There are two main dandruff dilemmas. The first one of course effects the person who is experiencing it, or the parent or loved one of that person. Our first reaction is its cause, and maybe more importantly, how to get rid of it.

The second dilemma is experienced by big business. They produce and sell products to alleviate the symptoms. But think about it, if their products were a cure, they would not have much repeat business.

Shampoo is a perfect example. Active ingredients such as zinc pyrithione and salicylic acid are added to the most popular shampoos. While both of these ingredients are excellent for treatment, they simply aren't in contact with the scalp long enough to be of any real effect. Not to mention most of these shampoos give your hair an unhealthy dried out look.

For our purposes here, I will focus on the first dilemma, and let big business worry about their own problems!

Here's the problem. Most people simply don't know what to do short of buying popular products, or going to the time and expense of visiting a dermatologist. Here's the good news. You don't have to visit a dermatologist to receive as effective dandruff treatment. Dermatologist frequently prescribe medications which remain on the scalp overnight. There are however, hair products you probably already use, except for the addition of active ingredients like zinc and salicylic acid which stay in continual contact with the scalp being formulated into them.

Along with active ingredients, I highly recommend products which include natural herbal ingredients. Check out this list of beneficial herbal ingredients and their qualities.

Zinc Pyrithione: Most widely used active ingredient used to treat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema and numerous other skin and scalp disorders. Synthesized in the 1930's, has strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Salicylic Acid: Naturally found in willow tree bark. Key additive in many skin care products. Causes skin cells to slough off more readily keeping pores open.

Tea Tree Oil: Strongest known natural antiseptic. Also has punitive skin penetrating capacity as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, germicide and fungicide. From the Australian plant Melaleuca Alternifolia.

Peppermint Oil: Natural properties include penetrating and anelgesic qualities.

Guava: Herbal anelgesic, anti-baterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic.

Wild Cherry: Natural root bark extract astrigent.

Chamomile: Herbal anti-inflammatory.

Horsetail: Herbal storehouse of vitamins and minerals, revitalizing properties.

Nettle: Herbal anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, rich in minerals.

Dandelion Extract: Natural allergen

Aloe Barbabenis: Natural anti-irritant

It may surprise many of my readers that most dandruff shampoo is actually harmful to your hair. While you may experience some moderate relief of your dandruff. It is usually short lived, and your hair actually ends up looking and feeling much worse. I would highly suggest that you choose one that will restore natural PH balance back to you scalp. I would also recommend it to be mild and include Tea Tree OIL and natural herbal ingredients.

The solution is not going to be in the shampoo entirely. At least not for the vast majority of people. They simply are not in contact with the scalp long enough to supply complete relief.

Living with dry skin and scalp has been a reality for me for most of my almost 50 years. I have researched remedies and have come across some who would even go so far as to advise the use of vinegar applied overnight on a regular basis. Now who in the world wants to sleep with vinegar in their hair!

So what would I recommend? How about products which have the beneficial ingredients in them, are easy to use, and smell great. What comes to mind you ask? How about styling gels and sprays which most of us use already? Wow, how simple is that. All we have to do is find styling sprays and gels which have the active and herbal ingredients formulated into them, and they will be in contact with our scalp each time we use them until we shampoo them off.

There are a very few available. But if you search online, I'm sure you will be able to find the ones which are right for you. Just be sure they include many if not all of the ingredients I've listed above for maximum effectiveness.

Dandruff can be controlled, it just takes a better course of action than most common solutions provide.