Is Tar the Right Dandruff Home Remedy for You?

Most cases of mild dandruff can be controlled by cleansing your hair every day with a gentle shampoo. But, sometimes, washing with your regular shampoo just isn't enough. You need something stronger, and made specifically to treat dandruff.

You can buy many different dandruff shampoos over the counter, all of which contain different ingredients that treat dandruff in different ways. And one of the most common, and most effective, ingredients found in dandruff shampoos is tar.

Why Treat Dandruff with Tar-Based Shampoos

In many cases, dandruff is caused by a build-up of dead skin cells on the scalp. Eventually, these cells clump together, forming the white or yellowish flakes you too often see on the shoulders of the black sweater or dark blue jacket you're wearing.

Tar (an ingredient found in shampoos like Neutrogena T/Gel) retards cell growth, cutting down on the production of those dead skin cells. And fewer dead skin cells means less dandruff.

But What About the Smell?

Many people avoid using tar-based shampoos thinking they will leave an unpleasant smell in their hair. But there are many of the tar-based shampoos made today leave your hair smelling the way any regular shampoo would.

Ask around. See if anyone you know has used a tar-based shampoo, and ask them what the smell was like. In most cases, any reservations you have about the way these shampoos smell will be put to rest.

Will It Change Your Hair Color?

Some people with blond, gray or silver hair have found that tar-based shampoos can stain their hair, leaving it with a brownish tint. So, if you have light hair, you might want to find another dandruff home remedy.

Using Tar-Based Shampoos

When using a tar-based shampoo to treat dandruff, make sure you give it time to work. After you lather up, leave the shampoo in for at least 5 minutes. Then rinse.

Use the dandruff shampoo daily at first. Once your dandruff is under control, you can cut back to using tar-based shampoos two or three times a week.

What If I Can't Use It Every Day?

The directions on many tar-based shampoos will instruct you to wash with them every day. But if you find daily treatments are too hard on your hair, alternate. Use the dandruff shampoo one day, your regular shampoo the next.

The Other Benefits of Tar-Based Shampoos

Researchers believe a yeast-like fungus called malassezia contributes to dandruff problems. And tar has antifungal properties that help to fight malassezia.

For those worried that a dandruff shampoo will be too harsh and will damage or dry out their hair, you don't have to worry. Tar actually conditions and softens the hair. So using a tar-based shampoo often means you don't have to use a heavy conditioner after shampooing. This is good because heavy conditioners can make dandruff worse.

If you've been searching for a way to treat this troublesome, and often embarrassing, condition, tar might be just the dandruff home remedy you've been looking for.