Dandruff, or seborrheic dermititis, is a common skin problem. It tends to occur more often in men than women, and in people with oily skin, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dandruff is usually an ongoing problem and can be countered by a diligent routine of washing your hair as often as possible or necessary, with the right kind of shampoo. Mild dandruff can usually be eliminated with a gentle shampoo designed to reduce skin cell buildup and cut down oiliness. For more stubborn cases, shampoos specifically designed for dandruff might help. Their effectiveness depends on the ingredients and the way in which you use them.
Causes
The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, but two likely culprits, at least some of the time, are hormones, and a fungus called malassezia. Certain underlying medical conditions can cause dandruff, and the treatment of those conditions will alleviate dandruff. For some reason, people who suffer from neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and epilepsy, as well as AIDS, will often have dandruff, but it is not known what the connection is. Even infants often have dandruff; in their case it is called "cradle cap."
Two Mechanisms
Dandruff shampoos work in one or two ways, and some combine both: one prevents skin cells from dying prematurely and flaking off. The other eradicates the fungus that is likely to be the cause. In a mild case of dandruff, just using a good conditioner in conjunction with a dandruff shampoo will most likely relieve the scalp's dryness.
Antifungal
Dandruff shampoos contain certain medications that differ among shampoos, so not all dandruff shampoos are created equal. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), clinical studies show that antifungal properties in dandruff shampoos correlate with their effectiveness in controlling yeast, and therefore dandruff. Nizoral 2% was ten times better at eliminating yeast cells than Nizoral 1%, and 100% better than any other product.
Usage
You should use dandruff shampoo daily. Leave the shampoo in the hair for at least five minutes so the ingredients get a chance to work. Once the dandruff subsides somewhat, cut back to two or three times a week. You can alternate between different dandruff shampoos, which can help keep the effectiveness high. Beware that some dandruff shampoos, like Ionil T, which contains salicylic acid, might make your scalp too dry, which could produce more flaking. You can prevent this from happening by using a good conditioner in conjunction with the shampoo, or by trying a different kind of shampoo.
Alternatives
The Mayo Clinic states that tea tree oil is effective in combating dandruff. Some shampoos have tea tree oil added to them, others have it as their main ingredient. These shampoos are available at health food stores; while effective, they might cause skin irritations in some people. Limited exposure to sunlight--not sunbathing--can reduce the formation of dandruff drastically.Cut down on the amount of styling products you use, and get enough zinc and Vitamin B in your diet or through supplements.
