Best shampoo for dandruff

What is Dandruff and ‘what causes it?’

Dandruff is a mild skin condition indicated by the presence of usually white and rarely yellowish or reddish dead skin flakes, found in on scalp dispersed in hair and at time falling onto the shoulders. Best shampoos for dandruff are meant to prevent five characteristics signs of dandruff and they are; flakes, itchiness, irritation, oily or dry scalp. Mild conditions of dandruff are caused by the excessive production of ‘Sebum’; the skin oil secreted by sebaceous glands, whereas more resistant dandruff is caused by a yeasteral or fungal infection by Malassezia or Pityrosporum ovale. Malassezia thrives upon oil therefore an oily scalp is more susceptible to dandruff and the best shampoos for dandruff aim at its elimination.. Sometimes, a type of dandruff; known as ‘cradle scalp’, is seen in infants but it disappears automatically, within a few weeks or a couple of months without any serious repercussions.

Best shampoo for dandruff

Since not all the skins are equally sensitive, some tend to be allergic towards antidandruff shampoos. It is imperative in such cases, not to apply antidandruff shampoo directly to scalp, rather to test it first on some less exposed area. As a precaution, use only the time tested or recommended products, as ‘devil known is better than the unknown’. Go through the ingredients and note if they are approved. FDA (Food and Drug administration) has approved the use of following in antidandruff shampoos, as active ingredients; Ketoconazole, Tar, pyrithione Zinc, Salicylic acid, Selenium sulphide and sulphur. Ketoconazole was formerly a prescription drug but in 19997 FDA (Food and Dug administration) approved it as OTC (Over the Counter) medication. Ketoconazole is the active ingredient of Nizoral A-D shampoo and being an effective anti fungal can terminate P.Ovale fungus; the causative organism of dandruff as it can grow on sebum; the skin oil.

Which are some reputable medicated Shampoos?

Zinc pyrithione formula works well as antidandruff. Among many others a few of the medicated , antidandruff shampoos are, Neutrogena T/Gel, Sebulex, DHS Targel, Ionil-T Plus, MG217, Scalpicin, Tegrin, Zircon, Denorex etc. Most these shampoos contain only FDA approved ingredients but should not be used for mild conditions.

Which are top five anti Dandruff Shampoos?

Following are considered top five anti dandruff shampoos; Head & Shoulders; Nizoral Anti Dandruff shampoo, Garner Fructis Fortifying Anti Dandruff Shampoo, Pantene Pro-V Rlaxed and Selsun Blue. Since there are so many influencing factors, like the type of skin, production of sebum, presence of causative fungus, environmental factors, age, sex   etc., a specific shampoo can not be rated as the best to be pinpointed with a scientific precision. We are however, of the opinion that Garner Fructis Fortifying Anti dandruff Shampoo, serves the purpose best. An alternate massage of lime juice followed by mustard oil massage with intermediate and final wash with any normal shampoo is considered an effective treatment of dandruff on domestic level in some countries. Mild require cleansing only, however medicated shampoo should be used for stubborn dandruff.