Dandruff results in an itchy and flaky scalp, so it can be uncomfortable as well as embarrassing. However, it is easy and inexpensive to treat in your own at home.
Function
Anti-dandruff solutions help reduce dandruff by getting rid of the extra oils and flakes of skin that cause the dandruff. In mild cases, the same results can be achieved through daily washing with a mild shampoo, according to the Mayo Clinic. More persistent cases will need over-the-counter or even prescription shampoos to resolve the problem.
Types
Dandruff shampoos can contain various active ingredients or medications. These include coal tar, ketoconazole, resorcinol, salicylic acid, selenium and zinc, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For those who want a more natural solution, shampooing daily with tea tree oil is sometimes effective, according to the Mayo Clinic. If one type of dandruff solution doesn't work, try one with a different active ingredient.
Considerations
Stress and styling products can make dandruff worse, while sunlight and eating healthfully can improve the condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some people are allergic to tea tree oil, but several dandruff shampoos contain that ingredient. Check the ingredients before purchasing a dandruff shampoo.
Warning
Some ingredients that are commonly contained in anti-dandruff solutions are associated with health concerns. These include benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, coal tar, ethyl alcohol, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, propylene glycol, selenium sulfide and triethanolamine, according to the Good Guide, a website that ranks products based on their environmental, health and social effects.
Expert Insight
The Environmental Working Group, an environmental and health research and advocacy group, recommends avoiding any shampoo that contains coal tar, parabens, phthalates, or sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate because these might have adverse health effects, including scalp irritation and the possibility of an increased risk of cancer. Phthalates are often not listed on labels, but they can be included under "fragrances," so fragrance-free shampoos are safer.
