Dandruff may appear as a common hair problem, but its repercussions extend beyond the scalp, often causing discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and eyebrows. Fortunately, nature offers various remedies to combat dandruff effectively, and lime stands out as a humble yet beneficial option. Beyond its culinary uses, lime can contribute to hair care. This article explores the use of lime juice for addressing dandruff issues and provides additional insights to enhance your understanding of its benefits.
What is Dandruff?
Before digging deeper into why and how to use lime juice to treat dandruff, let us look at the issue. Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. It is a condition in which the skin on the scalp starts to flake, which spreads to other areas like hair, eyebrows, mustache, beard, and shoulders over time. Other common signs and symptoms are a dry scalp, scaly scalp, itchy scalp, etc. Stress and extreme weather (dry and cold seasons) can make the symptoms of dandruff severe. In infants, dandruff often causes the scalp to be scaly and crusty, known as ‘cradle cap.’ Recommended dandruff treatments often include using a mild daily shampoo or an over-the-counter (OTC) medicated shampoo. Besides, adding vitamins to the daily diet and trying home remedies like lime, lemon, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, etc., may also help. (1)
Dandruff is not contagious. It also does not lead to any serious health or hair concern. But it is extremely annoying and sometimes even embarrassing too. The treatment of dandruff is also very tricky as the symptoms may return later.
Read Also – How to Cure Acne Due to Dandruff? Best Home Remedies and Tips You Should Follow
Causes of Dandruff
Several factors can dry out and irritate the scalp, leaving it flaky, itchy, and full of dandruff. Following are some of the most common causes of it:
- A yeast-like fungus called Malassezia, which feeds on the sebum on the scalp
- Contact dermatitis or sensitivity to hair care and styling products
- Certain skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Irritated skin
- Allergic reactions
- Irregular use of shampoo
Dandruff can appear on the scalp of anyone. However, males, young adults, and neurology patients are known to be more vulnerable to it.
Why Use Lime Juice for Dandruff?
Lime is one of the most popular citrus fruits. It is round, bright green, and sour. Just like other citrus fruits, lime is also considered a nutritional powerhouse for its high contents of antioxidants, vitamins (B and C), minerals, and citric acid. This combination of nutrients helps boost our immune system, which is essential for maintaining healthy hair. According to a study conducted in 2015, lime juice acts as a natural pH adjuster for the scalp by absorbing excess oil and sebum from it (2). As a result, it eliminates flakes and buildup from the scalp and helps maintain its pH to 5.5. As a result, you can stay away from dandruff and other related issues. Another study conducted in 2017 also revealed that vitamin B in the fruit improves skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, which is often regarded as a trigger for dandruff (3).
7 Easy Ways to Use Lime Juice for Dandruff
Use any of the following lime juice remedies for curing dandruff and get excellent results within a few days:
1. Lime Juice Wash
Consider incorporating fresh lime juice into the last rinse when washing your hair for an adequate remedy. Squeeze a lime into the water and use it to rinse your locks. This straightforward yet powerful solution can enhance the overall health of your hair by replenishing the natural oil and moisture balance on your scalp. Additionally, the acidic properties of the lime juice aid in exfoliating dead cells from the scalp, effectively combating dandruff.
2. Lime Juice and Coconut Oil
Take four tablespoons of coconut oil and warm it up a little. Add two tablespoons of fresh lime juice to it and mix well. Now, massage your scalp with this blend and leave for 15 minutes. Finally, wash it off with a mild shampoo. Following this routine at least thrice a week will help achieve the ideal pH balance of the scalp and get rid of dandruff gradually. For better results, you can add two tablespoons of castor oil to this mixture.
Read Also – Everything About Using Baking Soda Shampoo for Dandruff and Hair Loss
3. Lime Juice and Olive Oil
Mix two tablespoons of lime juice with two tablespoons of olive oil. Warm the mixture a little and use it on your scalp and hair. Massage gently with your fingertips and let it go deep into the scalp by leaving for 30 minutes. Then, rinse with fresh cold water. It is one of the best ways to drive away dandruff.
4. Lime Juice and Hazelnut Oil
The oil from hazelnuts can also be combined with lime juice to remove dandruff. Take each ingredient in equal quantity and blend well. Next, heat the mixture to some extent. Then, massage your scalp with it in a circular motion for at least 20 minutes. Finally, wash away with a gentle shampoo to get dandruff-free hair.
5. Lime Juice and Apple Cider Vinegar
Prepare a blend by mixing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one tablespoon of lime juice and apply it all over your hair with the help of a cotton ball. It will take almost half an hour to sit on your scalp. After that, wash your hair with a shampoo and condition it properly. If you wish, you can also opt for an overnight application. Doing this at least 3 to 4 days a week will cure your dandruff problem successfully.
6. Lime Juice and Multani Mitti Pack
Including lime juice in your Multani mitti hair pack will help you easily ward off dandruff. Add two tablespoons of Multani mitti or Fuller’s earth and one tablespoon of lime juice. Combine a smooth paste and use it on your hair weekly.
7. Lime Juice and Yogurt Pack
Plain yogurt is another remarkable ingredient that can be added to lime juice to eliminate dandruff. Make a semi-liquid hair pack by mixing these two things and leave it on your hair for half an hour before rinsing off. You can also add honey or amla extract to this mixture to prevent the recurrence of dandruff.
Potential Side Effects of Lime Juice
While lime is generally considered a safe, natural ingredient for combating dandruff, direct contact with the skin may lead to specific side effects or uncomfortable symptoms. These can include redness, dryness, burning, stinging, irritation, contact reaction (phytophotodermatitis), inflammation, blisters, dark pigmentation, and increased dandruff. It’s essential to be mindful of these potential reactions when using lime for hair care. (4)
Always consult your doctor before trying lemon juice for dandruff removal at home. You should not be allergic to it or taking any medication that can interact with it. Do a patch test beforehand to know whether you should go for this natural remedy or skip it.
Read Also – Home Remedies to Treat Dandruff and Oily Hair
Summary:
Lime juice is a great natural remedy for dandruff. It contains lots of antioxidants, vitamins, and citric acid which cumulatively help in keeping the scalp nourished and flake-free. You can include lime juice in your regular hair care routine in the form of rinse, pack, and mask. However, it is always good to do a patch test before trying these remedies to ensure that no allergic reaction is going to happen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Lime Juice Damage Hair?
Fresh lime juice does not cause any hair damage. But ensure you do not stay in the sun for long after applying the remedy. It will damage your hair cuticles, thus affecting the health of hair fibers.
Can Consuming Lime Juice Improve Hair Heath?
While lime juice is good for our internal health, its relation to the health of our hair is yet to be proven.
Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?
There is no direct connection between dandruff and hair loss. However, the issue can cause itchiness and make you tempted to scratch the scalp, damaging the hair follicles and leading to hair loss over time.
Which oil is good for dandruff?
Some great oils for treating dandruff are tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and extra virgin coconut oil.
Can a Hot Shower Cause Dandruff?
Washing your hair with piping-hot water can dry your scalp by removing natural oils and moisture. This usually results in dandruff.
References:
- “Dandruff,” MayoClinic.org
- “Shampoo and Conditioners: What a Dermatologist Should Know?“, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Is Lemon Good for Hair? Benefits and Risks“, Healthline.com
