Generality
The dandruff shampoo is a product - cosmetic or pharmaceutical in nature - used to cleanse hair and scalp affected by dandruff.
To ensure maximum effectiveness, the choice of dandruff shampoo should be made based on the type of dandruff (oily or dry) manifested by the individual.
In addition to the anti-dandruff shampoos available at supermarkets and perfumeries, there are also specific medicated shampoos that can be purchased in pharmacies and pharmacies that can be used - after consulting a doctor - when the problem of dandruff takes on pathological characteristics.
What is that
What is Dandruff Shampoo?
The dandruff shampoo is a product used for cleansing hair and scalp with dandruff.
Like all shampoos, even the specific one for the treatment of dandruff consists of a cleansing base composed of a series of surfactants of different nature (anionic, amphoteric), which are combined with active ingredients useful to counteract the disorder of the scalp in question.
The washing base contained in a dandruff shampoo must respect certain characteristics; in detail, it must perform a good cleansing action but in a delicate way, so as not to attack the scalp already tested by the presence of dandruff. The use of shampoo with excessive detergent action, in fact, could cause further irritation of the scalp with a consequent increase in the production of dandruff.
Furthermore, within the formulation of an anti-dandruff shampoo, other ingredients can also be included, such as viscosizers (used to make the shampoo more viscous and to make the texture appear richer), preservatives, perfumes and possibly dyes.
Types of Dandruff
Characteristics and Types of Dandruff
Before describing features and active ingredients of dandruff shampoos, it is useful to know what dandruff is, how many types exist and what are their characteristics.
Dandruff is a very common disorder that affects the scalp, which undergoes an abundant desquamation .
This disorder affects mainly men, but can also occur in women. The causes of origin have not been completely defined, but the factors involved in the onset of dandruff are multiple. Among these, one of the main culprits seems to be a particular microorganism: Malassezia furfur (or Pityrosporum ovale ). It is a fungus - and, more precisely, a yeast - which, under normal conditions, colonizes the scalp of numerous individuals without causing any problems. However, if M. furfur starts to proliferate in an excessive and uncontrolled way, it can give rise to real infections that, in turn, can lead to the appearance of dandruff (for more information on this, we recommend reading the dedicated article : Dandruff).
Depending on the characteristics of the scales that come off the scalp, it is possible to distinguish two different types of dandruff:
- Oily dandruff : it is characterized by thick scales having a waxy or pasty consistency and a yellowish color (these latter characteristics are due to an excessive production of sebum). Given the consistency, these scales tend to stick to the scalp and hair.
- Dry dandruff : it is characterized by fine scales of small size and greyish-white color. Since they are light and small, the scales characterizing the dry dandruff tend to break off and fall, giving rise to the much-known and unsightly "snow effect".
Although Malassezia furfur is involved in the appearance of both the above types of dandruff, it is not the only cause. However, these aspects will not be covered in this article. For more information on this, see the dedicated articles: Forfora Grassa - Forfora Secca.
Active Ingredients
Active ingredients present in Dandruff Shampoos
The active ingredients against dandruff present in specific shampoos for this type of disorder should:
- Exercise a keratolytic action, useful to favor the removal of superficial scales.
- Reduce scalp cell turnover speed .
- Exercise an antifungal action (or antifungal, if you prefer) in order to hinder the proliferation of Malassezia furfur .
- Eventually, also exercise an antibacterial action, since, sometimes, the problem of dandruff could be favored or exacerbated by the presence and consequent proliferation of bacteria.
However, among the active ingredients mostly used in dandruff shampoos commonly found in perfumery or in supermarkets, we find:
- Zinc pyrithione : it is a substance with antifungal and antibacterial properties . It is useful both in the presence of dry dandruff and in the presence of oily dandruff.
- Selenium sulfide : this ingredient is used in anti-dandruff shampoos thanks to its ability to decrease the speed of scalp cell turnover ; moreover, it also has a mild antifungal activity . Given its properties, this ingredient can be useful to counteract both fat dandruff and dry dandruff.
- Salicylic acid : it is a substance endowed with keratolytic properties which are useful for promoting both the elimination of scales and excess sebum. For this reason, it is particularly useful in the presence of oily dandruff.
- Vegetal tar : it is a product of natural origin that can slow down the cellular turnover of the scalp. In the past, dandruff shampoos based on vegetable tar were very common, but nowadays, it is preferred to use less aggressive ingredients. In fact, however effective, vegetable tar is not well tolerated by everyone and its action could be excessively aggressive for many people, with consequent irritation of the scalp and worsening of the dandruff problem. Furthermore, vegetable tar tends to dry the hair a lot.
Among the active ingredients that can be present in the anti-dandruff shampoo formulation, we also remember the sebum-regulating substances, very useful in the presence of oily dandruff since they are able to rebalance and normalize the excessive production of sebum that contributes to the formation of this type of dandruff .
The addition of active ingredients with a soothing action, on the other hand, is useful to give relief to a scalp already strongly irritated by the causes that cause dandruff.
Natural ingredients
Vegetable Extracts and Essential Oils Useful against Dandruff
In an age in which the use of natural is more and more widespread and sought after, we cannot miss the dandruff shampoos containing medicinal plant extracts or / or containing essential oils.
Among the natural substances most used in this area, we find:
- Nettle extracts: dermopurifying and sebum- regulating properties have always been attributed to the extracts obtained from nettle leaves, for this reason, they are part of the composition of various dandruff shampoos, useful above all in the presence of oily dandruff.
- Burdock extracts: burdock extracts are attributed with eudermic and sebum- regulating properties, so much so that they are used in folk medicine for the treatment of seborrhea in the scalp which is often associated with the problem of oily dandruff.
- Lemon essential oil : it is an essential oil with astringent, purifying and antibacterial properties . It can be particularly useful in those dandruff shampoos suitable for cleansing a greasy scalp.
- Melaleuca essential oil (Tea Tree Oil): this essential oil is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, which are also associated with anti-inflammatory properties . Its use in hair products such as dandruff shampoos, therefore, can be useful both in the presence of oily dandruff and in the presence of dry dandruff.
- Lavender essential oil: lavender essential oil appears to be an excellent natural remedy for problems affecting both the skin and the scalp. In fact, it is attributed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (it has been shown to possess fungicidal properties in tests conducted in vitro). For this reason, adding lavender essential oil to dandruff shampoos could be useful to counteract irritation and restore normal scalp conditions.
Did you know that ...
To benefit from the potential beneficial effects of the aforementioned essential oils, it is possible to use a few drops mixing them with a neutral shampoo (that is, a shampoo without active substances or ingredients). The dilution of essential oils before use is always advisable, since - given the high concentration - pure use can cause severe irritation.
Furthermore, since essential oils are endowed with a certain allergenic power, before using them, it is always good to carry out a preliminary test on a small area of skin.
Medicated Shampoo
Characteristics and Active Principles of Medicato Anti-dandruff Shampoos
When dandruff manifests itself in severe form and normal anti-dandruff shampoos are not able to solve the problem, it is good to contact your dermatologist in order to identify what are the underlying causes of the problem. In such situations, the specialist in question may decide to prescribe special medicated dandruff shampoos based on active ingredients with antifungal activity, such as:
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral®): is an azole-type antifungal, the shampoo based on this active ingredient is indicated in adults and adolescents with dandruff or other scalp disorders (such as seborrheic dermatitis) caused by infections sustained by Malassezia spp .
- The ciclopirox (Sebiprox®): also this active principle is endowed with antifungal properties useful for contrasting the infections sustained by Malassezia spp. However, to be honest, the cyclopirox-based medicated shampoos are not expressly indicated for the treatment of dandruff, but for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, a particular pathology almost always associated with the presence of oily dandruff.
Although most of the anti-dandruff shampoos based on the aforementioned active ingredients belong to the group of over-the-counter drugs that can be freely purchased without a prescription - since these are drugs in all respects - before using them, it is always good to ask for your own opinion. doctor or your dermatologist.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Because medicated dandruff shampoos are massaged onto the scalp for a few minutes, the active ingredient is hardly absorbed systemically. Therefore, generally, their use is considered safe even during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Despite this, before using any type of drug - even over the counter - pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should always seek the doctor's preventive advice.
Side effects and contraindications
Generally, the dandruff shampoos based on ketoconazole or ciclopirox are well tolerated. However, in some cases, side effects may occur, such as: dry skin, alterations in the structure of the hair, itching, skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Contraindications mainly concern the use of the product by persons with known hypersensitivity to the active substance contained.
Choice of Shampoo
How to choose the right anti-dandruff shampoo
In the presence of dandruff, the choice of shampoo to be used is very important to help resolve the problem. It is also true that there are anti-dandruff shampoos which can be used both to combat oily dandruff and to eliminate dry dandruff. However, the use of specific products may prove to be more effective.
In any case, regardless of the presence of dry or oily dandruff, a quality anti-dandruff shampoo must possess a good cleansing power, must remove the scales formed and, at the same time, must be gentle on the scalp .
To pinpoint the presence of oily or dry dandruff and to determine with certainty what the triggers are, it is always good to consult your dermatologist, a health figure who - in addition to identifying what type of dandruff the patient is experiencing - will be able to provide useful information on which anti-dandruff products and shampoos are best used (cosmetics, dermocosmetic or medicated ones).
