Constantly fighting flakes off your shoulders and trying the different ‘best anti-dandruff shampoos’ out there? We’ve all been there and while medically, dandruff isn’t much to worry about, it can surely be embarrassing. What can anti-dandruff shampoos do for you? Finally let you embrace your hair truly, for one. First let’s understand what causes dandruff – it can be a combination of fungal growth on the scalp and inflammation that collectively results in flaking and itching. That’s why dandruff tends to flare up more during certain seasons. The best anti-dandruff shampoos recommended by dermatologists are ones with anti-fungal ingredients like pyrithione zinc and the best way to make these work – let them sit on your scalp for a few minutes before gently rinsing them off to really get the job done.
As I mentioned earlier, several shampoos are effective in fighting dandruff, and can also help in removing dandruff. Some popular options include
- Nizoral A-D: Contains the active ingredient ketoconazole, which helps to control the growth of yeast on the scalp and remove dandruff.
- Head & Shoulders: Contains the active ingredient pyrithione zinc, which helps to control the growth of the fungus that can cause dandruff, and can remove dandruff effectively.
- Selsun Blue: Contains the active ingredient selenium sulfide, which helps to control the growth of the fungus that can cause dandruff, and can remove dandruff effectively.
- Neutrogena T/Gel: Contains the active ingredient coal tar, which helps to control the growth of the fungus that can cause dandruff, and can remove dandruff effectively.
In addition to the shampoos that I previously mentioned, there are other options that can help to remove dandruff. Some other effective ingredients include
- Salicylic acid: helps to remove dead skin cells from the scalp and can also help to reduce inflammation.
- Tea tree oil: has antifungal properties that can help to control the growth of the fungus that causes dandruff.
- coal tar: helps to slow down the growth of skin cells on the scalp, which can help to reduce flaking.
- sulfur: helps to slow down the growth of skin cells on the scalp, which can help to reduce flaking.
- Zinc pyrithione: is an antimicrobial and antifungal agent that helps to control the growth of the fungus that causes dandruff.
Another thing you can do to help remove dandruff is to use a dandruff-specific conditioner in addition to the shampoo. Some popular options include
- Selsun Blue Moisturizing Treatment: formulated to work in conjunction with the dandruff-fighting shampoo, to provide extra hydration to the scalp and hair.
- Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Hair Conditioner: formulated with coal tar to help control dandruff, but also contains a moisturizing agent to help keep hair soft and manageable.
- Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Conditioner: formulated with the same active ingredient as the shampoo, pyrithione zinc, to help control dandruff, but also includes a moisturizing agent to help keep hair soft and manageable.
