Dealing With Dandruff

Your scalp's itchy and you're afraid to wear anything black. But, there's no reason to live in fear of another dandruff attack. With so many great products on the market, this is one cosmetic blight that's easily overcome.

Dandruff is a common affliction and one that will affect most of us at some point in our lives. Hairdresser, Beverly Cobella, says, 'True dandruff is caused by the overproduction of a naturally occurring fungus known as Pityrosporum Ovale, which can be triggered by a hormonal imbalance, an excessively oily scalp or a dietary deficiency'. Cobella adds that while we all shed dead skin cells, dandruff sufferers have a higher cell turnover than most. Because there's a tendency for these cells to cluster together, the flakes are very visible. In some cases, however, what appears to be dandruff is simply the natural flaking that results from a dry scalp.

Getting the treatment
Most cases of dandruff are successfully treated with an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo, available at your local chemist. Active ingredients worth looking for in some popular products include: Zinc Pyrithione, Climbazole, Octopirox and Ketoconazole. In severe cases, your doctor will prescribe a stronger solution.

Some products are designed for use every time you wash your hair, while others only require occasional use. It is important to that you read the label on your shampoo and follow the instructions carefully. Philip Kingsley, a trichologist - an expert on the hair and scalp - believes, 'You should alternate between using an anti-dandruff shampoo and your usual shampoo.' Although opinion is divided on this advice, the best course of action is to experiment with both kinds of shampoos and see what kind of regime works best for you. If you find that switching back to your regular shampoo causes your dandruff to return, then stick with an anti-dandruff shampoo until you've been dandruff-free for a few months.