*Makes disgusted groaning sound* Dandruff. Something I’ve had for my entire life. Something that’s always given me problems. I know the struggle all too well. With an almost daily regimen of Head and Shoulders though, I had conquered it so well that I had almost forgotten I had a flaky scalp at all.
Then I discovered the terrible chemicals in commercial shampoos and I switched to a low poo option. It 86’d a lot of the bad stuff, was ethically sourced, made with all natural ingredients, checked almost all of my boxes. Except it was still a heaping chunk of plastic waste at the bottom of the bottle.
I had read about “no poo” but had hesitated for various reasons. My dandruff wasn’t one of them though. I had all but forgotten it was ever even an issue. When I decided to switch to “no poo”, I did so overnight (You can read that story here). It took roughly four whole months for my dandruff to show up and it did so with a fury.
I Tried All the No Poo With Dandruff Remedies
There are several remedies out there for dandruff but they all required me to repeat use every couple of days. One of the biggest attractions to no poo is that you no longer have to do that. The once or twice a week I was washing my hair wasn’t frequent enough for these remedies to take hold.
I was almost at the brink of quitting my no poo routine. I couldn’t handle it and my husband’s head and shoulders was looking more and more appealing.
I started alternating my 2 weekly washes. One I would use his shampoo, the next I would use my shampoo bar. I felt defeated but I couldn’t walk around like someone had thrown cornstarch on me. As if this wasn’t bad enough, I discovered I had seborrhea, which is basically face dandruff. It’s the same thing they just call it dandruff when it’s on your scalp and seborrhea when it’s else where. When I tell you my problem was bad, it was BAD.
Turns out, no one REALLY knows what causes dandruff although it seems to be hereditary. There’s also no known cure although some people report curing their dandruff by eating a whole, clean foods diet. In most cases, it’s a lifelong battle.
On the surface, the link between food and dandruff appears straightforward. Certain dietary components, like processed sugars, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats, can trigger inflammation and disrupt the delicate balance of gut microbiota. This imbalance can then manifest through various skin conditions, including dandruff.
Furthermore, deficiencies in essential nutrients, like vitamin B12, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, can contribute to a dry, flaky scalp. These nutrients play crucial roles in maintaining healthy cell turnover and scalp function. Their absence weakens the skin’s barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation and dandruff formation.
However, the relationship between food and dandruff extends beyond these physical mechanisms. Our dietary choices are often deeply intertwined with our emotional well-being and stress levels. Stress, a potent trigger for dandruff, is often exacerbated by unhealthy eating habits. Processed foods, lacking in essential nutrients and fiber, can lead to blood sugar imbalances, further fueling anxiety and stress.
Conversely, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains promotes gut health, which is intricately linked to brain health and emotional regulation. By nourishing our bodies with whole foods, we support the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, naturally enhancing our mood and reducing stress levels. This, in turn, can contribute to a healthier scalp and reduced dandruff.
Delving deeper into the philosophical realm, we find that the concept of food transcends mere sustenance. It becomes a symbolic representation of self-care, love, and nurturing. When we choose to nourish our bodies with wholesome foods, we are not just providing physical sustenance but also demonstrating respect and appreciation for ourselves. This self-love manifests not only in our emotional well-being but also in the radiant health of our skin and hair.
Anyway, food has seemed to be a big factor in mine. I notice my flakes worsen when my eating habits have been less than great as of late. I do have a soy allergy, and my dandruff flares when I’ve gotten a hold of some. It’s unclear though if this is specifically soy related or connected to the fact that soy is often found in fast food and other unsavory options.
Either way, it’s always a great idea to make better food choices.
The Universe provides
My friends and I like to get together once a week and make things. This week it was natural homemade dye. A few weeks ago, we did a self care/spa day and made our own face masks and conditioner. The conditioner was my friend Melissa’s idea and she brought over all of the things and made it, dividing it all up in a jar for each of us.
I didn’t think much about it and had to ask her the instructions on use 3 times before it stuck in my head. But when I used it the next day I was amazed at the results I had! Over the next few days I had a significant decrease in the amount of dandruff I had been experiencing.
Prewash Prep for No Poo with Dandruff
Before you wash your hair, you’ll want to exfoliate your scalp. I use a shampoo brush (pictured below) on my dry scalp before I shower. Gently scrub in circles with the brush to detach all of the flakes. This will:
- Help your scalp to breathe
- Allow the products to reach your scalp and be absorbed
- Help to wash away any existing flakes
- Stimulates blood flow to the scalp
That’s it really. I’ve found it makes things easier to brush your hair before exfoliating and then again after. This helps prevent tangles which allows everything to wash out properly and minimize damage.
I also like to use a scalp massager too because it’s very efficient in exfoliating, feels great and also won’t harm your scalp. Don’t scratch with your fingernails. This can cause harm, bleeding and more irritation to an already inflamed and dealing with enough crap scalp.
During your shower
While you’re in the shower, rinse your hair thoroughly with water. I like to use the shampoo brush again to exfoliate, just to be sure. You really never can do this too much as long as you’re not hurting yourself.
Wash your hair with your preferred no poo method. I use a shampoo bar made by Stone River Soaps but you can use whatever method you like except the baking soda and vinegar method.
Using baking soda and vinegar is great every once in a while for detoxing your scalp but when used regularly can cause irritation, wonky pH levels and hair thinning and loss. You’ll be doing a lot of harm so just avoid it if you can.
How To Do the Leave in Conditioner
Use the shampoo brush again as you lather and then rinse your hair completely. When you’re done with everything else in your shower and you’re ready to get out, apply the rosemary lavender leave in conditioner to your scalp. Be sure to place it strategically to where you get the worst of the flaking.
You may have to press it into your hair and scalp since the aloe vera is a gel and sits on top of your hair if you don’t help it get in there. Once you’ve rubbed it into your head, you can go about getting out. You can turn the water off before you do this if you like to conserve it. You won’t be washing it out.
Always let your hair air dry if you can. Blow drying it is fine too though with this method. There will be little pieces of aloe vera left in your hair but it’s way better than dandruff and it combs right out. Especially easily once it dries so don’t let this deter you from using it.
Bullet point recap:
- Brush hair
- Exfoliate
- Brush hair
- Wash hair as you would
- Add leave in conditioner and work into scalp
Lavender Rosemary Leave in Conditioner
What you’ll need:
- Fresh Lavender
- Fresh Rosemary
- An Aloe Vera Leaf
Directions:
- Put a heaping tablespoon of each lavender and rosemary per cup of water and boil for several minutes until the herbs appear browned and cooked. This shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. I usually do about 2 cups of water.
- Let sit and cool until room temperature
- Slice open the aloe vera leaf and scoop out the insides (Be sure to thank the plant for it’s contribution). Spoon the insides into a blender and blend well.
- Strain the liquid you cooked earlier into the blender, leaving the solids out. I like to add 2 drops each of lavender and rosemary essential oil here just to make sure it’s got all the medicinal properties I can give it. (Cedarwood essential oil is also great here).
- Blend well and pour into your jar(s)! Keep refrigerated. It’s good for 2 weeks.
You can read on the benefits to each of these ingredients and some other things you can add to it if you like in this blog post.
Let us know how it works for you!
Other posts you may enjoy:
- 2 Reasons to Use Essential Oils for House Cleaning
- How to Use Essential Oils Topically
- The Ancient History of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
- The 3 Ways of Using Essential Oils
- The 3 Best Essential Oils For Beginner
Author
S.S.Blake; Spiritual Life Coach, Yoga + Meditation Teacher and Founder of Earth and Water
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