Are you tired off trying several medicines for dandruff and lice over and over again? Don’t worry, coconut oil is a safe and effective remedy for dandruff & lice.
In this post we will cover:
- What are dandruff and lice and how do you get them?
- How to use coconut oil for treating dandruff & lice?
Let’s just face it, we all love the idea of shiny perfect hair that looks great and feels great too, but in most cases, it just doesn’t seem to happen unless of course, you are one of those people who is just simply blessed.
Well, the struggle with hair fall, dry, frizzy and damaged hair can still be talked about.
But in case of dandruff and especially lice, it is plain embarrassing even to admit that you have them.
So if you are looking for a natural home remedy that works and can save you from the embarrassment without robbing your pocket, then you are at the right place.
And the answer to your problem is coconut oil for your dandruff problem.
But before jumping into the solution and finding out why coconut oil and what are the exact procedures to follow- let us look carefully at why dandruff and life are formed in the first place.
As it is always a good idea to understand the cause of the problem first and then start looking for ways to solve it.
So to start with, Dandruff!
Dandruff is an extremely common and continuous scalp problem in which there is visible flaking of the skin on one’s scalp.(1)
Although this disorder is nothing severe or contagious, it can be very embarrassing and also tricky to get rid of dandruff.
And its existence is not that difficult to spot either.
As we all are familiar with those white flakes of dead skin on our hair that make its way to the shoulders; especially noticeable when you are wearing something dark.
Then what causes Dandruff in the first place?
Dandruff can have many causes, but the most common are as follows-
Common Causes Behind Dandruff
1. Oily Skin
Well, hard to believe but it is one of the main reason behind dandruff.
This condition is also known as seborrheic dermatitis (2), and in this state, there is red, irritated, oily skin which is covered with flaky scales that are either white or yellow.
It not only affects your scalp but also may affect any other area which is rich in oil glands.
Some good examples can be your brows, behind your ears, your groin area, at the side of your nose and rarely your armpits.
2. Lack of Shampooing
In any problem regarding skin, even let it be scalp-hygiene plays a big role!
If you are not regularly cleaning your hair(keep in mind not excessively), then you should as this goes a long way in taking care of dandruff.
By regularly washing your hair you can stop the oils and skin cells from building up on your scalp.
3. Malassezia
It is a fungus that has texture like yeast and is found on the scalps of most adults.(3)
However , n some cases, it causes irritation to the skin your scalp and the cause of which is still unknown.
This also leads more skin cells to grow leading to overproduction.
So now you have more skin cells that are produced on your scalp which also means there will be more dead skin cells in a given period of time and hence those embarrassing flakes on your hair and shoulders.
4. Dry Skin
Dandruff that is caused by dry skin is usually smaller in size than those that are caused by oily scalps.
Moreover, unlike the oily scalp dandruff, this type of dandruff doesn’t cause any kind of inflammation or redness.
This kind of dandruff occurs because you have dry skin overall be it your arms or legs or other parts of your body.
The situation can get worse during fall and winter especially due to indoor heating as it reduces the moisture level in your skin even further.(4)
But luckily there are many home remedies for such type of dandruff and coconut oil being one of the most effective.
5. Hair Products
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing!
All those hair colors, serums and styling product that you put on your hair to make it look better can actually take a toll on the health of your scalp and lead to the embarrassment caused by dandruff.
Moreover, it can also make your scalp sensitive, red and itchy.
So next time be gentle with your hair and spare it from all those harsh chemicals.
So is Everyone Prone to Dandruff Equally?
Answer: Not really, although anyone can have dandruff, there are certain factors which determines how likely it is for you to end up with dandruff.
Some of the factors are-
Age– You might start having dandruff from adolescent and it can continue till your mid-age. However, for some it might be a lifelong problem to deal with.
Gender– Sorry men! But if you are a guy, the chances are you are most likely to end up with dandruff and according to some studies your male hormones play a key role.
Certain illnesses– Dandruff may be a symptom displayed by certain neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease.
It might cause seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.(2)
Even it might also happen if you are infected by HIV or you have a weak immune system.(5)
Luckly there is an effective, easy, all natural way to treat dandruff remedy for it- Coconut oil.
Coconut oil is highly beneficial oil that has been extracted from the flesh of mature coconuts that has been cultivated in the coconut palm.(6)
This natural oil has been providing nourishment to our body and hair for centuries.
It has a unique fat composition that makes it an ideal choice.
Coconut oil can aid to eradicate dandruff because of its antifungal properties.
It moisturizes dry scalp and helps to relief from itching as dry scalp is prone to cause dandruff.
Moreover it provides moisture and soothes flaky rough conditions that are regular for eczema.
3 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Dandruff
1. Coconut oil, Olive oil, & Gelatin
Mix 3 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a container.
The amount of oil may vary depending on the length and volume of your hair. Usually, it is enough for someone with medium to long hair and decent volume.
Add two big spoons of gelatin to it and then mix it properly.
Coconut oil will provide moisture to your scalp and hair, while olive oil will condition them. Moreover, gelatine will provide the protein required.
2. Coconut Oil & Lemon
This simple two ingredient recipe is highly effective.
Simply heat two tablespoons of coconut oil (again depends on how much you need) in a microwave for about 30 seconds and then add equal amounts of lemon juice to it.
Gently massage this mixture into your scalp. Leave it on for around half an hour and wash it away with your favourite shampoo.
Coconut oil will nourish your hair and the lemon juice will treat dandruff and any other skin condition that causes it.
3. Coconut and Indian Lilac (Neem)
Neam is well known around the globe for its anti-bacterial properties.
Take a pan and put it on medium heat. Add three tablespoons of coconut oil into the pan and add a handful of neem leaves into it.
Let it simmer for a good 5 to 7 minutes but be careful not to burn the oil. After that take it off the heat and allow it to cool.
Apply it to hair and keep it for an hour, then rinse it off with shampoo.
Notes: To see better results try any of these methods thrice a week. Natural remedies usually take time to show results, but they are very effective.
Moreover, they do not have any side effects so things won’t get worse!
3 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Lice
What are Lice Exactly?
Lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on our blood.(7)
They are highly reproductive and can quickly spread especially among children. Not to mention they are very hard to get rid of.
Personal hygiene and sharing of belongings play a key role in spreading of lice.
If not treated properly, this condition can re-occur from time to time. And sure you wouldn’t like the idea of scratching your head in public all the time.
Lice can be of several types though. Such as head lice, body lice and pubic lice.(7)
Most lice treatments that can be purchased over the counter can be very harsh on your hair and is full of toxic compositions.
Some of these compounds are even banned from using on crops. Then how can you also risk putting such chemicals on your hair? So going natural is the safest option.
Coconut oil works wonders for lice. It not only helps to remove lice effortlessly but also nourishes the hair, making it stronger.
The fatty properties present in coconut oil naturally can suffocate lice and make it hard for them to stick to the hair follicles.
Moreover, it can calm the red, itchy skin and inflammations caused by excessive scratching.
You can use coconut oil in the following ways to get rid of lice.
1. Coconut oil and Essential oils
Put five teaspoons of coconut oil and to it add five drops of tea tree, lavender, rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils.
Mix these oils well. Add this mixture to your favorite nourishing shampoo.
Cover your hair in it from root to tip. Put on a tight shower cap and wait for an hour. Rinse it off with shampoo. You don’t need a conditioner after that too.
2. Coconut oil and Apple Cider Vinegar 
Apple cider vinegar is high in acidity so it can weaken the grip of these parasitic insects from the hair.
According to this method, you have to apply a generous amount of apple cider vinegar into your hair making sure that you cover your hair entirely with this solution.
Let the vinegar dry in your hair thoroughly.
Once it completely dries out, put sufficient amount of coconut oil that can suffocate the lice.
Put on a tight shower cap and wait for eight hours. You can even leave this mixture on your hair for the entire night.
Comb your hair with a tight bristled brush while you wash your hair with shampoo the next day.
3. Coconut oil, Ginger, Lemon & Green Tea 
For preparing this, you will need one tablespoon of fresh ginger juice, one tablespoon of a freshly grated lemon extract, two tablespoons of green tea and two tablespoons of coconut oil.
Mix them properly and apply it evenly to your hair. Leave it on for a good hour or two.
Rinse it off with shampoo and don’t forget to comb your hair while washing it under water and this will get rid of dead lice and eggs easily.
Bottom Line
Remember it will take weeks to get rid of lice entirely. You have to be patient and consistent as they reproduce very quickly.
Make sure you do your treatment twice a week for the first week and then continue doing it once a week for another three weeks. So four weeks should do the trick.
And it is always a good idea to be preventive so do not share pillowcases, bed sheets, towels with people who have lice. Also, wash yours regularly.
Just don’t lose hope and continue the process. Coconut oil for dandruff and lice sure will work out.
