Bicarbonate of Soda to Treat Dandruff

by David
(UK)

Bicarbonate of Soda

Bicarbonate of Soda

I have had occasional dandruff for the last 20 years or so. It gets a little worse when I travel - I am not sure what triggers the occasional worsening.
I have always used typical anti-dandruff shampoos (like Head and Shoulders or H&S) and it normally works for 24 to 48 hours.
What then usually happens is that the dandruff gets worse and sometimes I have to use the shampoo everyday.
When I use it every day, my scalp sometimes breaks out with little lesions and then I have to stop and live with the dandruff and after a few days, my scalp calms down.
The issue was really starting to bother me. Doctors where out of the question because they would have dealt with the symptoms and not the cause. I was not interested in more chemicals.
After some research on DIY sites (not the typical "med" sites that Google and Yahoo are quick to send you to), I tried a small handful of bicarbonate of soda. A few days later, my dandruff was better. I used the bicarb as a shampoo and an apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.
I am writing this post about 3 months after I started with bicarb and I have not had a speck of dandruff since. I stopped using the vinegar because there was no difference with my hair, whether I used it or not.
I "bicarb" my hair every 3 to 4 days, when I see or feel that it is getting a little grubby - nothing else.
This simple DIY tip has changed my life. Of course, there are more serious things in life but what I mean is that this proved to me that what they tell you in media advertising is not necessarily true and that these chemical concoctions can actually make what they are treating, worse.
Try it out. I found that my dandruff was totally gone after about 2 weeks - about 4 washes.
At the moment, I still use a regular supermarket bicarb, but when this container is finished, I will buy the most natural one that I can find.
(The image is just for illustration - I have never used this brand)

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High pH balance
by: Stacey

Bicarbonate of soda (or baking soda) has a low pH balance and can disrupt your scalp's natural pH balance. For some people, it is way too drying and can cause their hair to become brittle and dry.

I've actually had a really good experience with baking soda though, as I have a naturally oily complexion.

So while this works for you and I, I always caution readers about baking soda (especially women) because, in general, people who use a lot of products in their hair or heat style their hair have a bad experience with baking soda.

Also, because baking soda has a low pH balance, it is highly suggested that you rinse your hair afterwards with a mixture of 1 cup water and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. This has a slightly high pH balance that will restore your scalp to normal and soften your hair. I also add 1 tbsp aloe vera gel.

Hope this helps!

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Great Post
by: Amelia

Thanks for your great post.

I have been using bicarb as shampoo for the last month on and off (i went travelling for 2 weeks and didn't use bicarb). I m noticing dandruff in my hair more than usual at the moment.

Your post has reassured me. I will make sure i use the bicarb every wash and hopefully I will see improvements in the dandruff.

So true what you said about advertising and the media.
So many products are either unnecessary or simply not good for the consumer, but we are allowed to be blatantly lied to through advertising, to convince us that we 'need' these products.

It happens in every industry. Money is king.

Good to know there are others going against the grain.

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