To Use It
- Mix all the ingredients together to make a paste out of it.
- Massage the scalp and hair with this paste for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- How long to leave coconut oil in hair for dandruff? Let this stay for about an hour.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
- Do this at least once a week to reap the results.
5. Coconut Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, & Banana Anti-Dandruff Mask
Banana is rich in Vitamin B which is nutrition for your scalp and imparts a natural shine to your tresses. Apple cider vinegar, on the other hand, keeps your hair clean and gets rid of the dandruff on the scalp.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar
How To Use It
- Mash the banana into pulp with your hands or with the back of a fork.
- Blend this powder with coconut oil to get a paste.
- How to apply coconut oil to the scalp for dandruff? Apply this paste on your scalp in circular motions for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Let this stay on your scalp overnight. Put your hair up on your head and cover with a shower cover, so the past does not mess with your clothes or bed linen.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
- Do this at least once a week to see results.
6. Tea Tree Oil & Coconut Oil For Dandruff
Tea tree is a wonderful ingredient for reducing and preventing inflammatory conditions like dandruff on the scalp. It also strengthens your hair.
Ingredients
- 10 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp tea tree oil
How To Use It
- Blend the oils together and massage your scalp with them, to dissolve all the sebum.
- Next, apply the rest of the oil to the hair, from the root to the tips.
- Cover your hair with a warm towel or shower cap and let it stay for at least 30 minutes.
- Rinse off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
3 Possible Side-Effects Of Coconut Oil As An Anti-Dandruff Remedy
- Coconut oil may cause rashes, itchiness, hives and other skin reactions if your scalp is sensitive or you have eczema.
- You may not experience any side effects immediately after using it on your scalp. So, you’ll have to wait for several hours to see whether it suits your scalp.
- Most people who have dandruff also have seborrheic dermatitis as the underlying cause. In such cases, using coconut oil for dandruff may make the flakes thicker and oilier, apart from irritating your scalp.
FAQs
Q. Can coconut oil irritate the scalp?
A. Yes, coconut oil may cause irritation, if you have a sensitive scalp. It may also lead to rashes, hives, and other skin reactions. Do a patch test to be sure that this oil is suitable for you. Wait for a few hours during the patch test because skin reactions may not manifest themselves as soon as you do the test.
Q. Can coconut oil cause hair fall? Is coconut oil good for dandruff?
A. Coconut oil is one of the most effective home remedies for treating and preventing dandruff. However, overuse of coconut oil may cause hair loss. It may block hair follicles and grease your hair too much for it to cause hair breakage.
Q. How many times should I use coconut oil to reduce dandruff?
A. Use coconut oil once-twice a week for about a month to experience a visible change in dandruff. If it does not help the flakiness on your scalp, you may want to consult a dermatologist for him/her to treat your condition.
Dandruff is a very common condition for many of us, especially during the monsoons. Since it’s so rampant and often unavoidable, the trick lies in using the right home remedies to prevent and treat dandruff effectively. So, refer to the above DIY remedies with coconut oil for dandruff to keep scalp flakiness at bay, not just during monsoon but throughout the year.
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