There are many causes of hair thinning and loss and many more misconceptions about those causes. One of the most persistent is that dandruff, in and of itself, can cause hair fallout. Is there any truth to this oft-repeated claim?
What is it?
Whereas hair loss is a condition related to your actual hair, dandruff involves only your scalp and is more of a dermatological issue than anything. Just like your skin can get dry and flaky, so too can your head; after all, your scalp is still made up of skin. The only difference is that it’s hidden under your hair.
Dry skin isn’t the only culprit, however. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the most common causes is seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that results in red, greasy skin with flaky white or yellow patches. The condition most frequently appears on the scalp, but it can affect other areas rich with oil glands. Wherever your skin is prone to being oily (such as your eyebrows and nose), seborrheic dermatitis can develop.
Other usual suspects include not shampooing your hair enough, which can lead to oil and dead skin buildup flaking off; malassezia, a fungus that can irritate the scalp and lead to excess skin cell creation that eventually dies and flakes away; and contact dermatitis, which can result from sensitivities to specific ingredients in hair care products. The bottom line is that all of these causes are related to skin woes, not your actual hair. As such, dandruff alone does not result from or cause hair loss or thinning.
The hair loss connection
While dandruff doesn’t directly cause hair loss, it can contribute in another way. When left uncontrolled, the irritation and itchiness can lead to frequent head-scratching, which in turn can weaken your hair and cause it to thin and fall out. The good news is that this hair loss is temporary, and the hair should grow back once the dandruff is treated and you’re no longer constantly scratching at your scalp.
If it’s determined that your hair loss is becoming more serious or has another cause besides dandruff-related stress, consult your local hair loss specialist to discuss possible solutions. At Genesis II, our hair and scalp treatment system is an advanced anti thinning, multi-therapeutic hair loss program designed specifically to stop hair loss and promote healthier, thicker hair. To schedule a free consultation all us at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
Photo Credit: jackmac34 Via Pixabay
Sources
“Dandruff.” 2016. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. July 14. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/symptoms-causes/syc-20353850.
McMillen, Matt. 2017. “Dandruff and Thinning Hair.” WebMD. WebMD. Accessed November 1. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/thinning-hair#1.
Patton, Roy. 2017. “Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?” Antidandruff.net. Accessed November 1. http://www.antidandruff.net/can-dandruff-cause-hair-loss/.
Shaista. 2017. “Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?” STYLECRAZE. September 19. http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/can-dandruff-cause-hair-loss/#gref.
