Diana (Hong Kong) on 08/08/2018
What else can I try? Thank you to whoever can offer some tips...
Lover Of Truth (In) on 12/22/2017
Madeline (Sacramento, Ca) on 05/20/2017
The first time I did it, I used cold water and the borax didn't really dissolve, and I thought, well that must be how it works, by exfoliating! But it is the borax itself, so go ahead and use warm water to dissolve it. It does clean my hair and leaves it nice and soft. And my hairdresser reports no dandruff to be seen!
Babe (Tx) on 10/19/2016
I mixed about 8-10 drops of tea tree oil with about a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage it into my scalp, leaving it on for several hours or overnight, then wash out. It really helps control the itching and flaking! I do this about once a week to keep it under control. I wonder if I did it more often or daily, if it would cure the problem, but I haven't tried.
Rm (Sedona, Az) on 06/14/2016
ACV mixed 50/50 with water, sprayed on to scalp, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, wash off. Make sure you try going gluten, dairy and carb free for a couple weeks to make sure it isn't skin autoimmunity dermatitis. If you have rosacea or dry skin in places other than scalp, this could be a tell.
Dex (Kcmo) on 06/13/2016
Felicity (Ny) on 04/10/2016
Rhonda (Orange County, NJ) on 11/05/2014
Jack (Maui, Hawaii) on 05/14/2013
What you do is get a boar bristle brush and vigorously brush/rub it on your scalp until the skin turns pink/red from the irritation. Takes about 5 minutes twice a day. This irritation brings blood closer to the surface of the skin and your dandruff will be gone in a couple weeks. It may also act in an exfoliating way as well but I believe it works mostly because of improved blood flow to the scalp
If you have buzzed short hair you can easily brush all over your scalp with good pressure for 5 minutes a day until it looks pink/red from the irritation. If you have longer hair you may need to use small, quick back and fourth strokes in sections covering your entire scalp. But what you want is the scalp to be red from the irritation caused by the boar bristles.
Haven't had dandruff in months since starting this.
Anonymous (Ridgefield , Ct) on 04/01/2013
William (San Luis Obispo, California, Usa) on 12/31/2012
Following the advice posted I tried a 1:1 ACV and tap water mix. 1 cup in total, no pre wash. I wet my hair then slightly dried then poured half the solution over the back of my scalp while rubbing it in. It stung a little where I had been scratching perviously but it was a good "this is working" sting. I let the solution soak in for - 10 min. Then poured the other half on my head just before I stepped into the shower. I rinsed my hair well but did not wash with shampoo.
It has been a few hours since this treatment and I already feel a huge difference. My scalp is not itchy and the dandruff I had this morning is now non existent. And on a side note my hair feels conditioned and soft after the treatment a double win .
It is currently winter here in California and that seems to be the time I am most prone to a mild case of dry scalp with a slight itch and small but noticible amounts of dandruff. Lucky for me this solution worked wonders and will be my go to from now on.
Many thanks to the Earth Clinic community.
Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 07/01/2012
Paulette (Baltimore, Md) on 06/30/2012
While I cannot remember exactly how I came across this page promoting apple cider vinegar, I thank God I did. When I first read all of the positive reviews, I thought I would have to buy something when I scrolled down to the end of the page. The solution to intense itching and flaking could not be as simple as vinegar I thought.
So I went to walmart to purchase the vinegar. I was willing to try anything, as I was at my wits end. They did not have acv, but they did have a huge bottle of white distilled vinegar for $1.82.
When my hair began to itch, I sprayed the vinegar onto my scalp using a spray bottle. I did not dilute it. After the first few minutes, I felt relief. It also burned. I let it sit on for an hour, then washed my hair with a moisterizing shampoo.
My hair never felt so fresh. Usually I have flakes even after washing my hair. Usually I have an itching attack within the next 3 days. Not this time. Now I would not say I'm cured, but its a real improvement.
I wish I knew about this sooner! This is life changing! I no longer feel insecure that flakes may be showing. I feel normal now. Spread the word! Vinegar for dandruff should be common knowledge.
Sophie (Berlin, Germany) on 06/30/2012
@leahspeaking (Victoria, Bc Canada) on 06/19/2012
Southernarc (Durham, Nc, Usa) on 02/18/2012
I've found that a 1:1 mixture of ACV and plain tap water works! I mixed 1 ounce of ACV with 1 ounce of water, and for good measure added in 20 drops of teatree oil. Thoroughy moisten hair in the shower with the concoction and massage in for a few minutes. I noticed results after the first application. I used it twice more a few more days apart and by the third application it appears the scabs are all gone. Even my eyebrows are cured (I made sure to apply the concoction).
Using tea tree oil also helps with the smell. It counteracts the smell of the ACV quite a bit, and I'm thinking of increasing the amount to 25 drops per 2 ounces.
The only other change I made was to switch to a baby shampoo instead of my regular "dry hair" shampoo. But I'm convinced it's the ACV. I've used teatree oil before and I think it helped a bit, but it didn't cure. I know it's not hurting, and since I had some on hand I included it. And I've also gone against conventional wisdom I've read on this site and used regular filtered ACV that I picked up from the supermarket for $.99 If it didn't work I was going to try the organic kind, but since I'm now cured of this ailment I won't have to buy any more ACV.
I know that the baby shampoo must be helping, since I've always had a dry scalp and dry hair and now it's much better. Yet the first time I used the ACV concoction I decided to try my regular shampoo, and even then I could swear that my hair was less dry and more manageable when I was done. So the concoction alone is good. But I'm sticking with the baby shampoo just to be sure, plus I really like the results.
Casey (Los Gatos, Ca) on 01/21/2012
Emily (Tampa, Florida) on 01/06/2012
A little internet research suggested that henna is in fact a treatment for dandruff, lice, and other scalp issues. The only downside to this would be the fact that it's a dye of sorts, so you'd have to be willing to go with that. Worked great for my purposes, however, and I wasn't even anticipating it helping my scalp issues!
Annette (Fairbanks, Alaska) on 12/31/2011
If you have oily hair (like me) then you're more susceptible to dandruff, since Malassezia feeds on sebum, the oily matter produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin.
This is the real secret. When I tell most people they just think it's gross and don't hear me out. :)
When I hop in the shower in the morning I give my scalp a vigorous 15 second rinse under the water. This gets the visible oiliness out of my hair, but doesn't actually strip my scalp of any oil.
It's washing without washing.
When you first do this you'll notice that your hair might feel a little "sticky. " Don't worry, you have to give it time to adjust.
The interesting thing is after a few days my scalp seemingly stopped producing so much oil. I don't know the science behind it, and I haven't been able to find conclusive studies about it, I just know it works.
Some people use baking soda and vinegar. Or lemon juice. These products don't strip your hair of its oils.
Good luck to all of us suffering from... I call it: "shampoo-itis"
Lardiver (Abbotsford Bc, Canada) on 12/30/2011
