Use lemon for dandruff is just one of many home-made techniques that we can find on the Internet when looking for solutions to get rid of the white spots on the head.

According to trichologist Adriano Almeida, using the juice of the citrus fruit can be effective against seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, but can also offer health risks.

Read also: Learn about the causes and treatments for dandruff

Is it possible to use lemon for dandruff after all?

It's not new that people say that lemon can be a good ally in the fight against dandruff But, after all, does this technique work?

According to Almeida, fruit can really do away with the white spots. Here's why:

"Lemon changes the pH of the region where it is applied, hindering the vitality and spread of fungi and bacteria, including those that cause dandruff," he explains.

Although it is an effective trick, however, the professional does not recommend that it be used.

This is because the fruit can yield some health risks to the scalp, in particular phytophotodermatosis.

This is a dermatosis - a persistent allergic manifestation - that happens from the combination of contact of a photosensitizing plant on the skin and exposure to the sun.

The typical example of this problem is the lemon burn .

"However, the technique can still cause itching, blisters, and wounds on the scalp," warns the doctor.

Read also: Lemon blotch on the skin: Learn how to prevent and know other fruits that do not go well with the sun

How to treat dandruff

According to Almeida, the most indicated treatment to end this problem is the use of anti-dandruff shampoos .

"I do not recommend home-made recipes for this purpose, so because it is fungus and bacteria, the treatment can be simple, just by using shampoo," he says.

Read also: Does dandruff shampoo dry out your hair? Find out!

"The most indicated and safest products, in turn, are those based on ketoconazole, celamine or other antifungals."

It is worth pointing out, however, that pregnant and lactating women should not use antifungal products without medical advice.

The ideal, therefore, is to always seek a professional to assess the condition individually and indicate the best treatment.

Source: Adriano Almeida, trichologist, professor of hair transplants, and President of the Brazilian Hair Society, in São Paulo.