A Comparison of Hair Quality and Cosmetic Acceptance Following the Use of Two Anti-Dandruff Shampoos

In a 2005 double-blind cross-over study involving 40 women with mild to moderate dandruff, the cosmetic acceptance and hair quality effects of a 1% pyrithione zinc conditioning shampoo were compared to those of a 2% ketoconazole shampoo. Following a 1-week washout period with a non-conditioning shampoo, participants used each study shampoo for one week. The results showed that 75% of the subjects preferred the 1% pyrithione zinc conditioning shampoo, which significantly improved hair smoothness, ease of combing, and reduced frizz/flyaway hair. The study emphasized the importance of a dandruff shampoo's ability to not only treat dandruff symptoms but also to enhance hair cosmesis to ensure patient compliance, given the chronic nature of dandruff. The 1% pyrithione zinc conditioning shampoo was found to be effective in both improving hair condition and controlling dandruff symptoms.