Dandruff is the most common hair and scalp issue faced by people of all ages, worldwide. It is basically the shedding of dead skin from a dry, extremely oily or microbe-infected scalp which results in redness, itchiness, flaking and irritation of the scalp. To restore the moisture balance, a dry and dehydrated scalp produces excess sebum which consequently blocks the hair follicles. This attracts microbes and leads to bacterial and fungal infection of the scalp, causing Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, Psoriasis and dandruff.
This problem can be resolved by resorting to regular anti-dandruff treatments like the use of anti-dandruff shampoos, spas, oiling, ketaconazole medications, dietary modifications etc. Regular oiling of the scalp helps improve blood circulation and provides the vital essential oils and nutrients required to hydrate and nourish the skin. This helps in treating and preventing dandruff to create healthy, strong and beautiful tresses. The oil known to be the ideal, cost-effective, efficient and natural remedy to treat the problem of dandruff is coconut oil.
The edible oil extracted from the flesh of matured coconuts of coconut palms is called coconut oil. This oil is long lasting in nature, has antibiotic and nutritional properties, possesses high viscosity and combustibility, and hence, has found a wide range of culinary, industrial, medicinal usages across the globe. The remedial and curative benefits of coconut oil have been hailed from ancient times. Regular application of pure coconut oil on the scalp has deep moisturizing and healing effects on the skin and hair, thereby helping to treat dryness of the scalp and dandruff, and producing long and shiny locks.
100% pure coconut oil is found in a solid form and has to be melted by heating before it can be used. This warm, pure oil should be applied gently on the scalp, not hair, in small quantities with the finger tips as a home remedy to treat dandruff. After application, the hair and scalp must be covered with a towel or shower cap for 15 –20 minutes before washing it off thoroughly with a good shampoo. This is a deep nourishing and moisturizing therapy for dandruff-affected hair and should at least be done twice a week for best results.
Deep hot oil massages and spas at salons also have the same benefits. Coconut oil mixed with other natural ingredients like lime juice is also useful in treating dandruff. Coconut oil and lemon for dandruff is also an effective remedy. Consumption of coconut oil or coconut oil supplement capsules each day is also useful in treating dandruff and dryness of the skin.
Enriched with essential Vitamins E and K, proteins, lauric acid, capric acid etc, coconut oil penetrates easily into the hair strands and scalp to have a deep moisturizing, hydrating and conditioning effect on the tresses. It repairs the damaged hair strands and follicles, detangles the hair, and reduces dryness, flakiness and irritation of the scalp.
It also decreases dead skin buildup and thereby helps to keep the skin pores clear, thus treating and preventing dandruff effectively. It helps to strengthen the hair, reduces hair breakage and loss, promotes hair growth, and renders luster and volume to the hair. Thus, it makes your hair longer, shinier, detangled, fuller and dandruff- free.
Coconut oil possesses antifungal properties that help to fight the problem of dandruff effectively. Excessive dryness stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce larger amounts of sebum to balance the moisture levels of the scalp. This excess sebum gets accumulated in the hair follicles to clog the same, increases dirt and dead skin buildup on the scalp and attracts the fungus called Malassezia furfurthat. This fungus attaches itself to the hair shafts and causes dandruff. The antimicrobial property of coconut oil helps to remove and prevent the growth of this fungus on the scalp, thereby curing dandruff and restoring the health of the hair to make it look voluminous and beautiful.
Therefore, the deep conditioning property and antifungal property of coconut oil helps in treating and preventing.dandruff. How effective was coconut oil on your scalp? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.