Listerine for dandruff?

[asubeauty]

When I got my touch up, the stylist told me to use Listerine for my dandruff, and that back in the day, they actually advertised their anti-dandruff properties.

She told me to wash my hair like I usually would, pour Listerine on my scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, and then deep condition as usual. When I asked about the Listerine drying out my hair, she said that it shouldn't be a problem, just make sure to rinse it out well and to deep condition. She also told me to make sure to use the gold colored original Listerine.

I haven't tried it, but I've tried everything else for dandruff, and I know that Listerine does have some antibacterial and antifungal ingredients (bacteria and fungus are thought to be causes of dandruff). However, I also know that Listerine has A LOT of alcohol in it.

What do you think about this?

 

[KAT25]

I would be a little scared to try this because I would not want my hair to dry out...............but we do try other things maybe diluted it might not be as bad

 

[gone_fishing]

I wouldn't do it, but at least you know she wasn't lying.

Listerine Dazzles With Different Uses

Posting Date: 03/22/2004

More than 100 years ago Listerine was developed as an antiseptic. At first, surgeons used it in the operating room, but before long it became a household brand. The Lambert Pharmaceutical Company marketed Listerine aggressively to treat dandruff as well as bad breath.
One 1927 ad shows fingers pointing at the shoulders of a man wearing a dark suit. The copy reads, ?Guilty! End dandruff. It offends all, this disgusting and common condition. Consequently, it affects your chances in love, society and business.?
Another ad of the same era reads, ?Unwelcome! Dandruff is avoidable. What do all your graces and charms amount to if you have dandruff? Not much. Today, dandruff is an unpardonable social offense?You simply douse Listerine, the safe antiseptic, on your scalp full strength and massage thoroughly.?
These amusing ads have disappeared, in part because such a hard sell is no more socially acceptable than dandruff itself. In addition, the makers of Listerine no longer promote their product against dandruff.
This has not deterred readers of our column from touting the benefits of Listerine against dandruff. One reader confessed: ?Back in the mid 1900s when Listerine used to be advertised to combat bad breath, it was also recommended to cure dandruff. I began massaging it into my scalp for 30 seconds every morning, and I still do. I have never had dandruff since then.?
Another reader reminisced: ?I remember that years ago, the Listerine bottle included instructions for use in treating dandruff. I've used straight Listerine many times with 100 percent success within two to three days.? We have also heard from animal lovers. One man said the vet had recommended a mixture of Listerine and mineral oil for hot spots in his dog?s fur. And a horsewoman in Washington said: ?A newly purchased filly had rubbed her mane and tail off. My farrier recommended the Listerine treatment?1/3 Listerine (original), 1/3 baby oil and 1/3 water. Put in a spray bottle, shake well and spray it on. Within a few months, her mane and tail were growing out nicely.?

Other readers have exercised their ingenuity. Some have used Listerine as a lice preventive: ?We were in the Army and moved a lot, but my kids never got lice. Teachers asked me why, since all the other children did. I put Listerine on their hair and scalp a week before school started. Be careful to keep it out of eyes.?
Others maintain that Listerine, with its combination of essential oils, works to discourage toenail fungus: ?I applied Listerine to my toenail fungus twice a day. It was very bad, and now, after four months, it is 98 percent gone.?
Perhaps the most unusual use of Listerine is to calm the pain that follows shingles: ?My aunt has had shingles and constant pain for ten years. Nothing her dermatologist or the pain management specialist prescribed has worked, but the first night she tried Listerine on her skin, she was pain-free for the first time in years. She is still pain-free after 6 days.? Listerine has not been approved by the FDA for any of these novel uses. Nevertheless, many readers still value it as an inexpensive old-fashioned remedy.

 

[localhost]

I personally wouldn't try it.

 

[Luvmylife]

Sounds like it probably would work. I personally would skip it because of the alcohol, but if my dandruff were particularly off the chain I might be tempted to try it. (I would most certainly test it out in a small spot first...never can be too careful.)

 

[Allandra]

Why don't you ask her about Sea Breeze instead?

 

[nicki6]

Please don't do that!
My beautician use to do it with Sea Breeze and it would BURN..esp after a relaxer!!!


It seems to temporarily help and then the dandruff returns with a vengeance!

 

[aloof one]

DO NOT TRY THIS.

It is LOADED with alcohol and other drying ingredients, will dry your hair out, and will leave you smelling like someone's mouth. Not to mention it will burn your scalp (think about how it burns your mouth, only more sensitive cause you havent done it before). That stuff don't work on black people, it will screw your hair up.

There are better ways. Use Sulfur 8 or the new Head & Shoulders. Besides, one day while you have bad breath and you can't find your mouth wash, you'll remember you used it all on your head. Garnier Fructis also has a dandruff shampoo but I havent tried it yet. Any of their stuff is pretty good, and I doubt they have anything in it that burns.

 

[stargazer613]

I've never tried Listerine on my scalp before, but I agree with the other posters that it will probably burn your scalp like crazy and dry your hair out....maybe try apple cider vinegar rinses (after you shampoo) or try rubbing jojoba oil on your scalp a few times a week. This has definitely helped curb my dandruff. HTH

 

[asubeauty]

DO NOT TRY THIS.

It is LOADED with alcohol and other drying ingredients, will dry your hair out, and will leave you smelling like someone's mouth. Not to mention it will burn your scalp (think about how it burns your mouth, only more sensitive cause you havent done it before). That stuff don't work on black people, it will screw your hair up.

There are better ways. Use Sulfur 8 or the new Head & Shoulders. Besides, one day while you have bad breath and you can't find your mouth wash, you'll remember you used it all on your head. Garnier Fructis also has a dandruff shampoo but I havent tried it yet. Any of their stuff is pretty good, and I doubt they have anything in it that burns.

LOL

 

[Allandra]

Please don't do that!
My beautician use to do it with Sea Breeze and it would BURN..esp after a relaxer!!!


It seems to temporarily help and then the dandruff returns with a vengeance!

Sea Breeze shouldn't be used after a relaxer! A good beautician knows just that.

 

[The Girl]

Why don't you ask her about Sea Breeze instead?

that was going to be my suggestion. I worked wonders when I was wearing individual braids yrs ago. As for the relaxer...ouch I can not even imagine the pain. They should have known better than that.

 

[YoungWavey]

Sea Breeze shouldn't be used after a relaxer! A good beautician knows just that.

i wish i should have known that when i went to the dom. salon for a touch-up and the ***** put that on my scalp...Oh lawd it felt like someone was cooking fried chicken on my scalp it burn that bad....

 

[medina78]

try the stuff called virgin hair fertilizer it works wonders for dandruff

 

[Isis]

I used Listerine several years ago for dandruff, but not by pouring it on my head, just applying it with cotton balls. This is an old, holistic remedy for dandruff that does work.
The dandruff ended when I started taking flaxseed oil internally.