Which ingredients should a dandruff shampoo have?

Look for zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or coal tar. If one does not work, the AAD suggests alternating shampoos with different actives.

Frequently asked questions

Is panthenol the same as vitamin B5?

Panthenol is provitamin B5, the form used in cosmetics, which the body can convert to vitamin B5, pantothenic acid. On labels it may appear as panthenol, dexpanthenol, or provitamin B5. All refer to the same family of ingredient used for moisture and conditioning.

Does panthenol build up on hair?

Rarely. It is water soluble and rinses away readily, unlike silicones or heavy oils that can accumulate. If hair ever feels coated in a routine containing panthenol, another ingredient such as a wax or heavy butter is the more likely cause.

Can panthenol repair damaged hair?

No ingredient repairs the hair shaft permanently, and panthenol does not rebuild broken bonds or fix split ends. What it does is improve moisture, flexibility, and combing, so damaged hair breaks less from now on. The only cure for split ends is trimming them off.

Which products deliver the most panthenol benefit?

Leave on products, because contact time drives how much penetrates and binds. Leave in conditioners, masks, and styling creams outperform shampoos for this ingredient. Position in the ingredient list matters too: higher up means more of it in the formula.

Where is fragrance listed on a hair product label?

Look for fragrance, parfum, or named fragrance ingredients in the ingredient list. A front-label claim does not replace the full list.

Why should hair product claims be checked against the ingredient list?

Front-label claims are summaries. The ingredient list and directions show what is actually in the product and how it is intended to be used.

What order should a simple wash day follow?

Cleanse the scalp, condition the lengths, detangle with slip, then apply styling products from lightest to heaviest.

How often should you clarify your hair?

Clarify when buildup changes feel, volume, or styling results. Frequency depends on products, water, scalp, and wash schedule.

Protein vs moisture for hair: what changes the choice?

Choose from how hair behaves, not a fixed calendar. Stiffness and tangling can signal a poor fit; limp or weak-feeling hair may need a different balance.

How can heat-styling damage be reduced?

Use the lowest effective temperature, limit passes, dry hair appropriately for the tool, and follow the tool and product instructions.

When should a scalp problem see a dermatologist?

Seek care for pain, sores, sudden shedding, patchy loss, infection signs, or symptoms that persist despite a simple routine.

How to read a hair product label

Start with the product’s intended use, directions, warnings, and full ingredient list. Marketing words on the front are not a substitute for the current label, and a familiar product can change formula over time.

What to do when a hair product irritates the scalp

Stop the new product when the scalp develops persistent burning, swelling, blisters, hives, or worsening itch. Rinse it out, avoid adding other new products, and seek medical care for severe or spreading symptoms.