Dandruff is an uncomfortable but treatable condition, and one of the most common methods for treating dandruff is the use of medicated shampoos. There are five main dandruff shampoo ingredients, each of which fights dandruff in a different way. You may want to experiment with shampoos with different ingredients to find the one that works best for you.
Zinc Pyrithione
Zinc pyrithione is an antibacterial and antifungal agent that fights dandruff by targeting and eliminating the fungus on the scalp that can cause dandruff. Zinc pyrithione is the active ingredient in several common dandruff shampoos, including Head & Shoulders and Selsun Salon.
Coal Tar
A byproduct created during coal manufacture, coal tar slows down the process of skin cell death on your scalp, which in turn slows down the process of flaking. For this reason, coal tar is used as an ingredient in shampoos that target dandruff. Coal tar is the active ingredient in Neutrogena T-Gel and other dandruff shampoos.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in acne medications because of its ability to dry up pimples, but its ability to alter the surface of the skin also makes it a popular ingredient in dandruff shampoos, including Ionil T. Salicylic acid scrubs away the top surface of the scalp, eliminating the scaling that can lead to flakes. If you're using a shampoo with salicylic acid, you may want to follow it with a moisturizing conditioner, since salicylic acid can having a drying effect on skin.
Selenium sulfide
The selenium sulfide used in some dandruff shampoos slows down the process of skin cell death on your scalp, leading to fewer flakes and less dryness. Selenium sulfide shampoos can be effective in treating dandruff, but be aware that selenium sulfide can affect the color of your hair if you're naturally blond, gray or if you use hair color. Selsun Blue and other dandruff shampoos use selenium sulfide as an active ingredient.
Ketoconazole
Like zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole is an antifungal agent that works by attacking fungus on the scalp to halt dryness and flakes. Nizoral and other dandruff shampoos use ketoconazole to fight dandruff.
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