Dandruff is rarely the sole cause of hair loss. Hair loss rarely comes from dandruff alone. If you’re predisposed to baldness or have androgenic alopecia, dandruff can accelerate hair loss. Most people with dandruff experience a flaky, itchy scalp. Scratching a dry scalp often damages hair follicles. Scoring doesn’t cause hair loss but damages follicles, hindering healthy growth.
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is dry, flaking skin on the scalp. Various factors often cause dandruff:
- Dry skin – Overwashing your hair, rinsing your scalp with hot water, and not drinking enough water can cause dry scalp.
- Malassezia – This is a type of fungus that grows on scalps naturally. Dandruff can occur if your skin becomes irritated by the presence of Malassezia.
- Seborrheic dermatitis – Those with Seborrheic dermatitis often notice a red, oily, scaly rash. Dandruff caused by Seborrheic dermatitis tends to have red or yellow flakes.
- Contact dermatitis – Certain products like shampoos, conditioners, and dyes that irritate your scalp can cause contact dermatitis.
A dermatologist can determine your dandruff’s cause and recommend treatments.
General Dandruff Treatment
A doctor can give a tailored treatment plan after examining your scalp to get a more individualized treatment plan. However, the following strategies can help treat dandruff:
- Hydrate – Drink more water. When in doubt, always drink more water.
- Rinse with cold water – While hot showers can be great, exposing the skin on your scalp to excessive heat will irritate the skin and dry it out.
- Find a dandruff shampoo – Cleansers containing pyrithione zinc, Ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and salicylic acid are all meant to treat dandruff.
- Condition – Those with especially oily hair may be wary of using conditioner, but your scalp needs moisture after you use shampoo. Skipping regular conditioning can exacerbate dry scalp. Take the extra step and condition.
Though not the sole cause, dandruff can affect scalp health and hair loss. Some people have a genetic predisposition to hair loss.
There are plenty of steps that you can take to reverse the appearance of hair loss. The team at Hairline Ink offers scalp micropigmentation services to fill in thinning spots, restore a receding hairline, or create a totally new look. We offer Scalp Micropigmentation in over 50 US cities. Call or text us today at 833-HAIR-INK (833-424-7465) to schedule an appointment, learn about our pricing, or get a free quote!
