Dandruff Treatment

Treatment

Dandruff is a chronic condition that can almost always be controlled, but it may take a little patience and persistence. In general, mild scaling can often be helped by daily cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oiliness and cell buildup.

When regular shampoos fail, OTC dandruff shampoos may succeed. But dandruff shampoos aren’t all alike, and you may need to experiment until you find one that works best for you. Dandruff shampoos are classified according to their active ingredient:

• Zinc pyrithione shampoos (Suave Dandruff Control Shampoo, Head & Shoulders). These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione, which has been shown to reduce the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Tar-based shampoos (Neutrogena T/Gel, Tegrin). Coal tar, a byproduct of the coal manufacturing process, helps conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis by slowing cell turnover. But coal tar has an “earthy” smell, can give light-colored hair an orange tint and may make treated skin more sensitive to sunlight.
• Shampoos containing salicylic acid (Ionil T). These “scalp scrubs” help eliminate scale, but they may leave your scalp dry, leading to more flaking. Using a conditioner after shampooing can help counter dryness.
• Selenium sulfide shampoos (Selsun, Exsel). These shampoos help prevent cell turnover and may also reduce the number of malassezia. Because they can discolor blonde, gray or chemically colored hair, be sure to use them only as directed and to rinse well after shampooing.
• Ketoconazole shampoos (Nizoral). The newest addition to the dandruff armamentarium, ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when other shampoos fail. It’s available over-the-counter as well as by prescription.

Try using one of these shampoos daily until your dandruff is controlled, then cut back to two or three times a week. If one type of shampoo works for a time and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try alternating between two types of dandruff shampoos. Be sure to leave the shampoo on for at least 5 minutes — this allows the ingredients time to work. Some experts suggest lathering twice for best results.

If you’ve shampooed faithfully for several weeks and there’s still a dusting of dandruff on your shoulders, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. You may need a prescription-strength shampoo or more aggressive treatment with a steroid lotion.

You can’t prevent dandruff, but you can take steps to reduce your risk:

• Learn to manage stress. Stress affects your overall health, making you susceptible to a number of conditions and diseases. It can even help trigger dandruff or exacerbate existing symptoms.
• Shampoo often. If you tend to have an oily scalp, daily shampooing to remove the excess oil may help prevent dandruff.
• Cut back on styling products. Hair sprays, styling gels, mousses and hair waxes can all build up on your hair and scalp, making them oilier. Some people may even develop allergies to various hair-care products.
• Eat a healthy diet. For overall good health, include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and small amounts of lean protein in your diet.
• Get a little sun. Sunlight may be good for dandruff. But because exposure to ultraviolet light damages your skin and increases your risk of skin cancer, don’t sunbathe. Instead, just spend a little time outdoors. And be sure to wear sunscreen on your face and body.

There are plenty of home remedies for dandruff: rubbing a cut onion on your head, massaging your scalp with three-day-old cheese, rinsing with vinegar. Some may actually help, but they leave a lot to be desired, aesthetically speaking. That’s why most complementary approaches focus on treating the problem from the inside out — with diet and nutritional supplements. Here are some of the most common suggestions:

• Limit sugar and yeast. Sweets and yeast-containing foods such as bread, beer and wine may encourage the growth of the fungus that causes dandruff.

• Emphasize B vitamins. These are essential for healthy skin and hair. Good food sources include whole grains, egg yolks, soybeans, bananas, avocados, nuts and seeds, and dark leafy greens, such as spinach. B-vitamin supplements are available in natural foods stores and many drugstores.

• Include zinc in your diet. The mineral zinc, found in some dandruff shampoos, helps regulate the activity of your oil glands, keeps your immune system healthy and promotes healing. It’s best to get zinc from food sources such as egg yolks, fish — especially sardines — meat, soybeans, sunflower seeds and whole grains.

• Get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. Sometimes known as essential fatty acids, these oils are necessary for good health. Among other things, they aid in the transmission of nerve impulses, help produce new cells and lower cholesterol levels. They also help keep your skin and hair healthy. Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fresh, deep-water fish — especially salmon, swordfish, mackerel and herring — and in canola, soybean, fish and flaxseed oils. In addition, many natural foods stores and drugstores carry a variety of fish and vegetable oil supplements.

• Try a tea tree oil shampoo. Tea tree oil, which is extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), has been used for centuries as an antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal agent. It’s now included in a number of shampoos found in natural foods stores. The oil can cause allergic reactions in some people, so be sure to stop using it if you have any problems.