Dandruff and Hair Loss

Hair Restoration

Dandruff is a common scalp condition that causes your skin to flake off. There are many factors that can cause dandruff, including dry skin, sensitivity to hair products and shampooing infrequently. Although dandruff isn’t a serious condition, it can be embarrassing. Dandruff can also be a contributing factor to hair loss. Here’s how the two relate:

What Is the Connection Between Dandruff and Hair Loss?

While dandruff doesn’t directly cause hair loss, it can increase your risk of it. Dandruff can cause your scalp to become extremely itchy, causing you to scratch it frequently. If you scratch your scalp constantly, it can irritate it and weaken your hair follicles. You may notice more hair shedding than normal. The good news is that this problem is usually temporary and your hair will likely grow back.

How Do You Treat Dandruff?

There are many treatments available for dandruff out there, such as:

  • Use a Medicated Shampoo: If you have dandruff, you may need to switch your shampoo for a while. There are several shampoos you can get at the drugstore that are specifically designed to treat dandruff. They should contain either salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or pyrithioxine zinc.
  • Don’t Use Products That Irritate Your Scalp: When you have dandruff, it’s important for you to avoid products that may irritate your scalp even more. For example, you may want to avoid shampoos with heavy fragrances and bleaching your hair.
  • Take Care of Your Stress: Prolonged stress can weaken your immune system over time, causing your scalp to be more sensitive to malassezia fungus. This fungus can aggravate your scalp and cause extra skin cells to grow, increasing your risk of dandruff.
  • Get Some Sun: While too much sunlight can increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging, a little bit of it may actually be good for your dandruff. Before you head outside, remember to apply sunscreen to your body.
  • Use Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is completely natural and may improve your dandruff. This oil can help prevent further dryness, which can make your dandruff worse.
  • Increase Your Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids can benefit your body in many ways, including improving your skin health. They manage oil production and prevent premature aging. If you don’t have enough omega-3’s in your diet, you may experience dry skin and dandruff. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, olive oil, and flaxseed.

Are You Still Troubled By Hair Loss?

If you still have hair loss even after treating your dandruff, you may want to consider a hair transplant. During this procedure, a surgeon will take hair from other parts of your body and implant it into your scalp. It produces natural-looking results and can increase your self-confidence. 

Schedule a consultation with a hair transplant doctor today to find out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.

Resources:

Wikipedia, Hair Treatment

Dr. Robin Unger, MD, Hair Restoration NYC