To ensure maximum effectiveness, the choice of anti-dandruff shampoo should be made according to 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 parapharmacies that can be used - after consulting a doctor - when the problem of dandruff takes on pathological characteristics.
of different nature (anionic, amphoteric), which are associated with active ingredients useful to counteract the disorder of the scalp in question.The cleansing base contained in an anti-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 put to the test by the presence of dandruff. The use of shampoo with an excessive cleansing action, in fact, could cause further irritation of the scalp with a consequent increase in the production of dandruff.
Furthermore, other ingredients can also be included in the formulation of an anti-dandruff shampoo, such as viscosifiers (they serve to make the shampoo more viscous and to make the consistency appear richer), preservatives, perfumes and possibly dyes.
: the Malassezia furfur (or Pityrosporum ovale). It is a fungus - and, more precisely, a yeast - which, under normal conditions, colonizes the scalp of many individuals without causing any problems. However, if M. furfur begins to proliferate in an excessive and uncontrolled way, it can give rise to real infections which, in turn, can lead to the appearance of dandruff (for more information, we recommend reading the dedicated article: Dandruff).According to the characteristics of the scales that detach from the scalp, it is possible to distinguish two different types of dandruff:
- Oily dandruff: it is characterized by thick scales with 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, small, grayish-white scales. Since they are light and small, the scales that characterize dry dandruff tend to detach and fall off, giving rise to the well-known and unsightly "snow effect".
Although the Malassezia furfur is involved in the appearance of both the aforementioned types of dandruff, it is not the only trigger. However, these aspects will not be covered in this article. For more information on this, please refer to the reading of the dedicated articles: Oily Dandruff - Dry Dandruff.
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In any case, among the active ingredients most used in anti-dandruff shampoos commonly found in perfumery or 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 shampoo thanks to its ability to decrease the speed of cell turnover in the scalp; moreover, it is also endowed with a mild antifungal activity. Given its properties, this ingredient can be useful. to counteract both oily and dry dandruff.
- Salicylic acid: is a substance 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.
- Vegetable tar: it is a product of natural origin able to slow down the cell turnover of the scalp. In the past, vegetable tar-based anti-dandruff shampoos were very popular, but nowadays, less aggressive ingredients are preferred. In fact, although effective, vegetable tar is not well tolerated by everyone and its action could prove to be excessively aggressive for many people, resulting in irritation of the scalp and worsening of the dandruff problem. In addition, vegetable tar tends to dry out the hair a lot.
Among the active ingredients that may be present in the formulation of anti-dandruff shampoo, we also remember the sebum-regulating substances, very useful in the presence of oily dandruff as they are able to rebalance and normalize the excessive production of sebum which contributes to the formation of this type of dandruff. .
The addition of active ingredients with a soothing action, on the other hand, is useful for giving relief to a scalp that is already strongly irritated by the causes of dandruff.
: extracts obtained from nettle leaves have always been attributed dermo-purifying and sebum-regulating properties, for this reason, they are part of the composition of various anti-dandruff shampoos, especially useful in the presence of oily dandruff.
