Dandruff shampoo on non-dandruffed hair ?

[rafikz]

I've read on the internet some people use dandruff shampoo even though they don't have dandruff


I'm bringing this up because I sniffed H&S Citrus shampoo, and love the scent.

I have fine/oily hair, so dryness is not an issue for me


So, is it ok to use it even though I don't have dandruff?

[waterbear]

dandruff shampoos are medicated with various chemicals, often Selenium Sulfide, coal tar, Ketoconazole (prescription), Zinc salts, Salicylic Acid, and sulfur. I would not want to apply these daily to my hair and scalp unless I had a need to and only for as long as I had the need!

[rafikz]

dandruff shampoos are medicated with various chemicals, often Selenium Sulfide, coal tar, Ketoconazole (prescription), Zinc salts, Salicylic Acid, and sulfur. I would not want to apply these daily to my hair and scalp unless I had a need to and only for as long as I had the need!

Thanks;

Those chemicals seem to be designed for dandruffy hair, so it makes sense they would work on " nothing " if I don't have dandruff, and could be harsh for daily cleansing

I know Suave makes a nice regular Lime scented shampoo, but I haven't seen it here in Canada; I'll keep looking

[mretzloff]

dandruff shampoos are medicated with various chemicals, often Selenium Sulfide, coal tar, Ketoconazole (prescription), Zinc salts, Salicylic Acid, and sulfur. I would not want to apply these daily to my hair and scalp unless I had a need to and only for as long as I had the need!

Considering that most dandruff shampoos only contain one percent of the active ingredient, I doubt it makes much of a difference. I use Selsum Blue (1% selenium sulfide) every day and have no issues. My doctor even said it was fine.

[rafikz]

Considering that most dandruff shampoos only contain one percent of the active ingredient, I doubt it makes much of a difference. I use Selsum Blue (1% selenium sulfide) every day and have no issues. My doctor even said it was fine.

That's another interesting point

[porman]

They probably use it to avoid getting dandruff?

[ClubmanRob]

Considering that most dandruff shampoos only contain one percent of the active ingredient, I doubt it makes much of a difference. I use Selsum Blue (1% selenium sulfide) every day and have no issues. My doctor even said it was fine.

Don't believe everything a doctor tells you but in this case he's correct, as are you. Head and Shoulders is probably the best, from a chemical standpoint, shampoo that you could ever use. The OTC dandruff shampoos are mild enough to be used everyday, and if you don't already have dandruff, they help to prevent the formation of it.

You'd only have to start worrying about harshness or strength once you step up to a prescription strength dandruff treatment. As you've pointed out, the active ingredients in OTC dandruff treatment are so mild, they're effective mainly for preventive care and very mild cases.

[rafikz]

mmm.... lot of interesting points

[RichGem]

Nizoral 2% (prescription dandruff shampoo in the US) is thought by some to also be good for staying off hair loss.

[rafikz]

Nizoral 2% (prescription dandruff shampoo in the US) is thought by some to also be good for staying off hair loss.

Yup

I read that somewhere

[kingfisher]

That surprises me; I use it occasionally for my dandruff and it seems like I lose much more hair when I shampoo with this than with normal shampoo.

[waterbear]

Don't believe everything a doctor tells you but in this case he's correct, as are you. Head and Shoulders is probably the best, from a chemical standpoint, shampoo that you could ever use. The OTC dandruff shampoos are mild enough to be used everyday, and if you don't already have dandruff, they help to prevent the formation of it.

You'd only have to start worrying about harshness or strength once you step up to a prescription strength dandruff treatment. As you've pointed out, the active ingredients in OTC dandruff treatment are so mild, they're effective mainly for preventive care and very mild cases.

I have to disagree.
When you have seen as many damaged heads of hair that I have from OTC dandruff shampoos then you might think differently. This comes from over 35 years experience as both a Barber and a Cosmetologist.

[Kouros]

I use Head and Shoulders once a week to keep the scalp "honest". It is always a good idea to change shampoos frequently to avoid buildup.

[waterbear]

It is always a good idea to change shampoos frequently to avoid buildup.

Totally untrue if you are using a GOOD shampoo! I speak from 35+ years experience as a Barber and Cosmetologist!

[mretzloff]

I have to disagree.
When you have seen as many damaged heads of hair that I have from OTC dandruff shampoos then you might think differently. This comes from over 35 years experience as both a Barber and a Cosmetologist.

Please provide some proof then that dandruff shampoo is damaging to hair. Again, you're using 1% of the active ingredient. The chance that 1% of really anything, is damaging, is unlikely.

[waterbear]

Please provide some proof then that dandruff shampoo is damaging to hair. Again, you're using 1% of the active ingredient. The chance that 1% of really anything, is damaging, is unlikely.

There was a device rather common in the better salons back in the 60's and 70's called a "Tress Tester" It tested the elsaticity and tensile strength of a single hair to determine it's condition before a chemical service. I have owned one since the mid 70's. I have also seen the negative impact that several dandruff shampoos (including salon brands) have on the integrity of the protein structure of the hair as evidences by changes in strength and protein content. Realize that I did platform work and traveled around to do education for other hairstylists, including CE education so I do know a bit about this.

[Areler67]

A very good shampoo against dandruff is Polytar (coal tar + other types of tar)
The smell is ok for me but some people can't stand it (like my wife)
I think you can only buy it in UK.

[TFrankMac2140]

Nizoral 2% (prescription dandruff shampoo in the US) is thought by some to also be good for staying off hair loss.

+1 I use the non-prescription 1% strength version. As "prescribed" by my dermatologist.

Totally untrue if you are using a GOOD shampoo! I speak from 35+ years experience as a Barber and Cosmetologist!

What shampoo/conditioner would you recommend?

[adamant]

I'm pretty sure 1% cyanide would still off you.

Also, if you think about it, if 1% is strong enough to have an effect on dandruff, it is obviously doing something to your skin.

[rafikz]

There was a device rather common in the better salons back in the 60's and 70's called a "Tress Tester" It tested the elsaticity and tensile strength of a single hair to determine it's condition before a chemical service. I have owned one since the mid 70's. I have also seen the negative impact that several dandruff shampoos (including salon brands) have on the integrity of the protein structure of the hair as evidences by changes in strength and protein content. Realize that I did platform work and traveled around to do education for other hairstylists, including CE education so I do know a bit about this.

Very interesting.

Speaking of protein, I'm using a protein-rich shampoo.

Beside nutrition, do protein based shampoo have an effect on the protein structure of the hair?
If yes, should I leave it for 1 minute on my hair bedore rinsing it off?