Dandruff can happen to anyone, and whoever has experienced it will agree that it looks unattractive and embarrassing. However, the itching and flaking caused by dandruff can always be prevented by establishing a proper hair care routine. Given below is a hair care routine to prevent dandruff and to keep your hair nourished, healthy, and free of infections.

1. Start oiling your hair
Oiling your hair is the first step for dandruff treatments. Apply oil to your scalp every week, which will help moisturize and condition your hair. Natural oils such as coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and effectively keep dandruff away. Massage your scalp with warm oil and leave it on for an hour before rinsing it off with shampoo.

2. Cleanse your scalp
Infrequent hair washing can cause a build-up of sebum, leaving unwanted oiliness and dead skin cells in your hair. This makes your hair prone to dandruff. Cleansing your scalp a few times a week with a gentle sulfate-free cleanser will help keep your hair dandruff-free and act as a dandruff treatment. Also, avoid using hot water as it will strip off essential oils and moisture from the scalp. Use cool or lukewarm water for washing your hair.

3. Use a hydrating conditioner
Give a moisture boost to your scalp by using a conditioner after shampooing. Conditioning your hair will keep it nourished while preventing dryness. If your hair is on the oily side, apply conditioner from the mid-length towards the end of the hair. While for dry hair, apply conditioner on the full length of your hair. For the best results, leave the conditioner for a minimum of one minute before washing.

4. Apply hair mask
One of the dandruff treatments for preventing dandruff is using a hair mask. A hair mask treatment will provide extra moisture, shine, and strength to your hair and solve many hair problems. It is a great way to detoxify the roots while providing essential nutrients to the scalp. Apply a hair mask after you shampoo and condition your hair for best results. If your hair is prone to dryness, a hair mask treatment can be done once or twice a week as a part of your hair care routine.

5. Exfoliate your scalp
Regular scalp exfoliation is one of the dandruff treatments to follow. Once or twice a week, exfoliate your scalp, which will help remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and dandruff. Many hair care brands offer scalp scrubs to provide scalp exfoliation, which keeps your scalp clean and dandruff-free.

To prevent dandruff and maintain a healthy scalp, incorporate every single step mentioned above. Also, avoid using hair care products that contain harsh ingredients as it may lead to dryness, itchiness, and irritation in the scalp.