Yes, the good news is getting a spa treatment is an effective and natural way of treating dandruff and improving hair health. Dandruff is a problem faced by millions of people globally. Dry skin, fungal infection, stress, hormonal imbalance, or sensitivity to hair products are some causes of dandruff. (1)(2)
Dandruff is white/yellow flakes of skin found on the scalp and hair that causes irritation and itchiness. It can affect the appearance and quality of your hair and can bring about feelings of embarrassment.
Besides removing dandruff, a spa treatment can have added benefits for your hair’s health and beauty. (3) A hair spa will give your hair and scalp the deep hydration and nourishment they need. It includes multiple stages of cleansing, conditioning, moisturizing, and massaging your scalp and hair.
Read further to learn more about hair spa treatments for dandruff-free hair.
Article Contents
How Does a Hair Spa Remove Dandruff?
Hair spas treat the hair and scalp by providing the right amount of moisture and removing dirt, dandruff, and flakes properly. It also treats itchy and irritated scalp.
Here are some ways how a hair spa removes dandruff.
1. Cleanses your scalp to remove impurities and unclog pores
The first step in a hair spa is washing the hair with a mild shampoo that suits your hair type. It helps in removing oil, dirt, or product buildup from your hair and scalp.
According to researchers, even a normal scalp develops some flakes if the hair is not washed within 1–2 weeks, (4) but there is minimal dandruff or infection on a clean scalp.
2. Rebalances normal oil secretion
Natural ingredients such as neem, amla, bhringraj, reetha, shikakai, ginger, tulsi, and hibiscus can be used to make a hair mask that is used in a spa treatment. These ingredients fight dandruff and fungus as they have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
They restore your scalp’s natural oil production by rebalancing its pH level. They protect your scalp from the two triggers of dandruff, which is too much oiliness and dryness of the scalp. (5)
3. Hydrates the scalp
Hydration is the key to preventing scalp dryness and flakiness and making the scalp healthy and resilient to dandruff.
A hot towel or a steamer is used in the spa treatment to open up the pores of the scalp. It allows hair masks to penetrate the hair and scalp. Hydration protects the skin against Malassezia (a dandruff-causing fungus). (6)
4. Massages the scalp to promote blood circulation
A 10-15-minute gentle scalp massage in circular motions is included in a hair spa treatment, and it improves blood circulation, supplying oxygen to your scalp.
It stimulates the hair follicles and boosts hair growth. It also alleviates inflammation and stress, which are both linked to dandruff.
How to Do a Hair Spa at Home
If you cannot take the time out for a regular spa session, you can give yourself a hair spa treatment at home in a few easy steps.
- Apply your preferred oil (coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, or argan oil) to your scalp and hair and massage gently and evenly. Do this for 5–10 minutes and let the oil be absorbed.
- Take a damp towel soaked in hot water, and wrap it around your head for 5–6 minutes. Make sure the towel is fresh and clean. The heat lets the oil penetrate the scalp by opening up the hair follicles.
- Use enough shampoo to get the oil out of your hair and wash it off with lukewarm water. You may use an antidandruff shampoo containing zinc pyrithione. It prevents dandruff from coming back by fighting off the fungus. (1)
- Apply the hair mask mentioned below from your roots toward the edges. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let it sit for 20–25 minutes.
- Wash it off using gentle and mild shampoo and lukewarm water. Towel-dry your hair and let it rest for a while. Avoid using a blow-dryer.
Homemade Masks to Get Rid of Dandruff at Home
You can make the following masks at home to fight dandruff.
Banana, olive oil, and lemon juice antidandruff mask
Banana is great for your scalp and hair. It provides shine, moisturizes the scalp, controls dandruff, and improves manageability. (7)
Olive oil makes your hair strong and soft by locking in moisture. (8) Citric acid, found in lemons, can balance the pH levels of your hair. (9)
How to use:
- In a bowl, mash two ripe bananas until a lump-free paste is obtained.
- Add 1 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tbsp of olive oil to the mashed bananas, and mix well to get a consistent paste.
- Apply this mask to your scalp and hair. Leave it for at least 30 minutes. This mask has restorative and repairing properties.
- Wash it off using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
Fenugreek seed antidandruff hair mask
Fenugreek, also known as methi, is a natural herb with the potential of eliminating a type of dandruff-causing fungus. Fenugreek seeds are powerful and effective. They fight hair fall, hair thinning, and baldness, replenish hair growth, and are a good source of protein and nicotinic acid.
According to scientists, fenugreek seeds have an abundance of lecithin (a natural emollient that gives power to your hair, making them strong and healthy).
The procedure to prepare a fenugreek mask must be followed in the right way possible for it to be a good hair moisturizer. (10)
Here are some simple tips you should consider when preparing a fenugreek seed hair mask to remove dandruff.
- Take 2–3 tbsp of fenugreek seeds and soak them in water overnight.
- Grind the seeds to a paste-like substance.
- Add 1 tbsp of lemon juice and mix well.
- Apply the paste to your scalp and hair.
- Leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo and let your hair dry.
Tips and Precautions When Getting a Hair Spa
Follow these tips and precautions to get the best results from a hair spa:
- Go for a hair spa product that suits your hair type and condition. You can make your hair mask using natural ingredients such as olive oil, banana, and lemon juice.
- Do a patch test before applying it to your scalp and hair to avoid irritation or allergic reactions.
- Do not use hot water to wash your hair before or after a hair spa treatment. It can strip away the moisture and natural oils from the scalp and hair.
- Do not use heat-styling tools or harsh chemicals after a spa treatment. They reduce the effects of the treatment and damage your hair.
- Do not overdo a hair spa treatment. It can make your hair limp or greasy. Only do a hair spa treatment once or twice a month for optimal results.
Additional Benefits of Hair Spa for Your Hair
Hair spa provides several benefits for your hair along with removing dandruff. Some of the additional benefits are:
- Improves hair texture: A hair spa treatment can condition and nourish your hair from root to tip. It improves your hair texture and makes it soft, shiny, and smooth. It also repairs any damage caused by chemical treatments, heat-styling tools, or environmental factors.
- Protects hair from damage: A hair spa treatment protects your hair by forming a protective layer on the hair cuticles. It reduces frizz, prevents moisture loss, and shields your hair from harmful UV rays, weather, pollution, and dirt.
- Strengthens the hair roots: A hair spa treatment provides essential minerals and nutrients to your scalp and strengthens your hair roots. It prevents hair fall, breakage, split ends, and brittle hair.
- Stimulates hair growth: A hair spa treatment activates dormant hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. It helps in elevating the length and density of your hair. It also improves the color and quality of your hair.
General Queries
What are the causes of dandruff?
The different causes of dandruff are dry skin, not shampooing often enough, irritated and oily skin, Malassezia (yeast-like fungus), sensitivity to hair products (contact dermatitis), and skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis. (11)
How many times should you do a hair spa to remove dandruff from your hair?
Remember, dandruff doesn’t go away with just one hair spa. Therefore, it is crucial to have at least a couple of hair spa treatments every month. Besides getting an antidandruff hair spa treatment, daily brush your hair, wash it, and apply oil.
According to experts, your dandruff can be completely treated with around eight sessions of hair spa treatment.
Final Word
A hair spa is an excellent way to give yourself me-time and pamper your hair. You can say goodbye to dandruff and other scalp issues and enhance the health and beauty of your hair as well.
So, don’t wait any longer and give your hair a much-needed spa session.
References
- Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T. Dandruff: The most commercially exploited skin disease. Indian journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2887514/. Published 2010.
- Rudramurthy SM, Honnavar P, Dogra S, Yegneswaran PP, Handa S, Chakrabarti A. Association of malassezia species with Dandruff. The Indian journal of medical research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4069738/. Published March 2014.
- Aesthetic dermatology. Google Books. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=83KSDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA74&dq=hair%2Bspa%2Bfor%2Bdandruff%2B&ots=MxAysvTf6M&sig=7KvFi7pz9MgIvUlX2f3g2tznps0&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false.
- Trüeb RM, Henry JP, Davis MG, Schwartz JR. Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress. International journal of trichology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369642/. Published 2018.
- Impact factor: 6.252 a review on Herbal Anti Dandruff hair mask. https://ijarsct.co.in/Paper5600.pdf.
- Turner GA, Hoptroff M, Harding CR. Stratum corneum dysfunction in Dandruff. International journal of cosmetic science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3494381/. Published August 2012.
- Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. https://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue3/Issue_sept_2012/9.1.pdf.
- Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair oils: Indigenous knowledge revisited. International journal of trichology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9231528/. Published 2022.
- D’Souza P, Rathi SK. Shampoo and conditioners: What a dermatologist should know? Indian journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4458934/. Published 2015.
- Sakthi D. Effectiveness of fenugreek seed paste on dandruff among adolescent girls in selected women’s hostel, Coimbatore. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research. https://ijneronline.com/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=International%2BJournal%2Bof%2BNursing%2BEducation%2Band%2BResearch%3BPID%3D2014-2-2-13. Published June 28, 2014.
- Review on formulation and evaluation of Herbal Antidandruff Shampoo. https://ijprajournal.com/issue_dcp/A%20Review%20on%20Formulation%20and%20Evaluation%20of%20Herbal%20AntiDandruff%20Shampoo.pdf.