Coal Tar Shampoos as a Solution for Dandruff

Posted on | July 16, 2010 | 67 Comments

Those of you who have experienced the effects of dandruff know how difficult it can be to manage….and why does it act up at the worst possible times??? There are a variety over-the-counter shampoos and products that work well in the fight against dandruff. We will focus on products that use the ingredient coal tar. Coal tar helps your fight against dandruff by slowing down the process by which your scalp produces skin cells. Thus, reducing the amount of flakes you produce.

Before getting into the treatments of coal tar, let’s review (like you actually need to) the symptoms of dandruff.

• Dry scalp
• White flakes on your scalp
• Itchy scalp
• Red and irritated scalp

Product Review:

Denorex: has twice the amount of coal tar as any other shampoo. It’s regular strength product contains 7.5% of coal tar, while its extra strength product contains 10.4%. For this reason, Denorex shampoo is popular among dermatologists as an over-the-counter shampoo.

T-Gel: has created a formula containing 4% Neutar, which is Neutrogena’s exclusive formulation of 1% coal tar refined to remove impurities.

Based on the this research, it appears as if Denorex shampoo would be a good selection for those looking to combat dandruff with the ingredient coal tar. As with most dandruff shampoos, use two times per week or as suggested by your doctor.

How to Cure YOUR Dandruff

Posted on | July 11, 2010 | 312 Comments

If you’re reading this article, you most likely have dandruff or know someone who does.  You may have heard that there is no universal cure for dandruff. In fact there is actually no cure for dandruff, only solutions to manage your dandruff problem.  With that being said, there are multiple causes of dandruff and each cause requires a different solution.

Before we get started, it’s important to understand what dandruff is.  Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin from the scalp in the form of flakes or chunks.  Dandruff is a skin condition, not a hair condition.  For this reason, it may be necessary to seek the opinion of a dermatologist in identifying the cause of your dandruff.

The first step to getting rid of this unsightly condition is to identify the specific cause.  By properly identifying your condition, you can fight back with the proper methods and effectively cure your dandruff.

Known Causes

A dry scalp is the most common cause of dandruff and is also the easiest to cure. All you have to do is moisturize.  This will be discussed in more detail later.

People with oily scalps have also been known to become afflicted with dandruff.  Switching shampoo or simply washing your hair more often are possible remedies.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that effects the scalp, face and upper-body. Symptoms include scaly or flaky skin that is itchy and red. The most common treatments for this condition are ketoconazole creams and shampoos coupled with oral fish oil supplements for Omega-3 fatty acids.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that can cause silvery, flaky patches of skin on different areas of the body. It is commonly seen on the scalp, creases of the nose, eyebrows, elbows, knees and arms. There are many treatment options available including topical ointments, baths, light therapy, injections, and prescriptions.

If you believe you have either Psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, you should see your dermatologist, as he/she will be able to properly identify your condition.

Other factors known to contribute to dandruff include over/improper use of various hair products, poor diet, zinc/Omega 3 deficiency and stress to name a few.

Potential Cures

If you want to cure your dandruff, you must attack it with the proper weapon.  That is why there are specific products that target specific needs.  Many shampoos contain various anti-fungal ingredients for fungi or yeast based dandruff.  Some ingredients to look out for are zinc pyrithione, ketaconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar and salicylic acid.  By trying different products and using a process of elimination, you can find out what works best for you.

There are countless home remedies available that have been reported to cure dandruff, but not every remedy will work for every person as each case is different.

Introducing fish oil to your diet is one of the best things you can do.  Not only will you find a reduction of inflammation, but you are likely to notice other health benefits as well.

Oil soaks an hour before bathing have are great ways to moisturize the scalp.

Rubbing olive oil into the scalp before bedtime and sleeping with a shower cap is another tried and true method.  The next day, wash hair with a moisturizing shampoo and rinse with lemon juice. Apply a non-greasy conditioner and style as usual.  This works especially great with itchy and dry dandruff.

If your hair has a pungent odor or your dandruff seems greasy in nature, you likely have a fungi based dandruff problem, and there are a number of shampoos and home remedies that may help your situation.  Again, consult your physician if need be.

These are just some of the methods that can put an end to your dandruff.   Once you find out what’s causing it, you can learn how to cure it.

What’s The Cure For Dandruff?

Posted on | July 7, 2010 | 174 Comments

If you suffer from dandruff, chances are you suffer from a lack of solutions to dandruff. The cure for dandruff isn’t defined clearly because it varies from person to person. A majority of people deal with it with simple over the counter dandruff shampoos, some with new age techniques and some with medicated techniques. What you need to figure out is which one works best for you, without spending a fortune testing every possible option out there.

First off, don’t feel alone when it comes to dandruff. Over 50 Million Americans alone suffer from dandruff symptoms. That means one in every five Americans deal with dandruff problems, a majority of whom are looking for the same answers you are.

Where to start

First you need to figure out if you have dandruff or something more severe like seborrheic dermatitis, which is a more advanced form of dandruff. Seborrheic Dermatitis symptoms differ from dandruff problems. Dandruff problems range from itching, flaking and drying of scalp. Dandruff occurs only on your scalp whereas seborrheic dermatitis can go past the scalp and affected areas range from eyebrows, eyelids, ears and nose. The flakes of someone who suffers from seborrheic dermatitis can be much larger opposed to those who suffer from dandruff. Deciding which type you have will certainly help you in your future purchases.

What causes dandruff

Simple and depressing answer, no one really knows. There has yet to be a defined answer from doctors as to what is the main cause for dandruff. One trigger that may be the main issue is Malassezia that causes flaking. It is believed that the residue left behind by Malassezia hurts and irritates the scalp. So this would mean that this Malassezia is the main reason for dandruff, right? Nope. There are plenty of cases where Malassezia is not present which has left doctors without a definitive answer for years.

Calm and control dandruff

Keeping hydrated is probably the easiest way to help dandruff. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and you should see a difference. Don’t use hot water. Use lukewarm water to help cool and calm the scalp. You want to make sure your hair maintains the natural oils your body produces that will keep from drying your scalp.

Find out what works best and stick with it

Changing your methods and shampoos frequently can cause more irritation, so make sure that when you find a solution that you think is working to stick with it. Let time take its course and if the changes you want aren’t being made, then go ahead and look in a different direction.