Dandruff Treatment

Dandruff Treatment

Commercial dandruff shampoos

There area several different active ingredients in standard anti-dandruff shampoos. These may or may not work for your dandruff problems. Read the labels, follow directions and try products with different ingredients when searching for the right solution for you.

Zinc pyrithione
This active ingredient is an anti-fungal and antibacterial for targeting yeast and fungi. It can be effective, but be warned that when you stop your dandruff may return worse than before.

Zinc pyrithione
This active ingredient is an anti-fungal and antibacterial for targeting yeast and fungi. It can be effective, but be warned that when you stop your dandruff may return worse than before.

Ketoconazole
This anti-fungal drug is also used to eliminate yeasts and fungi that cause dandruff. Discontinuing the product will most likely cause your problem to return, however.

Selenium sulfide
Another anti-fungal agent used to treat yeast and fungi induced dandruff. It can be purchased over the counter or in a slightly stronger prescriptive form. Dandruff often returns when treatment is stopped.

Coal tar
Coal tar is a harsh solution to dandruff, but this by-product of coal does work for some. Mainly it is used for lice and psoriasis. However, keep in mind that coal tar is considered a carcinogen, meaning it could potentially cause cancer.

Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid based shampoos are helpful for scalps that break-out due to flaking skin. The acid promotes skin shed, assisting in keeping pores from clogging.