Hair And Scalp Conditions Can Be Distressing But There Are Options You Can Recommend At The Pharmacy Counter.
Throughout our lives, our hair plays an important part in our identity. From our first trip to the hairdressers as kids, to when we get ready for a night out, and other special occasions, we want to make sure our hair is looking its best. And there is a range of over-the-counter (OTC) products stocked at the community pharmacy that you can recommend to help keep customers’ hair in top condition.
DANDRUFF
Dandruff is something that can affect most of us at one time or another. It is one of the most common hair care problems, with one-in-two people in the world experiencing dandruff at some point in their lives, and it can be caused by a range of conditions.
With dandruff, white or grey f lakes of skin appear on the scalp and in the hair. These f lakes are often more noticeable in darker hair and if they fall onto the shoulders. Stress and cold weather may also make dandruff worse.
While dandruff flakes can be easily spotted on a person’s shoulders, there are other signs too, such as itching, redness, and a dry scalp. It can be caused by different conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. It can also be caused by hormonal changes such as puberty.
Undoubtedly, dandruff can be distressing, but there are a range of products which can help treat it.
Head & Shoulders is one of the best-known anti-dandruff shampoo brands available. The shampoo treats dandruff while also treating flakes, itching, and dryness, and it is proven to work on all the symptoms of dandruff.
Alpecin is also a very popular brand, and its range includes the Alpecin Double-Effect Caffeine Shampoo. The combination of salicylic acid and piroctone olamine gently removes oily dandruff and effectively relieves scalp itch.
Oily dandruff forms because sebaceous gland secretions serve as an adhesive to old skin cells, allowing them to stick together and form large visible f lakes of dandruff.
Alpecin Caffeine Hybrid Shampoo removes these skin cells and gently relieves the scalp thoroughly of any oily dandruff. With its anti-inf lammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, this shampoo promotes a healthy scalp and prevents the formation of new dandruff. It also helps hair growth phases and stimulates hair growth.
Alpecin Dandruff Killer Shampoo, as the name suggests, kills off dandruff and keeps the scalp healthy. Its four active ingredients – allantoin, fumaric acid, panthenol, and piroctone olamine – effectively remove and prevent dandruff. Alpecin Dandruff Killer Shampoo used daily will relieve scalp irritations, build up a smooth scalp surface, and restore the scalp’s natural balance. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in numerous clinical studies.
Another trusted brand is Nizoral. Its anti-dandruff shampoo treats dandruff symptoms such as dry, f laky, red, and itchy scalp. Nizoral with ketoconazole effectively combats the fungus that can cause dandruff and is clinically proven to control itching and f laking. Nizoral is dermatologically tested, gentle on the scalp, fragrance-free, and suitable for all hair types. For the first two-to-four weeks, people are directed to use it every three or four days to clear dandruff. Once dandruff is treated, it is recommended to use Nizoral once every week or once every two weeks to prevent dandruff from coming back. It is fragrance-free, suitable for all hair types, and can be used by adults and adolescents over 12 years.
HEAD LICE
Every parent or guardian has gotten the school warning of a head lice outbreak in the class. Like going for the first haircut, it is simply part of life. It is estimated that one-in-10 children suffer from head lice at any one time, with 80 per cent of head lice infestations occurring in children between the ages of four and 16.
Head lice are wingless insects that live on the scalp, holding onto the hair. They are greyish in colour but turn darker after feeding from the blood in the scalp. They are 2-to-3mm in size and live close to the scalp, where they feed on blood. It is their bites that can cause itching. They especially love warm spots, like behind the ears or around the neck. Adult lice can live for as long as a month, with females laying up to five-to-six eggs a day. Nits are the empty egg cases left on the hair after the lice have hatched, and are pale in colour.
Lice spread when heads come into contact, so sleepovers, afterschool activities, play dates, and family visits are the most common ways for children to pick them up and pass them on.
Fortunately, there are several OTC products, including nit combs and shampoo products, to treat head lice.
Hedrin has a range of products to help treat head lice. Hedrin Once is a fast-acting solution that takes just 15 minutes to work. It has a thicker gel formulation which contains Penetrol to aid the penetration of the louse egg. It is fast-acting to shorten treatment time, and clinically proven to kill head lice and eggs with just one application.
OILY DANDRUFF FORMS BECAUSE SEBACEOUS GLAND SECRETIONS SERVE AS AN ADHESIVE TO OLD SKIN CELLSÂ
There is also Hedrin Protect & Go, a hassle-free conditioning spray which is clinically proven to help protect against head lice. It disrupts the life cycle of head lice, preventing an infestation.
It is a water-based conditioner which is easy to use and can be applied to wet or dry hair after shampooing. It is recommended to apply it after every hair wash or at least twice a week.
Hedrin Treat & Go is a fuss-free solution which is great for children who just can’t sit still.
Available as a mousse and spray, it is a leave-in treatment which is washed out later. When dry, it remains on the child’s hair while they play, go to school, or sleep. A water-based treatment, it rinses out of the hair easily, without any greasy residue.
Another trusted and popular product is Lyclear shampoo. It is a tested and effective head lice treatment. The dual-action formula suffocates and dehydrates both the head lice and eggs. Lice cannot develop resistance to the shampoo and it does not contain insecticides. The pack contains 200ml product and a comb.
In terms of application, the manufacturers advise applying the shampoo to dry hair, covering all the hair and scalp. The shampoo should then be massaged into the hair, paying attention to behind the ears and the nape of the neck. After 10 minutes, water should be added to the hair. It should then be worked into a foam, washing and rinsing the hair thoroughly afterwards. The nit comb should be used again on wet hair to remove any lice and the treatment should be repeated after seven days.
There is also Full Marks Head Lice Treatment Solution, which has been specially formulated to kill head lice and eggs in just five minutes. The powerful and effective formula contains no traditional pesticides and is effective after just one treatment.
As well as shampoos, there are also nit combs, an essential tool in helping to tackle head lice. One such comb is the Nitty Gritty Nit Free comb. It was designed by a group of mothers who wanted a way to remove head lice from their children without using chemicals. The comb has 33 round-tipped teeth which go through the hair very easily, with each one of the micro-spiral grooves gently removing anything attached to the hair such as lice, nits, and even unhatched ‘live’ louse eggs. It is suitable for children and adults.
MAINTENANCE
While it is crucial to treat issues such as head lice and dandruff, ongoing daily maintenance of our hair is also very important.
The Alpecin brand has a range of products which includes Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo C1. This product strengthens hair roots and gives hair more grip, meaning it can be styled better without the use of softening silicones. Its unique formula containing caffeine, zinc, and niacin supports natural hair growth, and its effectiveness has been clinically proven.
Alpecin Grey Attack Caffeine & Colour Shampoo promises darker and stronger hair after just two-to-four weeks of daily use. The product’s active ingredient 5,6-DHI accumulates in the hair when shampooing and reacts with the oxygen in the air to form the colour pigment. This causes the hair tone to gradually darken. The result is a permanent hair colour that grows out with the hair. In addition, the well-known caffeine complex supplies the hair roots with energy.
There is also the Just For Men range. Its product Just For Men Control GX gradually reduces greys by slowly bringing them back to their natural shade while it cleanses and conditions the hair. Another trusted product is L’Oreal Men Expert Men’s Hair Dye, which is mess-free and specially developed for men’s hair.
The Aussie line of shampoos includes a product for use on dry hair which is infused with Australian macadamia nut oil and promises to moisturise and hydrate locks. The brand’s Aussie Gentle Clean Shampoo nourishes frazzled hair and is infused with authentic Blue Mountain eucalyptus extract.
Aveeno also has a range of products, including shampoos for dry and damaged hair. Made with colloidal oats and wholesome, botanical ingredients, Aveeno Daily Moisture+ Oat Milk Blend Shampoo gently cleanses and nourishes dry, damaged hair while also respecting the scalp balance. There is also TRESemme Pro Collection Keratin Smooth Shampoo for damaged hair which helps achieve a soft and shiny finish.
As well as numerous trusted shampoo brands suitable for adults and adolescents, there are also products designed for babies. Johnson’s Baby Shampoo is a well-known brand. It is designed to gently cleanse a baby’s fine hair and delicate scalp, leaving their hair soft, shiny, manageable, and clean while maintaining a fresh smell. It has been tested by paediatricians and dermatologists and is hypoallergenic. The No More Tears formula allows for a tear-free experience. It also contains no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or dyes.
HAIR LOSS
Hair loss is something that can affect many people and often runs in families. It can be caused by illness, cancer treatment, stress, weight loss, and iron deficiency.
Regaine For Men Foam works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles, which helps to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth. The easy-to-use foam takes very little time to apply, meaning it can easily fit into your daily grooming routine. Results may be noticeable in just eight weeks.
Viviscal Man supplements can also help maintain normal healthy hair growth. They are scientifically formulated with the important nutrient zinc, which helps maintain normal healthy hair growth from within, and the proprietary marine protein complex AminoMar C.
Another product is Bioxsine Hair Loss Herbal Shampoo, which is for men and women who are experiencing hair loss. This shampoo maintains existing hair growth while encouraging new growth. The special ingredient in Bioxsine – Biocomplex B11 – helps reduce hair loss, thickens and strengthens hair, and reinforces active hair follicles, when used regularly. It helps prevent hair loss and encourages the growth of new hair.
Hair care can also extend to beard and moustache care, with plenty of OTC products available. The L’Oreal Men Expert Barber Club range offers products that support the daily care of a beard/other facial hair.
A well-known grooming product range is Brylcreem and its Strong Hair Gel gives hair strength and durability with a dependable, f lake-free hold that lasts up to 24 hours.
Another brand, DAX, has a range of hair care products, including DAX Short & Neat, which is great for all hair types. It contains coconut oil, an excellent conditioner that promotes hair growth and adds shine. It also has castor oil, which contains Omega-9 fatty acids to nourish hair and prevent dryness, as well as mineral oil to minimise frizz and enhance curl. It works best if used on short to medium-length hair.