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.
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.
Unfortunately, in most cases, an itchy scalp doesn't mean hair growth. In fact, an itchy scalp is more commonly linked with hair loss and scalp problems. But there are dozens of potential causes of an itchy scalp according to the NHS.
The itching and scratching caused by dandruff compounds the problem- it can easily lead to weaker hair that breaks, leaving you with thin-looking 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.
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.
Dandruff may have several causes, including: Irritated, oily skin. Dry skin. A yeastlike fungus (malassezia) that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults.
Also, it's easier to distribute natural oils from the scalp through shorter strands, helping to keep hair naturally moisturized and lustrous. Short hair can be especially practical for men, reducing issues like dandruff and scalp oiliness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dandruff doesn't necessarily slow down hair growth, but the hair that grows will probably be less healthy and more prone to damage and breakage.
For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn't help, try a medicated dandruff shampoo. Some people can tolerate using a medicated shampoo two to three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if needed.
However, due to the natural structure of waves, curls, and coils, textured hair types are more prone to experiencing dryness and 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.
Not only does your scalp have a plethora of sweat glands, but it also has an abundance of sebaceous (oil) glands, which produce oily sebum. Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells.
The bottom line
Dandruff triggers include dry weather, stress, and hair products. But by far the most common trigger for dandruff is Malassezia overgrowth on the scalp. Most of the time, you can prevent dandruff with regular use of medicated shampoos and by avoiding triggers.
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.