Previously, it was thought that dandruff was caused by dry skin, oily skin, shampooing too often or not often enough, a poor diet, stress, and the overuse of styling products. Although some of these factors can worsen or contribute to excess flaking, research has implicated the real offender, a fat-eating, yeast-like fungus called malassezia. This micro-organism lives on the scalps and skin of most healthy individuals without causing problems, but sometimes it grows out of control (owing to scalp conditions), feeding on the sebum (oils) secreted by your hair follicles and causing irritation that leads to increased cell turnover. Dandruff is a chronic condition that can’t be cured. However, it can be successfully managed through the use of specially formulated shampoos. Pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid, coal tar, selenium sulfide and sulfur are some of the more common ingredients used in treating the scalp. The addition of a medicated conditioner with an antifungal ingredient, such as pyrithione zinc, is clinically proven to improve the antidandruff effect.
