Dandruff is made up of dead skin flakes from the scalp, usually white in color and easily shed from the scalp surface. Although dandruff is not considered a serious medical condition, it can definitely affect appearance and confidence. If you are dealing with stubborn dandruff or developing anti-dandruff products, read this article to learn more about the causes of dandruff and the right way to treat it.
Causes of Dandruff
The exact cause of dandruff is still not fully understood. However, studies on individuals with dandruff have shown ultrastructural changes in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin. These structural changes reduce the scalp’s barrier function, making it more vulnerable to external irritants.
Our skin naturally contains a type of microfungi called Malassezia, which is commonly found on mammalian skin and is generally harmless. Malassezia feeds on sebum by hydrolyzing it into saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The saturated fatty acids are consumed by Malassezia, while unsaturated fatty acids remain on the skin. One of these unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid, is known to trigger irritation and hyperproliferation on the scalp.
Scalp resistance varies from person to person, and the level of irritation, hyperproliferation, and Malassezia colonization are considered key factors contributing to dandruff. Other factors that may trigger dandruff include:
- Excess oil production on the scalp
- Cold and dry weather
- Stress or fatigue
- Mechanical stress from hair styling
- Haircare products with high pH
- Haircare products with high penetration ability
Using Piroctone Olamine to Treat Dandruff
After understanding the causes of dandruff, the right treatment method can be selected. In general, dandruff treatment can be approached through three main methods, antifungal treatment, anti-proliferative treatment, and keratolytic agents. Antifungal treatments help control Malassezia populations on the scalp. Anti-proliferative agents help slow down cell growth and development, while keratolytic agents improve moisture retention in the outer skin layer to reduce flaking.
What is Piroctone Olamine?
Piroctone Olamine is an antifungal active ingredient that works by inhibiting the transport of macromolecules required for cell survival, helping reduce targeted fungal populations.
Picture 1. Structure of Piroctone Olamine
Characterictics | Specifications |
CAS# | 68890-66-4 |
Appearance | White to light yellow powder |
| Assay % | 98.0 – 101.5 |
2-aminoethanol % | 20.1 – 20.9 |
Melting point (°C) | 130.0 – 136.0 |
pH (1% aq.) | 8.5 – 10.0 |
Residual solvent | ≤0.3 |
Shelf life | 36 months |
Packaging size | 25 kg/box |
Country of manufacture | Swiss |
Mechanism of Action of Piroctone Olamine
Piroctone Olamine works through several mechanisms to inhibit fungal and microbial growth:
- Disrupts proton gradients to prevent cells from producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), causing cell starvation
- Removes potassium and magnesium from microbes, leading to nutrient deficiency and cell death
- Chelates iron from the environment, inhibiting mitochondrial energy production in fungal cells
Efficacy Test of Piroctone Olamine Against Malassezia
Picture 2. Kill Rate of 1% Piroctone Olamine in the SLES Surfactant System in Shampoo
Picture 3. Assessment of the Efficacy of Piroctone Olamine in Eradicating Dandruff
A study was conducted on 32 male and female subjects aged 25–59 years old. A randomized double-blind study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a shampoo containing 1% Piroctone Olamine after 4 consecutive weeks of regular use. The shampoo was applied at least three times per week, and dandruff evaluations were conducted clinically once a week. Clinical examination showed a significant reduction in non-adherent dandruff, adherent dandruff, and total dandruff compared to the initial evaluation (Day 1), starting from Day 8 of the study. The clinical results were also compared with self-assessment scores from participants, who rated dandruff severity on a scale of 1 to 10.
Picture 4. Assessment of Itchy Scalp Due to Dandruff
In the same clinical study, subjects also rated scalp itchiness on a scale of 1 to 10. A significant reduction in itchiness was observed starting from the first evaluation on Day 8, and the average itch level continued to decrease throughout the study.
Comparison of Piroctone Olamine with Other Active Ingredients
Piroctone Olamine vs Other Antifungal Agents
Besides Piroctone Olamine, other common antifungal agents used for dandruff include topical imidazole antifungals such as ketoconazole and climbazole, which work by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis. Although these ingredients can inhibit fungal growth, they may also lead to fungal adaptation and mutation by altering ergosterol synthesis pathways, making fungal cell walls more resistant to antimicrobial agents.
Piroctone Olamine vs Keratolytic Agents
Common keratolytic agents include coal tar, salicylic acid, and sulfur. These ingredients help improve scalp moisture and loosen the bonds between corneocytes, allowing dandruff flakes to be removed more easily during washing.
Piroctone Olamine vs Anti-Proliferative Agents
Anti-proliferative agents such as coal tar and steroids slow down skin cell growth, resulting in reduced dandruff flaking.
Piroctone Olamine vs Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT)
Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT) has long been one of the most widely used anti-dandruff active ingredients worldwide. However, starting March 1st, 2023, the European Commission officially banned its use in consumer products. This is due to concerns that ZPT may cause DNA damage and irritation to the eyes, mouth, and nose. Therefore, the use of ZPT as an anti-dandruff active ingredient is no longer recommended due to potential safety concerns.
Piroctone Olamine Supplier in Indonesia
Maha provides high-quality Piroctone Olamine. Contact us for request free sample and explore more information regarding products, formulations, or challenges in your industry. Our experienced technical team is ready to help support your poultry production needs!