What to Look for in Anti-Dandruff Shampoos

Dandruff, those scaly, itchy white flakes, has been troubling people for a long time -- according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word "dandruff" has been around since 1545. But what causes dandruff, how can you treat it and how can you prevent it from coming back?

Causes of Dandruff

While all scalps shed dead skin, dandruff occurs when shedding increases significantly. Symptoms include an itchy scalp and skin cells clumping together to form those large, white flakes. Factors that can cause dandruff include an excessive growth of yeast called malassezia and compromised immune systems either from stress or from medical conditions. A compromised immune system can sometimes also cause hair thinning.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

Fortunately, there are certain over-the-counter drugs used in anti-dandruff shampoos that can treat the scalp and alleviate symptoms. For best results, look for anti-dandruff shampoos that have at least two of the following FDA-approved ingredients:

Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT) - Zinc pyrithione is an FDA-approved anti-fungal treatment for dandruff.

Coal Tar - Coal tar acts as an anti-itch and proliferation agent to slow down the production of skin cells.

Ketoconazole - Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal treatment for the yeast malassezia, a common cause of dandruff.

Salicylic Acid - Salicylic acid, used in combination with coal tar or sulfur, is a proven treatment for dandruff.

Selenium Sulfide - The FDA recommends selenium sulfide to be included as an active ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos as a preventative for future outbreaks.

Sulfur- When sulfur is used in combination with salicylic acid, it becomes an effective treatment for dandruff.

When looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo, it is essential to seek out products that are gentle and pH balanced. Because malassezia thrives in oily hair, daily shampooing is vital to keep the yeast in check. The scalp is also sensitive during an outbreak of dandruff and a gentler shampoo will help relieve itching. A good pH-balanced, gentle shampoo will prevent the hair from being damaged from the daily shampooing. Some manufacturers now have companion conditioning treatments that pair up with their anti-dandruff shampoos, giving users relief from dandruff and increasing the health of the hair.

It is essential to read the shampoo's directions completely prior to using the product. Some anti-dandruff shampoos must be left on the scalp for a few minutes to allow the shampoo's active ingredients work properly, while other require the hair to be washed and rinsed twice. Remember to massage the scalp as well as the hair while shampooing to break up the waxy flakes.

When looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo, be aware that anti-dandruff shampoos have various formulas and ingredients. For more information on specific dandruff products, it is best to visit the manufacturer's Web site for the most current information on anti-dandruff shampoos.

References:

OTC Options: Controlling Dandruff; Audrey T. Hingley, FDA Consumer 10/01/1994
Dandruff, Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Drug Products Containing Coal Tar and Menthol for Over the Counter Human Use ; Jeffrey Shuren, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, December 5, 2005.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
P&G Dandruff Factsheet
Ingredients & Dosages Transferred From RX to OTC Status (or New OTC Approvals) by the Food and Drug Administration Since 1975; December 2, 2009
Seborrheic Dermatitis Information ; Mayo Clinic Staff, June 16, 2009
New Yeast Species, Malassezia Dermatis, Isolated from Patients with Atopic Dermatitis;Takashi Sugita, Masako Takashima, Takako Shinoda, Hajime Suto, Tetsushi Unno, Ryoji Tsuboi, Hideoki Ogawa, and Akemi Nishikawa, Journal of Clinical Microbiology, April 2002, p. 1363-1367, Vol. 40, No. 4
Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology , Volume 4; James Swarbrick