Medicated Shampoos

Medicated shampoos are specially formulated shampoos to tackle hair problems, such as dandruff and lice. These shampoos contain salicylic acid to loosen flakes of skin, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or ciclopirox to reduce the numbers of yeasts on the scalp. Medicated shampoos have found to be very effective in problems of dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Medicated shampoos needed to be left on the hair for longer than normal shampoos. To get the perfect results, make the hair wet, 10 minutes before your bath / shower. Apply medicated shampoo and massage gently into the scalp. Leave it for 10 minutes and rinse off well. You can use a conditioner afterwards if needed.

These shampoos may also contain chemicals to treat scalp psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, but usually shampoos containing coal tar are found to be more effective in these conditions. Medicated shampoos are formulated to treat hair problems, such as

• Itching
• Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
• Psoriasis

All these conditions usually occur due to dandruff and lice in hairs. Hence the medicated shampoos can be basically categorized into two main types -

• Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
• Anti-Lice Shampoos

Anti-Dandruff Shampoos
Anti-dandruff shampoos are formulated to treat the problem of dandruff in hair, which is a term used to describe the simple scaling of the scalp. In this condition, the top layer of the skin is consistently being shed and renewed. Generally this condition goes unnoticed on the rest of the body parts, however, on the scalp the hair traps the scaling skin as a result of which the scales become more evident. About 50 % of population suffer from dandruff problem.

Regular washing of the scalp using a quality anti-dandruff shampoo can treat the dandruff condition. At present there are a variety of anti-dandruff shampoos available in the industry and the most common of them contain following active ingredients -

• Tar
• Selenium sulphide
• Zinc pyrithione/zinc omadine
• Piroctone olamine
• Ketoconazole or Miconazole Salicylic acid

Tar has been used a prime ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos for years. Piroctone olamine is a recent addition, which is also known as a second-generation anti-dandruff agent. Piroctone olamine differs from zinc pyrithione in a way that it is much less toxic and consequently products that containing piroctone olamine do not have to carry a "WARNING - if swallowed seek medical advice" label, and hence they are safer for family use.

Ketoconazole and miconazole are other new additions that are generally well tolerated. These agents are anti-fungal or anti-yeast agents and generally improve a variety of scaling and itchy scalp conditions. Salicylic acid is found in various medicated shampoos and helps to separate and lift off scalp scales.

Anti-Lice Shampoos
Anti-Lice Shampoos are specially formulated shampoos to treat the problem of lice in hair, which is a common problem in children. Lice infect only humans and spread by direct head to head contact. The most common symptom of person infected with head lice is itching, although some may do not complain if they have a light infestation.

The main treatment, which can be used to treat head lice typically, involves using a anti-lice shampoo and then diligently removing them with a lice comb. Carefully follow the usage directions and manufacturers instructions.

To achieve best results apply the shampoo until the hair and scalp is saturated and thoroughly wet. Leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes and then rinse it out. You can use again apply the shampoo after 7-10 days to kill hatched line.

Commercial Shampoos V/s Medicated Shampoos
The purpose of a shampoo is to clean hair and their basic function is to remove sebum, sweat components, desquamated keratin, environmental impurities and dirt. In addition, consumers want a shampoo, which can beautify and shine their hair. So, basic commercial shampoos can be selected from various formulations, which depend on factors, such as the amount of scalp sebum production, hair shaft diameter and the condition of hair shaft. Majority of the basic commercial shampoos uses lauryl sulfate detergents.

On the other hand, a medicated shampoo for basic normal hair is formulated using additives such as tar, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium disulfide or zinc pyrithione. Medicated shampoos are specially formulated to treat hair problems, such as sebum, scale production and bacterial & fungal infections.