Dandruff Shampoos

[Kae612]

I've recently decided to try to take my dandruff more seriously because it's kinda gross and I'm tired of having an itchy scalp so much. I've been using Selsun Blue's Herbal shampoo, but it isn't perfect and I still have flakes only a bit less of them. So, what dandruff shampoos have you used and found helpful?

[lapushka]

I use Head & Shoulders if I have tiny flakes, but as soon as I get itching, and I don't mean an occasional itch, I mean itch, maybe redness, lots of scaling, I bust out my Nizoral 2%, which I think in that percentage is prescription in the US. I don't know about Canada, but in Belgium we only have the 2% and it is OTC at the pharmacy, for about 12 euro for 100ml.

I can usually, in between "bouts" keep my SD (seborrheic dermatitis) at bay by using a strong, harsh, sulfate shampoo. But for that the "issue" has to be under control first.

I don't mess with this, at all. I'm very careful.

I hadn't had to use Nizoral for years, until this year, when I had scaling at my temples and sides. I left it on 10 min. and washed with H&S right afterwards (the Nizoral for some reason no longer suds that great), and it was all clear. Not that I recommend double cleansing for anyone, but it solved my issue.

[Aredhel]

I use the H&S with eucalyptus, it really does help with both the flaking and itchiness. I let it sit for a minute on my head in the shower before washing it out.

[lapushka]

I've seen on a shampoo (sulfate) recently that you needed to let it sit a minute before rinsing - I thought hey, that's new. Can't remember what shampoo it was, now though. I never before did that, but then it takes about 12 -15 minutes to get it lathered up, distributed through my hair and sudsed up and finally rinsed; I reckon that's enough. :)

[Obsidian]

I've recently decided to try to take my dandruff more seriously because it's kinda gross and I'm tired of having an itchy scalp so much. I've been using Selsun Blue's Herbal shampoo, but it isn't perfect and I still have flakes only a bit less of them. So, what dandruff shampoos have you used and found helpful?


I would recommend using a shampoo with 2% or 2.5% selenium sulfide which you can get otc in canada. If the selsun blue you are using now is the one I'm thinking of, it contains salicylic acid which has never helped me. Check out the extra strength selsun blue, it should help more.

[Kae612]

I use Head & Shoulders if I have tiny flakes, but as soon as I get itching, and I don't mean an occasional itch, I mean itch, maybe redness, lots of scaling, I bust out my Nizoral 2%, which I think in that percentage is prescription in the US. I don't know about Canada, but in Belgium we only have the 2% and it is OTC at the pharmacy, for about 12 euro for 100ml.

I can usually, in between "bouts" keep my SD (seborrheic dermatitis) at bay by using a strong, harsh, sulfate shampoo. But for that the "issue" has to be under control first.

I don't mess with this, at all. I'm very careful.

I hadn't had to use Nizoral for years, until this year, when I had scaling at my temples and sides. I left it on 10 min. and washed with H&S right afterwards (the Nizoral for some reason no longer suds that great), and it was all clear. Not that I recommend double cleansing for anyone, but it solved my issue.

I used Nizoral when I was a kid. It made my scalp feel like it was burning whenever I used it and did nothing for my flakes. I haven't tried it again because it's the one I kept using with no results. I haven't tried H&S either though, I'll keep it in mind, thank you!

[Kae612]

I would recommend using a shampoo with 2% or 2.5% selenium sulfide which you can get otc in canada. If the selsun blue you are using now is the one I'm thinking of, it contains salicylic acid which has never helped me. Check out the extra strength selsun blue, it should help more.

Thanks! I picked up the life brand 2.5% and I'll give it a shot :)

[Obsidian]

Hopefully it helps. Don't forget to let it sit for awhile after you lather, especially the first few times you use it.

[psyc2321]

I’ve had great results from Matrix Biolage anti dandruff shampoo- I think it’s called ScalpSync? Zinc pyrithione active ingredient, but it sorted out my dandruff in two washes and didn’t strip my length the way Neutrogena T-Gel did the last time.

[Aredhel]

I’ve had great results from Matrix Biolage anti dandruff shampoo- I think it’s called ScalpSync? Zinc pyrithione active ingredient, but it sorted out my dandruff in two washes and didn’t strip my length the way Neutrogena T-Gel did the last time.

I wasn't even aware that they made an anti-dandruff shampoo. Matrix Biolage is one of my favourite brands too. I'll have to try this one some time. :)

[lapushka]

In this country (Belgium), Pantene do an anti-dandruff shampoo too. And the Aldi & Lidl local brands have their version of H&S and also H&S the original version. I last bought 3 bottles for 6.89 euro, bargain.

[BookishRay]

T-Gel Extra strength as been working reasonably well for me. I have to shampoo my scalp with regular shampoo after using the T-Gel or I will get painful pimple like bumps in my hair line.

[psyc2321]

I wasn't even aware that they made an anti-dandruff shampoo. Matrix Biolage is one of my favourite brands too. I'll have to try this one some time. :)

I wasn’t either, but with T-Gel only making things worse, I trooped into Price Attack and made sad faces until the sales assistant went, “what about this? It’s fairly gentle...”

My hair survived, and my scalp is fine now, so I’m pretty happy with it!

[Rebeccalaurenxx]

I wasn't even aware that they made an anti-dandruff shampoo. Matrix Biolage is one of my favourite brands too. I'll have to try this one some time. :)

They do but from what I remember it contains silicones.
My mom uses it and I borrowed it from time to time, it was about the same as other dandruff shampoos for me.

Selsun blue worked short term for me, head and shoulders has been the only one to be consistent.
I have a thing of nizoral 1% in my shower i might try today, i need a wash and my scalp is itchy. Well see.
T-gel never worked for me. And i forget what other ones i have tried.

The prescription shampoo my doctor gave me a year ago worked really well but it was like 60-80$ a bottle. :(

[lapushka]

The prescription shampoo my doctor gave me a year ago worked really well but it was like 60-80$ a bottle. :(

Wow that's a lot. Do you know what it was based on? What ingredient?

[psyc2321]

They do but from what I remember it contains silicones.

You’re right, it’s got dimethicone about seventh on the list of inactive ingredients.

[czech it out]

I would recommend using a shampoo with 2% or 2.5% selenium sulfide which you can get otc in canada. If the selsun blue you are using now is the one I'm thinking of, it contains salicylic acid which has never helped me. Check out the extra strength selsun blue, it should help more.

I also have had great luck with selenium sulfide. Just be prepared for a very bad smell, especially if you exercise often like me! I really wish it wasn't so strong!

[girlwithsixarms]

I've been having good luck with Scalp 18 (it's a coal tar shampoo that also contains a bunch of essential oils), my regular old conditioner, and massaging a few spritzes of eucalyptus essential oil diluted in water into my scalp after showering (with direct-ish scalp access achieved through sitting on a low backed chair and hanging my head backwards).

I also found the shampoo search engine at decodingdandruff.com to be super helpful since it allowed me to look at shampoos based on what ingredients I wanted to avoid and their reviews were very comprehensive.

[Dark40]

I also use Head & Shoulders Shampoo and Conditoner for flakes too. I don't ever have serious dandruff, flaky or scalp issues. That's because I always make sure I cleanse the hair and scalp really well, and I keep it moisturized with a light oil.

[Kae612]

I also have had great luck with selenium sulfide. Just be prepared for a very bad smell, especially if you exercise often like me! I really wish it wasn't so strong!

I know this is ages and ages later, but yes! This absolutely made a difference. My dandruff isn't absolutely gone - and I definitely notice if I don't let it sit in long enough/massage it in well enough/use enough (which is a lot). But this is definitely the most effective thing I've tried. The smell is strong but it doesn't bother me me too much, and once I use a nice smelling conditioner after it isn't noticeable.

I got the Life Brand one from Shoppers and I use it about 1-2x/week. It's interesting, my hair seems to get more oily now than it used to, but for fewer flakes it's a great trade!

[lapushka]

I know this is ages and ages later, but yes! This absolutely made a difference. My dandruff isn't absolutely gone - and I definitely notice if I don't let it sit in long enough/massage it in well enough/use enough (which is a lot). But this is definitely the most effective thing I've tried. The smell is strong but it doesn't bother me me too much, and once I use a nice smelling conditioner after it isn't noticeable.

I got the Life Brand one from Shoppers and I use it about 1-2x/week. It's interesting, my hair seems to get more oily now than it used to, but for fewer flakes it's a great trade!

I'm glad to hear it. Coming from someone who knows what it's like to have a flaky itchy scalp sometimes, you'd do almost anything to get rid of it, wouldn't you? :)

[Rebeccalaurenxx]

Wow that's a lot. Do you know what it was based on? What ingredient?

It may have been a little less as insurance covered some of it but I know it was around 40$. I bought a bunch of other skin prescriptions and medication at the same same time, so overall I spent 90$ Or so. I’m really upset because my insurance doesn’t cover some of my medication anymore and since I moved to another state things changed for me. I’m working on getting health insurance through work so hopefully I’ll be able to get some medications again, I’m just glad my birth control is still covered.
I don’t remember what the ingredients were but I know it was some strong stuff, I used it maybe once or twice a week, for a month and then went down to once every 2-3 weeks. The bottle lasted me like 6-8 months and kept it 100% under control, cleared it up to the point where I didn’t need it anymore and could use whatever I wanted in my hair.
Now it’s clear, because of the medicated shampoo so when I get a flare it’s easy to control now, usually goes away within a wash.

[lapushka]

It may have been a little less as insurance covered some of it but I know it was around 40$. I bought a bunch of other skin prescriptions and medication at the same same time, so overall I spent 90$ Or so. I’m really upset because my insurance doesn’t cover some of my medication anymore and since I moved to another state things changed for me. I’m working on getting health insurance through work so hopefully I’ll be able to get some medications again, I’m just glad my birth control is still covered.
I don’t remember what the ingredients were but I know it was some strong stuff, I used it maybe once or twice a week, for a month and then went down to once every 2-3 weeks. The bottle lasted me like 6-8 months and kept it 100% under control, cleared it up to the point where I didn’t need it anymore and could use whatever I wanted in my hair.
Now it’s clear, because of the medicated shampoo so when I get a flare it’s easy to control now, usually goes away within a wash.

It's a bummer that you can't recall. :( I do hope you can get your meds sorted (that's awful) along with health insurance!

Could you go back to the same doctor and ask (they should have it on record, no)? Hmm, but you moved States, so that's a bit hard; still shouldn't you technically be able to ask for your medical records? :)

[Ophidian]

Just adding to the thread:

I used Nizoral 1% to clear up a stubborn patch of dandruff around my hairline and on the crown of my head towards the front. Twice a week I would wet my scalp, rub it on full strength, and let it sit for 10 minutes or so before rinsing. Once it cleared up after a month or so I switched to using Jason Dandruff Relief Shampoo (salicylic acid + sulfur). I use it just as a scalp treatment on the problem area before washing so my hair doesn't smell like weird eggs :tbear: :scared:. It's been great as a maintenance treatment and I notice some recurrence of the flakes if I don't use it for a while. I still have the Nizoral and would use it again if needed.

[Barefootgirl431]

I have been using Nature's Gate Tea Tree Shampoo and it has helped my dandruff and it's also sulfate free so it's a lot gentler on my hair.