DHS Zinc Shampoo is a time-honored dandruff treatment formulated with the maximal allowed concentration of 2% pyrithione zinc, making it the best zinc shampoo to treat seborrhea of the scalp.
This highly effective anti-dandruff shampoo is an economical solution for medicated treatment of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. It delivers the strongest level of medicated pyrithione zinc in a gentle base appropriate for people with allergic or sensitive skin.
Pyrithione zinc is a broad antimicrobial ingredient that reduces the population of the skin yeast germ called Malassezia (also called Pityrosporum) that plays an important role in seborrhea. This makes a pyrithione zinc shampoo one of the best treatments treats seborrhea to help relieve the itching and flakes from dandruff. Pyrithione zinc has been used to treat dandruff for over 50 years and has stood the test of time.
As a dermatologist, I prefer a pyrithione zinc anti-dandruff shampoo over a Nizoral containing anti-dandruff shampoo because of the difference in how these two ingredients work. Pyrithione zinc works against Malassezia yeast by mechanisms that, in my opinion, are unlikely to result in resistance (1). Nizoral, also called ketoconazole, works by a mechanism known to result in the development of resistant yeast and fungi (2).
My strong preference is pyrithione zinc for anti-dandruff treatment; seborrhea is a lifelong condition and people prone to seborrhea will need to use an anti-dandruff treatment periodically to control the rash over the course of their lifetime.
Doctors typically recommend using an anti-dandruff pyrithione zinc shampoo at least twice a week. That said, many people opt to use it daily. Pyrithione zinc can be slightly irritating to sensitive skin.
I prefer a pyrithione zinc anti-dandruff shampoo for the treatment of seborrhea. DHS Zinc an excellent brand. It is made by Person Covey, a pharmaceutical lab that produces a line of robust dermatologic products that I have used to treat my patients since the mid-1980s.
Yes, shampoos with salicylic acid (a keratolytic) and selenium sulfide (an antimicrobial ingredient like pyrithione zinc) are also good choices. Of these, I prefer salicylic acid, which is a keratolytic that helps remove thick scalp flakes. Alternating a zinc shampoo with a salicylic acid shampoo is a good flakey scalp treatment routine.
Please note that there is a subtle botanical fragrance in DHS Zinc Shampoo.
Reference:
1. Park, M., Cho, YJ., Lee, Y.W. et al. Understanding the Mechanism of Action of the Anti-Dandruff Agent Zinc Pyrithione against Malassezia restricta. Sci Rep 8, 12086 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30588-2
2. Park M, Cho YJ, Lee YW, Jung WH. Genomic Multiplication and Drug Efflux Influence Ketoconazole Resistance in Malassezia restricta. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 Apr 30;10:191. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00191. PMID: 32426297; PMCID: PMC7203472.
3. Mangion SE, Holmes AM, Roberts MS. Targeted Delivery of Zinc Pyrithione to Skin Epithelia. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(18):9730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189730
Cleanse your scalp with a non-medicated shampoo first to remove oil, dirt and product residue. Be sure to apply and lather all shampoos all the way down to your scalp skin as this is where the rash of dandruff begins. Rinse off your first non-medicated shampoo. Shake the bottle of DHS Zinc Shampoo and then apply a generous amount of medicated DHS Zinc Shampoo onto your scalp skin.
Follow up with conditioner or your other normal hair products.
Know that stubborn dandruff responds best when you shampoo daily. Use DHS Zinc at least twice weekly or as directed by your physician. The flakes of dandruff happen due to the rash. Their presence may make you think that you have “dry scalp” and many people with dandruff hesitate to shampoo daily because of this misconception.
Dandruff treatment works best when you keep your scalp free from oil buildup, flake build up and accumulation of the Pityrosporum yeast that plays a role in causing dandruff. DHS Zinc Shampoo treats this yeast and is an ideal treatment for scalp dandruff.
If you scalp fails to clear up with this treatment, please consider consulting your dermatologist to be certain that you have the correct diagnosis as dandruff is not the only condition that can cause flaking, itching and redness of the scalp.
For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes with water. Keep out of the reach of children.
Active Ingredient: Zinc Pyrithione 2%
Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-8 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxylpropyl Methylcellulose, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Fragrance, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6
