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Scalp Care: anti-dandruff shampoos Vichy Dercos DS, Head & Shoulders and Neutrogena T/Gel, for dandruff, oily roots or an itchy scalp. Read the label.
A scalp care product is made for the skin of the scalp rather than for the lengths. It is made for the most common concerns: dandruff, roots that get oily quickly, dry skin that feels tight or itching. Our scalp care products are mostly treatment shampoos, to be used as a course.
Dandruff is made up of small flakes of dead skin that come away from the scalp too quickly. It is often linked to a yeast that lives naturally on the skin, called Malassezia, when it multiplies too much. Anti-dandruff shampoos contain active ingredients chosen by their brands for this concern, so check the label. Dandruff is not contagious and does not come from a lack of hygiene.
We have chosen three well-known brands. The Vichy Dercos DS shampoo comes in two versions, for dry or oily dandruff. Head & Shoulders offers gentle formulas, designed for daily use according to the brand. Neutrogena T/Gel completes the selection with its anti-dandruff range.
The scalp produces sebum, a natural oil that coats the skin and hair. When it produces too much, the roots get oily within a day; when it produces too little, the skin feels tight and flakes. A scalp scrub, once a week at most, lifts away dead skin and product residue.
First look at your dandruff. Dry dandruff is fine, white and falls onto the shoulders. Oily dandruff is thicker, yellowish and sticks to the scalp. It often goes hand in hand with roots that get oily quickly. Choose the version of the shampoo that matches your case.
An oily scalp calls for a gentle, deep-cleansing shampoo, which you can use often. A dry scalp, or one that feels tight, does better with a mild formula, free of fragrance. In both cases, wash with lukewarm water: very hot water irritates skin that is already sensitive.
Also look at the composition. The most common anti-dandruff ingredients are piroctone olamine, selenium disulphide and salicylic acid, which helps loosen flakes. If your skin is reactive, prefer a formula marked “sensitive skin”, and stop any product that stings or causes redness.
If your itching comes with red patches, crusts or hair loss, consult a dermatologist. It may be seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis, which need suitable treatment. The dermatologist can also prescribe a stronger shampoo if over-the-counter products are not enough.
Wet your hair, then massage the shampoo into the scalp with your fingertips, without scratching with your nails. Respect the leave-on time shown on the bottle before rinsing: the active ingredients need this contact with the skin. Then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, so that no residue is left on the scalp.
To begin with, use it 2 to 3 times a week, following the instructions on the pack. Then space it out to once a week, alternating with a gentle shampoo. Also wash your brushes and change your pillowcase often.
A treatment shampoo can dry the lengths. Apply your conditioners only on the ends, away from the scalp. Our leave-in treatments then moisturise the lengths without touching the roots.
Dry your roots at a medium temperature, holding the hairdryer at a distance, as scorching air dries the skin. Also avoid scratching patches of dandruff, which can become irritated. Find the whole routine in our hair care range.
