Scalp Care

Take care of your scalp by using Selsun Blue shampoos that are formulated to gently remove sebum and pollutants from your scalp that can cause dandruff or irritation. These shampoos are formulated with active ingredients that not only attack the root source of the dandruff, but laboratory tests have also shown that the minerals zinc and selenium help to promote and proliferate healthy scalp cells.

Dandruff (pityriasis capitis) is the excessive flaking of dead skin that forms on the scalp. As it is normal for skin cells to die and flake off, a small amount of flaking is normal and, in fact, quite common. Some people, however, either chronically or as a result or certain triggers, experience an unusually large amount of flaking, which can be not only a visual nuisance, but is also often accompanied by redness, itching, and irritation. Dandruff can also be a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or fungal infection.

The most common cause of dandruff is caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur (previously known as Pityrosporum ovale). This fungus is found naturally on the skin surface of both healthy people and those with dandruff. The fungus feeds off of sebum, and is consequently found most on skin areas with many sebaceous glands: on the scalp, face, and upper part of the body. When Malassezia furfur grows too rapidly, the natural renewal of cells is disturbed and dandruff appears with itching. Mild dandruff may be caused by overactive sebaceous glands which are triggered by hormonal imbalance or stress.

Other causative factors include family history, food allergies, excessive perspiration, use of alkaline soaps, and yeast infections. Even the season or the year can contribute to the problem: cold, dry winters are notorious for bringing on dandruff or making it worse. Symptoms of dandruff can also be aggravated by exposure to dust, UV light, harsh shampoos, and hair dyes.