Overview
While stress, oily skin and hair, excessive sweating and food allergies are common causes of dandruff, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, perms, hair-straightening agents and certain hairstyles like ponytails and braids can cause hair loss. Dandruff shampoos and hair-loss products both can be expensive. Fortunately, there are some simple home remedies you can try that can effectively treat either condition for a lot less cost.
Dandruff
Step 1
Combine one tablespoon each of witch hazel, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. Apply to hair and leave on for 30 minutes before washing hair with a mild shampoo. Do this two or three times each week. Another option is to soak a cotton ball with witch hazel to dab on your scalp when your hair is freshly washed and still damp.
Step 2
Massage your scalp with apple cider vinegar. Let the cider dry for a few minutes before shampooing your hair as usual. Do this every day for about a week, after which time dandruff should start to disappear. Wash your hair regularly with warm apple cider to prevent dandruff from returning. Leave vinegar on hair for about 30 minutes before rinsing off with clean water.
Step 3
Rub aloe vera gel into your scalp 15 minutes before shampooing your hair. For really bad dandruff, apply aloe vera before going to bed and leave on overnight. Shampoo your hair in the morning. Repeat daily or as often as necessary to keep dandruff away.
Step 4
Crush two aspirin tablets and add to the amount of shampoo you use to wash your hair. Lather hair and leave on for two minutes. Rinse hair thoroughly after shampooing.
Hair Loss
Step 1
Prevent hair breakage by avoiding overuse of chemical hair treatments such as hair dyes, perm solutions, styling gels and hair sprays. Wearing tight hair rollers or your hair in styles like pigtails or braids are other factors that can cause hair loss.
Step 2
Massage olive oil into your scalp to prevent further hair loss. Make a hot oil conditioner using olive oil. Heat a small bowl of olive oil in the microwave for about 20 seconds. You can also warm the oil by placing the bowl in a pan of hot water. Let the oil cool enough to the touch so that you can safely massage it into the scalp. Comb through your hair using a wide toothed comb and then massage your scalp again with more olive oil. Leave on overnight and wash hair with a mild shampoo in the morning. Rinse thoroughly.
Step 3
Grate a dried coconut and then grind the shreds to a fine paste. Collect the milk of the coconut by sieving the paste through a fine cloth. Pour hot water over the pulp and then squeeze to extract the milk. Apply one to two cups of coconut milk all over your scalp. Allow the milk to dry and then rinse your hair with plain water. Leave the coconut oil in your hair for 24 hours before shampooing.
Step 4
Stimulate blood vessels by massaging the scalp gently with your fingertips and massage oil. Use olive oil or sweet almond oil to which the essential oil rosemary or peppermint has been added. Do this at least twice a week. Massage improves circulation allowing more blood to flow to the scalp and hair follicles, promoting better hair growth.
