Before shampooing, brush hair. This removes loose dandruff flakes and also helps pull out some of the build up from styling products.Rinse air well with warm water. This also helps get rid of build up as well as providing a wet base which helps distribute the shampoo when applied.
Pour about a tablespoon of dandruff shampoo in your hand. Rub until a lather begins to form. This step helps with distribution during the application stage.Start at the scalp and begin rubbing. Use your fingers to massage your scalp and to ensure that the active ingredients in the shampoo are actually reaching the problem area—the scalp and not the hair shafts.Leave the shampoo on five minutes before rinsing. This gives the medications time to sink in and work. Rinse with cool water. The cooler water helps add shine.If you condition your hair, use modest amounts of the product. You might even add water to your conditioner bottle. Most people use too much conditioner. This is not a real problem (though expensive) for most individuals, but people suffering with dandruff should avoid excessive use of hair care products. These can complicate dandruff problems.
Alternatives – Herbal Remedies for Dandruff
Dandruff has been around way longer than dandruff shampoos. For example, Head and Shoulders is only about 40 years old. Before major companies capitalized on the market, savvy folks experimented with and found home treatments to control dandruff.
One of the earliest treatments for dandruff was pine tar. Pine tar is sticky and smelly, but it does help. One company currently offers a pine tar shampoo—Grandpa’s Pine Tar. Though shampooing with pine tar is not so pleasant, hair feels squeaky clean afterwards and dandruff is gone (at least for a while). Pine tar is rough on hair and especially on treated hair. Don’t consider it for every day use.
Another favorite home remedy for dandruff is vinegar (white, apple cider etc.). Just mix the vinegar with a little water. Pour over hair and massage well and then rinse. Vinegar poured in the bathtub has long been used by women with vaginal yeast infections, so it stands to reason that it could be helpful in combating yeast problems related to the scalp. You will smell a tad like pickles if you use vinegar treatments.
Other home remedy specialists swear by include mixtures of coconut oil and lemon juice (smells much better than other treatments) and also washing with Listerine mouth wash. If using Listerine, wet your scalp, rub Listerine in, wrap your hair in a towel for about fifteen minutes and then rinse.