I am an african-american woman and i have been dain my hair shampoo should i be using and what ingredients should i stay away from to prevent dandruff?

Medicated shampoos.: Rather than avoiding certain ingredients, you should try to use medicated shampoos in attempt to control, not cure, your dandruff or "seborrheic dermatitis". I like to recommend selsun blue, neutrogena t-sal or t-gel as well as many of the various head and shoulders products. If these do not work by lathering onto scalp x 5 min at least 3 times per week, see a dermatologist for prescriptions.