The onset of dandruff may be out of our control, but curing it certainly isn’t. There is a wide range of treatments available, including shampoo, creams and also home remedies.
1. Anti-dandruff shampoo
Anti-dandruff shampoos are easy to come by and can be purchased from most supermarkets and beauty stores. Similarly to ordinary shampoos, not all anti-dandruff shampoos are made equal.
The five main anti-dandruff ingredients are:
- Zinc pyrithione – reduces Malassezia fungus. Try Head & Shoulders.
- Salicylic acid – eliminates scales but can dry the skin. Try Neutrogena.
- Selenium sulphide – reduces Malassezia and flaking. Try Selsun.
- Ketoconazole – kills fungus. Try Nizoral.
- Coal tar – reduces the rate of flaking, inflammation and kills fungus. Try T/Gel.
TOP TIP: Use your anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week, and a normal shampoo in between washes to help your dry scalp.
To get a better idea of which shampoo will be the best dandruff cure for you, it’s advised to do a full investigation of your scalp. You may also have to experiment with several different brands and ingredients until you find one that works for you.
And if anti-dandruff shampoos don’t work?
If you don’t see an improvement in your dandruff after a week or so of using the shampoo, it may be time to pay your doctor a visit.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a more severe version of common dandruff, which is likely to require topical steroid or antifungal creams/ointments to treat successfully.