Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: omid on 27/10/2009 18:19:19
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What causes dandruff in your hair and how come you get rid of this?
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The skin is our body's largest organ. It is constantly being renewed and the outer layer of dead cells usually fall of unnoticed. Our skin plays host to a fungus called Pityrosporum ovale, or Malassezia, as it is more commonly known today.
This fungus is found only on humans and is attributed to the cause of dandruff. Ordinarily, it causes no problems, but when it grows too fast, it can cause cells to flake off prematurely and this results in dandruff, itchiness and sometimes a rash.
The causes of this rapid growth of the yeast can be put down to poor rinsing off of shampoo, over use of heated tongs and hair dryers, central heating (causing low humidity), use of alcohol based hair products and diet has also been linked to this problem.
There are a number of medicated shampoos designed to combat dandruff such as 'Head & Shoulders', 'T-Gel Anti-dandruff' and 'Nizoral'.
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I think the active ingredient in said shampoos and other "hair-care" dandruff products, is zinc.
Chris
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I should point out that washing your hair twice, as recommended by most shampoo manufacturers, is often said, by tricologists, to only enhance the profits of the shampoo manufacturers. However, in the case of these medicated shampoos, its probably good practice to do so. On the second washing, massage the scalp well for a few mins and even use a fairly stiff hair brush to ensure good coverage. After washing, rinse well with clean water and, in my personal opinion, do not use a conditioner.
BTW, Tea Tree oil is said to be a good natural defense against dandruff.
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BTW, Tea Tree oil is said to be a good natural defense against dandruff.
Thanks Don_1 [:)] [:)] [:)]
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Don_1
omid found that oil in superdrug but it was for face
Is that what you were suggesting omid? [:-\]
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No Omid, You will find shampoo's with tea tree extract. I would have thought that Superdrug would have had them, but if not I'm sure you will find them in Boots.
Right, just had a quick look at their web sites
Superdrug stocks 'Naturals' brand tea tree shampoo.
Boots stocks 'Original Source' brand tea tree shampoo. Sainsburys also stock this & their own brand.
Bodyshop stock their own brand Ginger anti-dandruff shampoo
Holland & Barrett stock 'Dr. Organic' brand tea tree shampoo
There are also a number of on-line retailers.
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I think the active ingredient in said shampoos and other "hair-care" dandruff products, is zinc.
Chris
I think it's zinc pyrithione.
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Actually, it seems to me that washing hair twice (wash, rinse, wash again and rinse) has a different and noticeable effect on your hair from a single wash/rinse so I wonder whether the shampoo manufacturers say this only to enhance profits or whether there is a real point to it afterall. My impression is that the first wash seems to neutralise the natural greases but that the greases also neutralise the detergent action. The second wash seems to change the characteristics of the hair so certainly has an effect. It may even be that use of a small amount of shampoo on a first wash followed by a second wash could be more effective than one wash with a (probably necessary) large amount.
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No Omid, You will find shampoo's with tea tree extract. I would have thought that Superdrug would have had them, but if not I'm sure you will find them in Boots.
Right, just had a quick look at their web sites
Superdrug stocks 'Naturals' brand tea tree shampoo.
Boots stocks 'Original Source' brand tea tree shampoo. Sainsburys also stock this & their own brand.
Bodyshop stock their own brand Ginger anti-dandruff shampoo
Holland & Barrett stock 'Dr. Organic' brand tea tree shampoo
There are also a number of on-line retailers.
Thank you Don_1 [;D]
omid feels sometimes not sometimes but everytime you really are very helpful [:)] [:)] [:)]
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Sorry to hear about your dandruff problems. It is a much underestimated problem. Particularly if you wake up at night due to the warmth causing your hair to itch.
I had terrible dandruff from age 18, I tried all the usual shampoos, head and shoulders, vosene, selsun etc. but nothing worked. I then tried Nizoral, but had some awful side effects, which other people have also had, see http://www.retaining-hair-health.com/2009/12/nizoral-ketonazole-shampoo.html for more details (but these are anti androgenic side effects which only affect men) however I found the Schwartzkopf Bonacure anti dandruff lotion to be excellent. You apply it after shampoo but don't wash it off. It works incredibly well (for the record I have no connection with Schwartzkopf or anyone who sells it!)