Home remedies for dandruff: Does applying coconut oil and lemon help?

Pesky, flaky white bits on hair are not exactly anybody’s idea of fun! While it is not a very dangerous health problem, it can be pretty annoying to have dandruff because of all the itching it causes. Since dandruff is one of the most common scalp conditions, it is not unusual for grandmothers and mothers to come up with some intriguing home remedies. One such home remedy that has been passed down for generations is using coconut oil mixed with lemon for dandruff. While moms have the best remedies up their sleeves, let’s find out if using coconut oil and lemon for dandruff is a good idea or not.

Did you know that dandruff manifests on an oily scalp? Studies suggest that dandruff feeds on the oils your scalp produces. The oil that accumulates and builds up on the scalp can cause dandruff. While the most common cause is believed to be not shampooing your hair enough, it is not the only cause of dandruff. It is not a serious disease but it should not be left untreated as it can cause the scalp to get really dry and itchy. Also, you can use home remedies to get rid of dandruff, but everything you use might not work for you. Case in point: coconut oil and lemon for dandruff.

Does using coconut oil mixed with lemon for dandruff work?

Raise your hand if you have ever used coconut oil and mixed lemon in it to get rid of dandruff. While many people might use it, Dr Seema Oberoi Lall, Consultant Dermatologist at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, recommends not to use it for dandruff. Numerous factors such as dry skin, fungal overgrowth, or other underlying conditions might contribute to dandruff. “It is not a good idea to use any type of oil for dandruff because it usually breeds on an oily scalp because of the colonization of a fungus called Petrospora Mobile. So, if you apply coconut oil on a scalp that has dandruff, it will only aggravate the problem,” she explains.

While coconut oil nay be bad for an oily scalp, adding lemon to the mixture, is even worse for someone dealing with dandruff, says Dr Lall. For a scalp that has got some rashes or seborrheic dermatitis or some irritation on it, lemon will make it sting. So it is not a good idea to use these together on your scalp if you have dandruff.

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How to get rid of dandruff!

Home remedies may not be the best solution for a scalp filled with dandruff. Studies have found that not shampooing your hair properly or regularly can lead to the onset of dandruff. The dermatologist suggests that people should focus on cleaning their scalp properly instead of putting oils on their scalp which clearly doesn’t need it. Lather the shampoo properly and wash your hair thoroughly to get rid of dandruff. This should be enough to clear your scalp of any dandruff, recommends the dermatologist.

She also suggests that people should avoid using shampoo which is also a conditioner. Choose a shampoo that is only that – a shampoo. Both are designed to do two different jobs and you should use them separately. If you want to add, you can choose zinc parathyroid, also known as ZN2O, which is an over-the-counter medication that can help you deal with dandruff. However, if this doesn’t help, you must consult a dermatologist to get proper treatment.

They can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific scalp condition and may suggest alternative treatments if necessary, says the doctor.