Your scalp's itchy and you're afraid to wear anything black. But, there's no reason to live in fear of another dandruff attack. With so many great products on the market, this is one cosmetic blight that's easily overcome

Dandruff is a common affliction and one that will affect most of us at some point in our lives. Hairdresser, Beverly Cobella, says, 'True dandruff is caused by the overproduction of a naturally occurring fungus known as Pityrosporum Ovale, which can be triggered by a hormonal imbalance, an excessively oily scalp or a dietary deficiency'. Cobella adds that while we all shed dead skin cells, dandruff sufferers have a higher cell turnover than most. Because there's a tendency for these cells to cluster together, the flakes are very visible. In some cases, however, what appears to be dandruff is simply the natural flaking that results from a dry scalp.

Getting the treatment
Most cases of dandruff are successfully treated with an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo, available at your local chemist. Active ingredients worth looking for in some popular products include: Zinc Pyrithione, Climbazole, Octopirox and Ketoconazole. In severe cases, your doctor will prescribe a stronger solution.

Some products are designed for use every time you wash your hair, while others only require occasional use. It is important to that you read the label on your shampoo and follow the instructions carefully. Philip Kingsley, a trichologist - an expert on the hair and scalp - believes, 'You should alternate between using an anti-dandruff shampoo and your usual shampoo.' Although opinion is divided on this advice, the best course of action is to experiment with both kinds of shampoos and see what kind of regime works best for you. If you find that switching back to your regular shampoo causes your dandruff to return, then stick with an anti-dandruff shampoo until you've been dandruff-free for a few months.

Be scalp-sensitive
Dandruff tends to leave your scalp feeling itchy and tender, so you'll need to treat it with care. Cobella suggests, 'working your anti-dandruff shampoo into your scalp using firm but gentle circular motions to boost circulation and help gently exfoliate old skin cells.'

To avoid aggravating your scalp, be gentle when brushing or combing your hair. Similarly, it's wise to postpone having your hair permed or coloured while you have dandruff, as these processes can irritate a delicate scalp. When blow-drying, be sure to use a low heat setting and don't let the blow-dryer linger on one area of the head - otherwise you'll risk overheating and irritating the scalp.

Finally, if your scalp is particularly tender, 'Condition only the ends of the hair after shampooing, then use an anti-flaking tonic,' suggests Kingsley. If your dandruff doesn't go away after several weeks of using anti-dandruff shampoo, you should consult your GP for additional suggestions.