Selsun Blue vs Head & Shoulders vs Nizoral?: Best Dandruff Shampoo

Many people suffer from dandruff. In some cases, the dandruff is caused by dry scalp but chronic dandruff is caused by a fungal growth. If you've ever had athlete's foot, the same environment of a sweaty and oily scalp can mean a feeding ground for dandruff causing fungus. When dandruff occurs, it's easy to go to the drug store and pick up an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo. The two most commonly used dandruff shampoos are Head & Shoulders and Selsun Blue. While these dandruff shampoos work for light to moderate dandruff, they do not do well for severe flaking.

Those who suffer from severe dandruff need something more. The active ingredients in these common dandruff shampoos are not enough in dealing with the fungal growth. It may sound gross that fungus is growing on your scalp but dandruff is a condition that can seriously impact self esteem.

Head & Shoulders is probably the most recognized dandruff treatment on the market. When I first had dandruff, Head & Shoulders did an okay job at controlling the flakes but as some of you may know, it doesn't always work. Sometimes, it would work and then completely stop. It's a strange experience as if the fungus develops an immunity to the treatment. Head & Shoulders only seem to work for people with light dandruff. Using it is fairly pleasant. It has a distinct but light odor. It lathers moderately well too.

Selsun Blue is the more serious version of Head & Shoulders. Everything about it is more intense. If you had a severe dandruff outbreak and you use Selsun Blue for the first time, you will feel it sting your scalp. It's a strange sensation. The smell is also very strong. It has a very "medicinal" feel to it. It lathers on strong and it feels very heavy. Selsun Blue can have a lingering odor after you rinse. Even if you've rinsed thoroughly. It may be a good idea to apply a conditioner after using Selsun Blue to mask the strong odor.

The active ingredient in Head & Shoulders is pyrithione zinc. Pyrithione zinc is an anti-fungal ingredient that treats mild dandruff well. If you never had dandruff before, using pyrithione zinc treatments is an easy and cost effective way to control dandruff. Head & Shoulders is the most advertised treatment for dandruff. Selsun Blue is the second most popular brand of dandruff shampoo treatments. It's active ingredient is selenium sulfide. You may be familiar with the Selsun Blue motto of, "Never wear black without the blue. Selsun Blue." It's catchy and it has become quite popular with people suffering from dandruff. Selsun Blue have been acclaimed for being more effective than Head & Shoulders in treating flakes. Selsun Blue ranks number 2 in the treatment of dandruff. First time users will be overwhelmed by the strong scent but will be happy with the results compared to Head & Shoulders. If you have moderate dandruff, Selsun Blue may be right for you. Selsun Blue is available over the counter with 1% pyrithione zinc or with a prescription increasing the strength to 2.5%.

Nizoral is currently the best treatment for chronic dandruff. Not surprising, it is also the most expensive. A small bottle can cost over $15. Nizoral not only works the best, but it is also the most discreet. When you buy it, it looks very generic as not many people know about it. This can save you some embarrassment at the checkout line. It also lathers the best out of the three. It lathers strong and it smells like a regular shampoo. It has a very light feel to it and the smell is very pleasant. It doesn't linger too long either and even if you leave some in, no one will know you are using it. It doesn't have the "medicinal" feel of Selsun Blue yet it is the strongest dandruff shampoo you can purchase over-the-counter. It was originally a prescription shampoo having 2% ketoconazole as the active ingredient while the over-the-counter is 1%.

Dandruff is a common condition that is seemingly minor compared to other health problems. Unlike other health problems, dandruff can affect other aspects of your life. Especially your social life. If you have chronic dandruff, you may be shy to go out or hide under a hat. Is there a cure for dandruff? At the moment, there is no cure for dandruff. There are only treatments. There are speculations that in 5 to 10 years, there will be a cure. Some people including myself believe a cure already exists but it is kept secret to protect the industry. Why cure it when it can be treated for years. While over the counter ketoconazole is the best treatment for dandruff, it is important to follow other habits to control your flaking. Do not wear a hat. Hats trap moisture and sweat. Fungus thrive under damp and dark places. What better place to grow than under a sweaty baseball cap. Go out in the sun. Shed some stimulating light on your scalp. Take your vitamins. Fungus seem to grow poorly in zinc enriched diets. This means eat your avocados and oysters. Also, throw away your pillow and change them regularly. They are fairly cheap and having dandruff ridden pillows can mean regression after a long period without flaking.

Another noteworthy mention is hair loss. Some studies have suggested that ketoconazole helps in the treatment of hair loss. The benefits even rival the popular hair loss product, Rogaine.