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Itching, flaking, and the dread that comes with wearing a dark-coloured shirt'it may not be life-threatening, but dandruff can certainly be an embarrassing condition.

Dandruff is quite common'those flakes are simply dead skin cells created when the body's natural shedding process becomes overactive. An overly oily scalp (seborrhea) is usually to blame. Less common is dandruff caused by the blocked oil glands of a very dry scalp, giving the hair a dull, lifeless appearance.

The good news is that most dandruff is not serious. It's easy to treat with a trip to your health food store and a bit of consistency and patience.

Shampoos and Conditioners

Frequent shampooing will help alleviate dandruff by clearing away dead skin cells. Choose a gentle product that's free of sulphates and strong detergents. Gently massage shampoo into the entire scalp with the fingertips (not the nails) to loosen flakes and rinse thoroughly so no follicle-clogging residue is left behind.

Many all-natural brands have created products especially for dandruff sufferers with these healing ingredients:

Tea tree oil soothes the scalp with its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is a powerful stimulant that will loosen and help shed accumulated flakes. Herbs like thyme, burdock, lavender, and rosemary are all beneficial to the skin and hair.
These can also be obtained as tinctures and used as a soothing scalp massage.

Treatments

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular and effective home treatments for dandruff. A natural antiseptic that cleanses and refreshes the scalp, apple cider vinegar also helps to relieve itching.

For a prewash treatment, apply one-quarter to one-third cup (60 to 80 ml) apple cider vinegar to the scalp and massage in. Leave it on for a few minutes, or up to an hour before shampooing; then wash hair as usual.

After shampooing, rinse hair with a solution of one-part apple cider vinegar to one-part water. This solution will combat the effects of hard water and leave hair soft and shiny.

Use either of these treatments daily until dandruff is under control. To prevent flare-ups, continue the treatment approximately once a week.

Experiment with different treatments and frequency until you find the combination that works best, and you'll be reaching for your favourite navy-blue shirt in no time.