Dandruff is common condition that causes flaky skin on your scalp. This skin often falls off, leaving white flakes on your shoulders.
Some people with dandruff go on to develop hair loss. Is dandruff to blame?
In most cases, dandruff doesn’t directly cause hair loss. However, the itchiness it causes can lead to scratching. This can injure your hair follicles, leading to some hair loss, though not complete baldness. In addition, dandruff can increase hair loss in people with androgenic alopecia, a condition that causes male– and female-pattern baldness.
Read on to learn about tips for preventing dandruff-related hair loss.
Preventing dandruff-related hair loss focuses on eliminating as much itchiness as possible. This will reduce your urge to scratch and protect your hair follicles against further damage.
Get a diagnosis
Several things can cause dandruff, from hair-washing habits to underlying skin conditions. If you’re not sure what’s causing your dandruff, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist.
They can take a look at your scalp to help determine if your dandruff is simply a matter of washing your hair too frequently or not enough. They can also check for signs of an underlying problem, such as:
- Dry skin.
This results in small flakes that usually aren’t accompanied by redness or
inflammation. - Seborrheic
dermatitis. This condition causes a rash that often looks red, scaly, and
oily. The resulting skin flakes can be either white or yellow. - Malassezia.
Malassezia is a fungus found on most people’s scalps. However, it can sometimes
irritate your scalp and cause the growth of extra skin cells. When these skin
cells die, it can cause dandruff. - Contact
dermatitis. Sensitivity to certain ingredients in products, such as shampoo
or hair dye, that you use on your hair or scalp can cause red, flaky skin.
Once you’ve figured out the underlying cause of your dandruff, you can more effectively treat it.
Use a medicated shampoo
If you haven’t already, try using a medicated shampoo designed to help with dandruff. Look for products containing any of the following ingredients:
- pyrinthione zinc
- salicylic acid
- ketoconazole
- selenium sulfide
Shop for antidandruff shampoos containing these ingredients.
For mild cases of dandruff, you may only need to use medicated shampoo for a few weeks.
If you have light-colored hair, you may want to stay away from selenium sulfide, which can cause discoloration.
Add moisture
Regardless of the underlying cause of your dandruff, it’s important to hydrate your scalp with conditioner. This is especially important when using medicated shampoos, especially those containing salicylic acid. These can be drying when used regularly.
For an added benefit, try massaging your scalp with coconut oil, then rinse it out. In addition to being moisturizing, coconut oil has antifungal properties. In fact, a 2015 study found that its antifungal activity was similar to that of ketoconazole, a common ingredient in antidandruff shampoos.
Steer clear of using oils on your scalp if you think you might have seborrheic dermatitis. Extra oil can sometimes make this condition worse.
Avoid irritating hair products
Hair dye and other hair products often contain ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin. This can lead to contact dermatitis. Preservatives and fragrances are common causes of contact dermatitis on your scalp.
Examples of potentially irritating ingredients in hair products include:
- natural or artificial fragrance
- bleach
- detergents
- formaldehyde
Some people use products for years before noticing any kind of reaction. Even if you’ve used the same hair products without any problems, consider changing up your routine if you notice dandruff.
Manage stress
While stress won’t directly cause dandruff, it can weaken your immune system over time. This can make your scalp more sensitive to naturally occurring malassezia fungus. Learn more about the effects of stress on your body.
Try to manage your stress by practicing relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation. Even taking a walk around the block or doing some controlled breathing for a minute or two can help.
Get a little sun
Though ultraviolet rays cause premature aging and increase your risk for skin cancer, a little bit of sunlight may be good for dandruff, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you head outside, be sure to wear sunscreen on your face and body.
Having dandruff doesn’t immediately lead to hair loss. However, constantly scratching your scalp can damage your hair follicles and lead to some hair loss. This isn’t permanent and should resolve once you find out what’s causing your dandruff. If you don’t already know the cause, your doctor or dermatologist can help.
FAQs
Dandruff itself does not cause hair loss. However, severe dandruff can cause a person to scratch their scalp so hard that they injure it. Repeated inflammation in the hair follicles can cause damage and scarring, slowing or stopping hair growth. This can cause weak or thinning hair.
How to stop hair fall due to dandruff? ›
Green tea and peppermint have antimicrobial properties that promote a healthy scalp environment and prevent flakiness. The easiest solution for dandruff and hair fall is using fenugreek seeds. They have great antibacterial and antifungal properties, so they efficiently help remove silver flakes on the scalp.
What causes hair loss and dandruff? ›
Hair loss is closely associated with seborrheic dermatitis because increased sebum production can create irritation and inflammation on the scalp, which can cause intense itchiness. Scratching the scalp can damage hair follicles, which obstructs natural hair growth, causing hair to fall out.
Will hair loss from dandruff grow back? ›
Hair loss from dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis usually grows back on its own after the underlying symptoms are treated. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening.
How to permanently get rid of dandruff? ›
Dandruff is usually a chronic condition that can be managed but may not have a permanent cure. Regular use of anti-dandruff products and maintaining a healthy scalp care routine can significantly reduce symptoms and prevent recurrence.
How to remove dandruff quickly at home? ›
Tea tree oil, crushed aspirins, baking soda, and aloe vera are some of the many natural remedies you may try for dandruff. If they don't work after 2 weeks, consider consulting a healthcare professional. Dandruff is characterized by itchy, white flakes of skin on your scalp that may be uncomfortable.
What is the best shampoo for dandruff and hairfall? ›
Anti Dandruff Shampoo Price List in India
| Product List | Price Range |
|---|
| Lemon Anti-Dandruff Shampoo | Rs. 349 |
| Tea Tree Shampoo for Dandruff Free Hair - 250ml | Rs. 349 |
| Eggplex Shampoo with Egg Protein & Collagen for Strength and Shine - 250 ml | Rs. 349 |
| Henna Shampoo with Henna and Deep Roast Coffee for Premature Greying - 250 ml | Rs. 698 |
1 more rowThe simple answer to this is - No, dandruff is not a fungus by itself. However, dandruff is caused by the presence of a naturally occurring fungus. It's important to understand the role this fungus plays in your body's ecosystem before you try to use a dandruff remedy on your head.
Which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss? ›
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of two important coenzymes: flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) [22].
Can lemon remove dandruff? ›
Yes, you can use lemon juice for dandruff treatment. Thanks to lemon's composition of Citric Acid, it can treat dryness and dandruff effectively. It does this by balancing the scalp's pH level. Since the plant is antimicrobial, it excels at curbing the growth of fungus on the scalp too.
Buildup and Allergic Reactions
Residue from hair care products can trap dead skin cells and encourage the growth of Malassezia. And so can allergic reactions to certain ingredients in hair care products. If you're prone to dandruff, it's important to patch-test and choose products suitable for your scalp type.
Does hot water cause dandruff? ›
Does Hot Water Cause Dandruff? Hot water itself doesn't cause dandruff, but it can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness and potentially worsening dandruff symptoms. It's advisable to use lukewarm water when washing your hair to prevent excessive drying of the scalp.
How often should I wash my hair with dandruff? ›
Washing Hair 3 Times A Week Can Treat Dandruff
That's because other shampoos and conditioners can remove the anti-dandruff actives left on your scalp, reducing their effectiveness. So keep using our anti-dandruff shampoo.
Which oil is best to reduce dandruff? ›
Oils like tea tree oil, coconut oil, neem oil, olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, and peppermint oil can help to reduce dandruff by moisturizing and soothing the scalp, while also providing antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Does removing dandruff stop hair fall? ›
Having dandruff doesn't immediately lead to hair loss. However, constantly scratching your scalp can damage your hair follicles and lead to some hair loss. This isn't permanent and should resolve once you find out what's causing your dandruff. If you don't already know the cause, your doctor or dermatologist can help.
Does washing hair more stop dandruff? ›
You can usually treat mild dandruff at home by regularly washing your hair.
