NHS nurse reveals simple hair hacks to get rid of dandruff

NHS nurse and natural health expert Cherry Francis has revealed simple hacks and miracle ingredients to help combat dandruff.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is most commonly caused by low scalp hydration and an imbalance in scalp oils - but can also come about as a result of: Malassezia - a yeastlike fungus that feeds on oils on the scalps; contact dermatitis as a result of sensitivity to hair care products, and other skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Cherry explains that when it comes to managing dandruff, people often fail to address all the contributing factors.

“Some of the biggest mistakes people can make when trying to combat dandruff is not acknowledging how much stress management, diet and gut health can impact dandruff control. Wanting to get rid of dandruff means tackling both external factors and internal bodily environment”.

Cherry shares 4 simple tricks for getting rid of dandruff.

Natural homemade remedies

If your skin is particularly sensitive to chemical-heavy shampoos and hair treatments, Cherry suggests these simple home remedies:

• Rub Aloe Vera into your scalp 5 minutes before you wash your hair for increased hydration.
• Mix a ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with a ¼ cup of water. Apply to the hair for 15-30 minutes then rinse.

Reduce sugar intake

Sugar can cause dandruff, flaky skin, an itchy scalp and damage to your hair follicles. Dandruff can sometimes be attributed to Candida yeast on the scalp - and sugary foods promote its growth. Sugar can also deplete the body’s levels of vitamin B, an essential nutrient for keeping the hair dandruff-free. Committing to cutting down on sugar is not only good for weight loss and your overall health, but your scalp will thank you for it too.

Cut out wheat

Dandruff can be caused by a food allergy or hypersensitivity, so it’s worth experimenting with a strict no wheat diet for at least 4 weeks to give the gut time to cleanse and see how your scalp reacts. As wheat makes up so much of the British diet, give yourself time to really prepare for this change as it would include removing foods such as pasta, pizza, sandwiches, cakes, bread and battered foods from your diet.

Go plant-based

Eating more plant based nutrient rich foods or supplementing with a plant based multivitamin are great for helping alleviate dandruff. A deficiency of vitamin B6 can result in dandruff, and eating more organic bananas, avocados, pistachio nuts, quinoa, sesame seeds and spinach can supply the B6 levels you need. Omega 3 is also great for acting as a dandruff preventative as it helps to keep the skin hydrated - so add more flaxseed, walnuts, kidney beans, chia seeds and walnuts to your diet for the sake of your scalp.

SuperFoodLx stock a range of plant-based hair care products and natural supplements that heal, strengthen, and grow the hair and rehydrate the scalp.

ABOUT SUPERFOODLX

SuperFoodLx is a vegan hair wellness brand formulated to help women heal, strengthen and grow their hair. Started by a nurse and nutritionist mother-daughter team inspired by Paula’s hair loss and her mother helping it to grow back with a home-made nutrient rich oil blend. SuperFoodLx has gone on to help thousands of women regrow their hair faster and stronger using unique plant based formulations.