Can lemon actually help reduce dandruff? Let’s find out

Like many other citrus fruits, lemons contain antioxidant properties, vitamin C and valuable minerals, a combination of which helps in boosting immunity and maintaining hair health.

Recommended dandruff treatments often incude using a medicated shampoo or adding vitamins to your diet, however, some home remedies call for the use of lemons as a solution. (Source: Freepik)

Dandruff is a skin condition that causes flaking and mild itchiness on the scalp. Affecting about half of the global adult population, it can be caused due to multiple factors, including dry or oily skin, seborrheic dermatitis, sensitivity to hair products, or growth of specific types of fungus that live on your scalp. Recommended dandruff treatments often include using a medicated shampoo or adding vitamins to your diet, however, some home remedies call for the use of lemons as a solution.

Like many other citrus fruits, lemons contain antioxidant properties, vitamin C, and valuable minerals, a combination of which helps in boosting immunity and maintain hair health. But can lemons effectively fight dandruff?

Answering this very question, Dr Manjot Marwah, a dermatologist and skincare educator, wrote on Instagram, “Have you ever tried using lemons on your scalp? I hope not.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Manjot Marwah (@dr.manjot_md)

Explaining the reason, she said, that the scalp produces sebum, which is a natural oil that helps to hydrate it. But when it gets produced in excess, it leadd to dandruff. “We can control this is by sebo regulation, which entails regulating the sebum production,” she informed.

“Now, there is absolutely nothing in vitamin C or ascorbic acid or lemons that helps in sebo regulation or helps reduce sebum that is being produced. So, it definitely not going to help in controlling dandruff,” she continued.

Most people in India have dandruff either because they have dry hair or because the scalp is too oily as they don’t wash their hair often. (Source: Freepik)

So, what does it actually do? Dr Marwah said, “When we apply lemon on the scalp, it only irritates it. It also causes a bit of dryness, which is, however, temporary. What our scalp then does is produce more sebum the next day. In reality, when you use lemon on your scalp, you may get a feeling that it is working, but this is only temporary because the next day you’ll realise that it is actually getting worse.”

However, Karishma Shah, an Integrative Nutritionist and Health Coach disagreed with this claim. “Most people in India have dandruff either because they have dry hair or their scalp is too oily as they don’t wash their hair often. Lemon has astringent properties that can help keep your scalp clean. Moreover, it contains antimicrobial contents which make it an effective dandruff treatment. It also helps balance the pH of the scalp to keep dandruff at bay,” she told indianexpress.com.

Lemon has other benefits for hair health as well, said Shah, adding, “It provides vitamin C, citric acid, flavonoids and iron — all nutrients essential for hair. They also strengthen the hair follicles and eliminate excess oils in the scalp that leads to buildup and scalp flakes. Lemons also promote collage production to help repair damaged skin cells.”

Story continues below this ad

ALSO READ | Is oiling the ultimate solution to dandruff, growth and hair fall?

However, she recommended not applying lemon directly onto the scalp. “Instead, mix it with curd, mashed bananas or honey, or else it can cause irritation to the scalp. Additionally, if the dandruff is too severe, home remedies like lemon juice won’t help. It might instead worsen the problem or lead to inflammation. In such a scenario, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist, who can provide a medical solution to dandruff,” she concluded.

📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!