Don't Let Dandruff Dictate Your Wardrobe!

Got dandruff? Afraid of wearing black? Well, here's a guide to help you get those flakes under control! I have created a list of active ingredients currently available. I suggest you start at the first active ingredient and try a shampoo with that ingredient for 2 consecutive weeks. If your dandruff is still a problem after these 2 weeks, move to the next suggested active ingredient and start over.

Before I begin listing shampoos, however, let's talk about a few things that will make every shampoo here work better. First, read the label. The active ingredients in all these shampoos are considered drugs by the FDA. Understand the warnings and side effects of each shampoo before you decide to use it. If you have any in-depth questions, ask a qualified medical professional. Second, let the shampoo set on your scalp for 2-5 minutes each time you shampoo. Because dandruff shampoos use topical drugs, it is imperative that the active ingredient is allowed to work before rinsing it off. You can use this time to massage the shampoo into your scalp if you like. Last, if you use conditioner, avoid applying it directly to your scalp, as this can aggravate dandruff and negate the effects of the active ingredient.

Now that the tips are out of the way, try a shampoo with 1% pyrithione zinc (or jump to ketoconazole if you don't wash your hair daily or want to keep using your current shampoo). Here are a few examples of current shampoos on the market that contain 1% pyrithione zinc:

Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (also available in a shampoo + conditioner formula)
L'Oreal Vive Pro for Men Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (also available in a shampoo + conditioner formula)
Pantene True Confidence Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 Shampoo Plus Conditioner
and of course, just about anything from Head & Shoulders

If the pyrithione zinc seems to have partially worked but you're not getting the results you want after 2 weeks, you can try 1.5% or 2% pyrithione zinc shampoos, such as:

1.5% -- KMS Head Remedy Dandruff Shampoo
2% -- Head & Shoulders Intensive Solutions