Smelly hair, as the name suggests, is characterized by an undesirable smell originating from the hair and scalp. It can be caused by a condition called smelly hair syndrome. It can haunt people of any age and is not related to bad health.
Why Does My Hair Smell Bad?
Oily hair is more prone to this condition due to the fact that it gets environmental pollutants and strong smells more readily.
Also, aspects like stress and hormonal imbalance can contribute to this embarrassing problem. Scalp psoriasis and infections, particularly fungal infections, are also causes.
How to Treat a Smelly Hair Naturally?
Here are the leading 8 home remedies for smelly hair.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is among the most extensively used home treatments for smelly hair since it helps reduce the effects of nasty smells and decreases oiliness.
- Mix one part baking soda in three parts water.
- Rinse your hair with water and use the baking soda paste on your wet hair.
- Leave it on for about 5 minutes and then clean your hair.
- Repeat the process once a week.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar works as a natural hair clarifier and gets rid of product buildup that can add to smelly and oily hair. It also assists restore your hair’s normal pH, adds shine, and avoids frizzes.
- Add one-half cup of natural apple cider vinegar to two cups of pure water and mix in 3 drops of a necessary oil such as lavender, rose, or others. Spray the solution throughout your hair and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Wash it out with cold water.
- You can simply rinse your hair with a solution of half tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one cup of water. Leave it on for about a minute prior to washing it out.
You can likewise use apple cider vinegar after the baking soda remedy. Do not use it more than two times a week, though.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is excellent for your skin as well as hair. It will leave your hair smelling fresh and clean. Plus, it will promote smooth, shiny hair and fight problems like dandruff and scalp infections.
- Water down the juice squeezed from two lemons in a cup of water. After shampooing, work the mix into your hair and scalp. Leave it on for a few minutes prior to rinsing it off. Do this once or twice a week.
- If you have a fungal infection on your scalp, blend the juice from one lemon in one cup of plain yogurt. Work it into your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes prior to rinsing it off. Do this when a week.
- You can likewise combine lemon juice with a fragrant essential oil like rosemary or lavender and leave it in your hair overnight. Do this two or three times a week.
Warning: Lemon juice will lighten your hair over a time period.
4. Tomato Juice
Tomato juice helps get rid of foul odors from your hair. Furthermore, the acidity in tomatoes assists stabilize the pH level in your hair.
- Apply fresh tomato juice on your scalp.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it out.
- Do this one or two times a week.
Caution: Tomato juice is most likely to lighten your hair.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that assist cure the problem of stinky hair brought on by scalp infections. It will also reduce scalp acne and dandruff.
- Water down a little tea tree oil in water and use it on your scalp. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and after that shampoo your hair.
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo (two drops per ounce of shampoo). Shampoo as normal.
You can use either of these tea tree oil treatments when a week.
6. Neem Oil
Neem, or Indian lilac, oil can be used to treat scalp infections and as a result smelly hair due to its antibacterial properties. Use it when a week.
- You can use neem oil like tea tree oil by adding it to your hair shampoo.
- Alternatively, you can use a couple of drops of this oil on your scalp, massage, and leave it on over night. Hair shampoo your hair the next early morning.
- If you do not have neem oil, boil a handful of neem leaves in water. Cool and strain the solution. Use it as a hair wash once a week.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera relieves and recovers scalp problems, consequently alleviating smelly hair. It also conditions your hair, decreases dandruff, and avoids hair loss. You can use it when a week.
- Apply fresh aloe vera gel or juice on your hair and scalp after shampooing. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes then rinse it out.
- You can likewise include one tablespoon of lemon juice and half teaspoon of aloe vera gel to your hair shampoo.
8. Honey and Cinnamon
A honey and cinnamon hair mask is considered effective in getting rid of smelly hair due to the fact that of the anti-bacterial and antifungal properties in both ingredients.
- Boil one cup of water and half teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Let it high for about half an hour.
- Mix in one teaspoon of honey.
- Use the mix on your hair and scalp, and leave it on for a couple of hours.
- Wash it off with water and then hair shampoo your hair.
- Repeat one or two times a week.
Warning: This honey and cinnamon hair mask will lighten your hair with time.
You can also take in one tablespoon of honey mixed with one-quarter teaspoon of cinnamon powder to enhance your immune system and battle infections.
Besides using these solutions, restrict your use of hair items consisting of mousses and serums. When using a conditioner, ensure you do not use it near the roots of your hair as it might contribute to oiliness and consequently smelly hair.
In addition, after cleaning your hair, do not tie it back until it is totally dry as the wet environment might motivate smelly hair.
Plus, when handling smelly hair, use a shampoo including sulfur and salicylic acid. It will also help get rid of issues like dandruff and itchy scalp.
