Today, shampoos are expected to be more than mere cleansing agents. They are expected to improve the hair cosmetically while being tailored to the needs of various hair types, age, and scalp condition. Finally, with respect to product comfort, shampoos are expected to not dry out the hair, to produce lather in hard and soft water and, when applied to oily hair, to be non-irritating to skin and mucous membranes, to be chemically and physically stable, to be biodegradable, and affordable. Accordingly, shampoos have evolved into high-tech products consisting of ten to thirty ingredients that are combined in precise formulations to meet consumer demands.

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Ultimately, shampoo treatments are the most commonly used means of managing hair and scalp conditions and are‌‌‌ ‌effective for the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis of the head-and-neck type. Today, it is understood that scalp care products for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis exert their benefits by controlling scalp Malassezia levels.

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Given the observations on the role of oxidative stress in premature hair loss and the part that Malassezia spp. play in generating oxidative stress, it is likely that products with Malassezia control active would exert some hair loss prevention benefits.