Shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis: all you need to know

Essentially, seborrheic dermatitis is a far more severe form of dandruff, sharing most of the symptoms, but also including:

• severe flakes attached to the scalp (also called “scaling”)

• yellowish flake scales that can be oily

• inflamed areas on the scalp

• symptoms can appear on other body areas, like the face, chest, or back

Like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis is caused by a microbe that occurs naturally on all of our heads.

This microbe, called Malassezia globosa, can be harmless. About half the population, however, has a sensitivity to a substance it makes called oleic acid.

Typically, this leads to dandruff – but among people who are very sensitive to oleic acid, it can trigger seborrheic dermatitis instead.

The scalp’s natural reaction is to rapidly increase the production of new skin cells, which build up in clumps on the scalp and become visible flakes.

Seborrheic dermatitis can’t be cured – it’s what we call a recurring condition – but usually it can be easily and effectively managed with the right products and routine.

It’s mostly down to genetics…

Some of us are simply more likely to have scalp problems if it’s in our genes to be more sensitive to the oleic acid produced by Malassezia.

People with particularly high oil production might be more likely to suffer from seborrheic dermatitis too, as more oleic acid is produced from the sebum.

Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis can also flare up during hormonal changes, for example during adolescence or at particularly stressful times.

It’s often difficult to tell whether your symptoms are dandruff or the more severe form of it, seborrheic dermatitis.

Here’s what to look out for:

• more severe flakes

• white/yellowish scales – these tend to be more oily than dandruff flakes

• red, inflamed patches on the scalp

What exactly makes a shampoo effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis? We look at the active ingredients that help fight against flakes and other symptoms.

Medicated shampoos that you can buy over the counter normally contain one of these 5 ingredients:

1. Salicylic Acid

2. Selenium Sulfide

3. Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT)

4. Ketoconazole

5. Coal Tar

Treating dandruff is simple: simply use a good anti-dandruff shampoo regularly, like Head & Shoulders, formulated to fight dandruff and calm your scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis needs more powerful measures, so you’ll want to talk with your dermatologist about a treatment plan. If you’re not sure whether you have a tough case of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, a powerful dandruff shampoo is a good place to start. You will need a shampoo that contains the right active ingredients and that doesn’t leave your hair dry or smelling medicated.

Try using Head & Shoulders Clinically Proven Solutions shampoo with 1% selenium sulphide – it’s designed to treat persistent dandruff.

Start by washing exclusively with the shampoo for 2-3 weeks. If you have stubborn dandruff, you should really notice a difference. Continue using it regularly, since it is a chronic condition that will come back if treatment stops.

If these steps don’t bring relief, consult with your dermatologist; you may have seborrheic dermatitis or another condition that requires a different treatment

Our Clinical Strength Shampoo contains selenium sulfide, proven to be effective and safe in the long-term treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.

It fights flakes better than shampoos with other active ingredients, targeting the root cause of dandruff, and helping prevent scalp irritation.

* visible flakes with regular use, vs. OTC dandruff shampoos with non-selenium sulfide actives