| The excessive flaking of dead skin that forms on the | | | | stress. |
| scalp is referred to as dandruff. Though it is normal for | | | | To treat dandruff, one needs to regularly wash one's |
| dead cells to die and flake off, there is unusually rapid | | | | hair with an anti-dandruff shampoo. An anti-dandruff |
| cell turnover in some people. The dead skin cells are | | | | shampoo removes the dead skin before it can build up. |
| replaced every two weeks in some people in a normal | | | | Most of the anti- dandruff ingredients are either acids, |
| cycle once a month. When this happens, large clumps | | | | which break down the oils on the scalp, or fungicides, |
| of small, unsightly white, grayish patches known as | | | | which kill the Malassezia fungus, ensuring better hair |
| dandruff loosen and fall off. | | | | hygiene and health. |
| Though there are many causes for dandruff, the most | | | | There are various shampoo brands and the |
| common is probably the fungus Malassezia furfur. | | | | treatments specifically available for treating dandruff. |
| Commonly found in areas such as the scalp, face and | | | | The definitive standard of treatment is a tar shampoo |
| upper part of the body, this fungus disturbs the natural | | | | that contains salicylic acid. Shampoos like Head and |
| renewal of cells, thereby causing dandruff and itching. | | | | Shoulders, which contain Zinc Pyrithione; Selsun Blue, |
| Other factors include overactive sebaceous glands, | | | | which contains Selenium Sulfide; Neutrogena and |
| food allergies, excessive perspiration, usage of alkaline | | | | T-Gel, which contain coal tar; and, shampoos that |
| soaps, yeast infections, seasonal changes, exposure to | | | | contain Ketoconazole, such as Nizoral, are also |
| UV light, dust, cold and dryness in the atmosphere, | | | | effective in controlling and treating dandruff. |
| harsh shampoos, dyes, poor nutrition, and, above all, | | | | |