Does your scalp feel itchy all the time? And, when you finally give in to the urge to scratch your scalp, do yellowish, oily flakes fall on your shoulders? If the answer to these queries is “yes”, you are currently dealing with dandruff. While dandruff spells disaster for your social life, it’s not a serious haircare issue. But, what’s the primary reason for dandruff? Let’s find out.

 Causes of dandruff

 You can trace the cause of dandruff to a microbe called Malassezia globosa, which lives on everyone’s scalp. This microbe feeds on the natural oil (sebum) your scalp secretes, and creates a by-product called oleic acid. While this is a completely natural process, more than half the population is allergic to this by-product. As a reaction towards the allergen, your body signals the scalp to start shedding skin cells to get rid of the allergen. And, these flakes are what you call dandruff.

So, what’s the best dandruff remedy? An anti-dandruff shampoos!

Now that you know that a potent anti-dandruff shampoo is the answer to your dandruff woes, let’s get to the part where you need help to pick the right anti-dandruff shampoo.

Tips to choose the right anti-dandruff shampoo

• Look for dandruff-fighting ingredients
  What makes an anti-dandruff shampoo so effective against dandruff are the ingredients used to formulate it. When you are out looking for a dandruff remedy, ensure that you read the labels. Look for an anti-dandruff shampoo that lists zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, coal tar, selenium sulphide, or salicylic acid as one of its active ingredients. To narrow down your search, you can explore the Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo range that’s formulated with zinc pyrithione. Also known as ZPT, this ingredient is vital in healing the scalp, reducing yeast growth and excess oil production, and limit the overproduction of skin cells that cause dandruff flakes.

•  Does it suit your hair type?
  Even if it’s an anti-dandruff shampoo, you need to ensure that it suits your hair type. For instance, if your hair is frizzy and prone to flyaways, a ZPT-containing hair product will be more suitable for your hair type. In fact, ZPT-containing shampoos have proven to tame frizz and keep flyaway at bay compared to shampoos formulated with ketoconazole.

•  Does it affect your hair color?

Certain shampoos do not work for your hair color. If you have light-colored hair, there are chances that coal tar shampoos can darken or stain the appearance of your hair color. As effective as coal tar shampoos, it’s not highly recommended for light colored hair.

• Look for gentle cleansing

While the main purpose of anti-dandruff shampoo is to clean your scalp and get rid of the annoying flakes, it has to be gentle on your scalp and hair. You might want squeaky clean hair, but there are chances that it can strip your scalp and hair of its essential oils and leave it dry and more prone to dandruff. In other words, you need a strong shampoo that’s non-drying and does not damage your hair or scalp.

Choosing the right anti-dandruff shampoo can be a difficult task as there are too many options available. You can use these tips and find the perfect anti-dandruff shampoo that would not only get rid of your dandruff but also give you healthy, clean hair.