Curly hair has a mind of its own; the gorgeous ringlets need special care and specific curly hair products to look bouncy and healthy. Your haircare needs and woes might vary from your straight-haired friends, but one haircare issue that’s common across all hair types is dandruff. While hair dandruff is quite common, curly hair requires a different approach to dandruff due to its unique properties.
Curly hair structure
Treating dandruff in curly hair can be challenging owing to its different structure. Have you ever wondered what makes your hair curly? While your genes play a major role in determining your hair type, the shape of your hair follicle also plays a vital role. While the hair follicles in straight hair are symmetrical, curly hair has oval-shaped follicles and the protein keratin is distributed in a manner where they are concentrated in the inner side of your hair. This structure of the curly hair can cause grease/oil to get trapped on the scalp and becomes one of the reasons for dandruff as the fungus Malassezia Globosa feeds on this sebum and releases oleic acid. About 50 per cent of the population is allergic to oleic acid and reacts to it by shedding the skin cells in an attempt to get rid of the allergen.
How to treat dandruff in curly hair
While dandruff can be troublesome, there are some effective dandruff home remedies that can help you keep the condition under control. Let’s take a look.
- Use an anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner
One of the best ways to treat dandruff is to use shampoos and conditioners that are formulated specially to get rid of dandruff. You can use Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoos and conditionersthat are created using dandruff-fighting ingredients, such as zinc pyrithione. This active ingredient fights dandruff and gets rid of flakes and heals the scalp as well. - Aloe vera to the rescue
Aloe vera has been used for ages to treat skin conditions and its antibacterial and antifungal nature is effective against dandruff. The soothing gel can control fungal infections and reduce inflammation that occurs due to dandruff. - Try tea tree oil
As you are aware, dandruff occurs due to the fungus Malassezia Globosa. You can use tea tree oil as a remedy to treat dandruff as this essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that can help treat the itching and flaking associated with dandruff. However, ensure that you dilute tea tree oil with carrier oil to protect sensitive skin from irritation.
- Harness the benefits of coconut oil
If your scalp is prone to dryness, it can add to your dandruff woes. You can keep your scalp hydrated with coconut oil as it has proven to improve skin conditions like eczema. Moreover, coconut oil is anti-microbial in nature and can provide instant relief from itchiness and irritation that occurs due to dandruff. - Baking soda helps too
Baking soda acts as a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, thereby reducing itchiness and scaling. Moreover, the antifungal properties of baking soda can prove effective against some common strains of fungus and inhibits their growth. Apply baking soda to wet hair and massage it into your scalp. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off completely.
Treating dandruff in curly hair can be tricky, but with the right anti-dandruff shampoo and these tried and tested home remedies, you can go flake-free in no time.