Dandruff is a common problem for many people and its annoying symptoms include flaking, scaling and/or crusting of the scalp.  This medical condition is especially common during the winter months as cold weather makes the scalp dry, thus causing it to flake and shed.  If the scalp flakes and scales persist, or, if these symptoms appear on other parts of the body, it indicates a more serious medical condition known as seborrheic dermatitis. In either case, both disorders occur because the body is unable to shed old skin at a proper rate.

Shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp is a natural process. These cells are continually being generated and are formed at the lowest level of the skin. In normal conditions, these cells form and move to the outer surface about every 28 days and shed almost invisibly. However, if the skin overproduces new cells, they tend to clump together and form coarse, white flakes.

When treating an itchy and flaky scalp, many dermatologists recommend using a coal-based shampoo as it is an excellent "keratolytic" and dandruff inhibiting agent.  Coal tar is a blackish-brown, odorous liquid extracted from soft coal.  In addition to its ability to act directly on flakes, it also kills bacteria, stops itching and has an astringent effect of the scalp. Coal tar is often used as the active ingredient in many anti-flake relief shampoos with concentration ranges from 0.5 to 5%. 

Geritrex has developed a premium line of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff shampoos which include:  

• PC Tar™ Shampoo (Zetar® equivalent - Dermik Laboratories) – Formulated for sensitive skin types, this hair cleanser contains Solubilized Coal Tar Extract (1%) in a baby-mild shampoo base.
• Tera Gel™ Shampoo (T/Gel™ equivalent - Neutrogena) – Contains a blend of Solubilized Coal Tar Extract (0.5%) and PCMX (0.5%), a desirable antimicrobial agent.