Can dandruff lead to thinning hair?

Author: Reece Stark  |  Last update: Monday, August 18, 2025

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.

Will hair loss due to dandruff grow back?

While the hair will often grow back, the strands can sometimes get thinner if the scratching continues and the condition is left untreated. In severe cases, skin scarred by relentless scratching can permanently damage follicles, resulting in thinning or bald patches.

Can hair grow back after thinning?

You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.

How do you get rid of dandruff and thinning hair?

You can take steps to reduce your risk of developing dandruff or to control it:
  1. Learn to manage stress. ...
  2. Eat a healthy diet. ...
  3. Develop a hair and scalp care routine that suits you. ...
  4. Get a little sun. ...
  5. Limit hair-styling products.

How often should I wash my hair if I have dandruff?

If you have fine or naturally straight hair, or an oily scalp, wash your hair often. For example, you may need to shampoo daily and use your dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have coarse or naturally curly or coily hair, wash your hair when needed, and use your dandruff shampoo about once a week, if tolerated.

Does Dandruff Scalp Cause Hair Loss? Treatment For Dry Itchy Scalp

Does hair loss from dry scalp grow back?

Does hair loss from a dry scalp grow back? Once your scalp problems are properly treated and your dry scalp is regularly moisturised and provided with a proper care regimen, the hair loss may resolve itself and your locks could look happy and healthy once more.

Can thin hair become thick again?

Yes, absolutely! Stress, excessive heat styling, age and even genetics can deplete your hair's thickness. Keeping your scalp and roots healthy is how you can promote the growth of thick hair. You can do the same by oiling regularly, refraining from wearing tight hairstyles and following a nourishing hair care routine.

What does stress hair loss look like?

No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.

Will dandruff stop if I go bald?

Did you know bald heads don't get dandruff? It's true! If you're bald and scratching your head in puzzlement staring at the flakes on your scalp, read on. You might see flakes on your skin, like when you get sunburnt and dried skin peels or flakes, but this isn't dandruff.

Which hair loss is permanent?

Cicatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, is a rare type of hair loss in which inflammation destroys hair follicles and causes scar tissue to form in their place. After scar tissue forms, hair doesn't regrow.

Is it bad to scratch your scalp?

It's important to remember that while scratching brings temporary relief, it only harms your scalp and hair. Scratching your scalp for long periods of time can damage your hair strands. The outside of each hair strand is covered in cuticlescales, somewhat like scales on a fish.

Is hair loss due to dandruff reversible?

Dandruff hair loss is usually temporary and once you've taken care of the underlying dandruff problem, you shouldn't have any issues. If it still doesn't work, then you should consult a doctor for further clarity.

What is causing my hair to thin?

It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp.

Does dandruff mean unhealthy hair?

Moreover, if you have an itchy scalp as a result of your dandruff then scratching could further damage the hair, causing split ends and breakage more easily. So if you have dandruff, while your hair may grow at the same rate, the hair that grows is likely to be less healthy and more prone to damage and breakage.

How often should you wash your hair?

Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.

Do scalp massages really work?

The bottom line. A soothing scalp massage may do more than just make you relaxed — it may also help stimulate hair growth or thickness. So far, limited research shows that scalp massages may promote blood flow to the scalp and encourage longer, thicker strands. But there's a need for more evidence.

Why is my hair so thin I can see my scalp?

A visible scalp through your hair can be a sign that it's thinning (but not always). The factors that contribute to thinning hair (and thus a visible scalp) include stress, diet, vitamin deficiency and ageing.

What is the best shampoo for thinning hair?

Top shampoos for thinning hair, at a glance
  • Best Overall: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $15.
  • Best for Thickening: Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo, $44.
  • Best for Damaged Hair: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo, $38.
  • Best for Volume: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo, $37.

Can hair thinning be reversed?

Thinning of hair isn't always permanent. With proper care, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medical intervention, it's possible to reverse or slow down hair thinning and promote regrowth.

Can dandruff block hair growth?

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.

What does thyroid hair loss look like?

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.

Are head and shoulders bad for thinning hair?

The bottom line. Head and Shoulders is a brand of hair care products that help alleviate dandruff. These anti-dandruff products are not considered bad for your hair. And there is very little evidence to show that they cause hair damage or hair loss — especially at over the counter (OTC) strengths.

Previous article
Which type of smile is rarest?
Next article
Is hair dye more damaging than toner?