How to use Anti-Dandruff Shampoo? How does it work?

Now that the winter season is arriving, dreaded dandruff will put your hair and scalp under a lot of stress. Dandruff is caused due to the death of skin cells on the scalp. Surveys show that about 50% of people have this problem. The best way to deal with it is to use an anti-dandruff shampoo. It will help you eliminate dandruff, combat flakes and irritation, and get rid of the problem altogether. 

But how does an anti-dandruff shampoo work? Anti dandruff shampoo contain ingredients like Ketoconazole, Selenium sulfide, Zinc pyrithione, Coal tar, and Salicylic acid that kill the fungus Malassezia. There are a lot of anti-dandruff shampoos on the market, but which one is the best? This blog will give you an idea of how to use scalp shampoo and what ingredients you need to look out for.

How does Anti-dandruff Shampoo work

Anti-dandruff shampoos work by killing the fungus that causes dandruff. They usually contain ingredients like ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione, which are all antifungal agents. These ingredients work to kill the fungus and prevent it from coming back.

Active Ingredients	How it works
Ketoconazole	This works by slowing the growth of the Malassezia fungus, which is known to cause dandruff. While shampoos containing this ingredient are available commercially, they are too powerful to be sold over the counter and thus, require a doctor's prescription - typically for people with very severe fungal infections.
selenium sulfide	This ingredient specifically targets Malassezia by slowing down your sebum production and drying out your scalp.
Zinc pyrithione	Zinc pyrithione works by inhibiting the growth of the fungus, and also by keeping the scalp clean and free of oils.
Salicylic Acid	Salicylic acid is a keratolytic (peeling) agent. This means it helps to soften and remove the dead skin cells from the scalp. It is thought to work by helping to dissolve the ‘glue’ that holds the dead skin cells together. This action can help to loosen and shed the cells from the surface of the scalp.
Coal Tar	Coal tar works by reducing the amount of skin cell turnover, which in turn decreases the number of flakes that are shed from the surface of your skin. By reducing the number of flakes, coal tar may also help to decrease the colonization of your skin by fungi.

How to use Anti-dandruff Shampoo

The most effective way to apply anti-dandruff shampoo to your scalp is to massage💆‍♀️ it with your fingers thoroughly; so it gets into contact with your entire scalp. 

Anti-dandruff shampoo usually needs to be left on for a few minutes (usually 2-3 minutes) before its active ingredient is released and comes into contact with your skin. Follow the manufacturer's time recommendations.

Following the application, thoroughly rinse your hair. After washing with anti-dandruff shampoo, you can use a conditioner. Initially, only use anti-dandruff shampoo until the problem is under control. Afterward, you can alternate this with your regular shampoo. After rinsing your hair, lightly rub your hair with the towel all over and let it air dry. let your hair dry naturally. 

Mistakes to avoid while applying Anti-dandruff shampoo on scalp

Using too much shampoo

While it is important to use a generous amount of shampoo to get rid of dandruff, using too much can actually make the problem worse. As it can cause the scalp to become dry and irritated. Instead, use a small amount of shampoo and focus on massaging it into the scalp rather than the hair.

Using Hot Water

Hot water can strip the natural oils from your scalp, which can actually make dandruff worse. Instead, go for cold water. Cold water is known to close the follicles of the hair and skin, making it an effective way to keep dirt and any harmful substances out. This can help prevent dandruff and other negative effects.

Applying shampoo before getting your Hair Wet

Always wet your hair before applying dandruff shampoo. Shampoos are viscous liquids and will stick to your hair if water is not applied first. This will ensure that the shampoo is evenly distributed on your scalp and prevent any irritation.

How Innovist’s Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is Designed

At Innovist, we know how important it is for you to have a healthy head of hair - free of dandruff! That’s why we have worked hard to formulate the perfect shampoo, made with ingredients that work together to cleanse your scalp and hair, control excess sebum production, and leave your hair healthy, fragrant and flake-free. It’s not an easy task to create a 100% toxins-free anti-dandruff shampoo. We call it our Bare Flake technology, and it’s the key to our 100% dandruff-free guarantee. So try our shampoo and see the difference for yourself.

We are an innovation powerhouse that creates products that are clinically proven to be effective. We put all of our products through extensive testing and clinical trials to make sure that they meet the highest standards of safety.

Our dandruff-fighting ingredients

Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is a powerful dandruff-fighting ingredient that also happens to be gentle on the skin. When used in combination with Piroctone Olamine, it helps to target the fungus that causes dandruff while also acting as a gentle exfoliant. This helps to shed dead skin cells, which can contribute to dandruff.

Biotin: Biotin is an essential nutrient that helps to promote healthy hair growth by strengthening and thickening the strands of hair while also preventing hair loss.

You may think that dandruff is just a cosmetic issue, but it can be a symptom of a bigger problem. The scalp is one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and it can reveal a lot about what’s going on inside. Dandruff is generally the result of a dry scalp that is easily irritated. The skin cells on the scalp are constantly regenerating, but when it’s dry, they are more likely to die before they can be replaced.

We realize that finding the right way to treat your dandruff is often time consuming and can be frustrating. We hope this information has helped you to find the right solution for your needs. 

FAQS on How Does Anti Dandruff Shampoo Work

Should I use normal shampoo after dandruff shampoo?

It is not necessary to use a normal shampoo after using a dandruff shampoo, but it can help to prevent further build-up of dandruff. Dandruff shampoo works by removing the excess oil and dead skin cells that can contribute to dandruff. Normal shampoo can help to rinse away any remaining dandruff shampoo and also help to keep the scalp clean and healthy. This will also help prevent the dryness of hair.

Can I use Innovist anti-dandruff shampoo on my colored or treated hair?

All Bare Anatomy EXPERT products have been designed to take all hair types into consideration. In fact, our products can help restore strength, smoothness and shine to damaged hair that has been subject to various treatments or environmental aggressors.

Does anti dandruff shampoo work for fungal acne?

Dandruff shampoos are often spiked with ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide, which makes them effective anti-fungal treatments. Selenium is a particularly popular ingredient in dandruff shampoos as it also helps to treat fungal acne.

Does anti dandruff shampoo work for dry scalp?

Dandruff is caused by a dry scalp, and it can be really annoying because it falls on your shoulders and clothes. Anti-dandruff shampoo helps by treating the dryness and flakes, and it also prevents new flakes from forming. The shampoo works as a cleansing agent to get rid of the dry flakes, and it also re-moisturizes the scalp so that dandruff won't come back as easily.

How long do you leave dandruff shampoo in your hair?

Leave dandruff shampoo in your hair for at least 3-5 minutes before rinsing it out. This will give the shampoo enough time to work its magic and help to get rid of any pesky dandruff flakes.

Does hot water cause dandruff?

Hot water can exacerbate dandruff or make it worse. Hot water strips the scalp of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness and flaking. If you have dandruff or are prone to it, you may want to try washing your hair with cooler water to see if it makes a difference.

Sources:

https://uihc.org/educational-resources/anti-dandruff-shampoos
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353854
https://illuminatelabs.org/en-in/blogs/health/does-anti-dandruff-shampoo-actually-work
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/scalp/treat-dandruff