Finding those dusty flakes on a black top can fill people with a sense of dread and make them self-conscious. But add hair loss to that and it can simply destroy a person’s confidence. However, are they connected and can dandruff cause hair fall?
The easy answer to this question is that dandruff cannot be the reason behind your hair fall. But it doesn’t mean that there is absolutely no link between dandruff and hair fall. To understand this, we must first understand dandruff.
What is Dandruff?
This ailment is extremely prevalent and affects almost half of the world. The causes of dandruff in hair are excessive oil build-up and a naturally occurring fungus known as Malassezia Globosa.
Your scalp has numerous sebaceous glands which secrete oil or sebum, that is aimed at protecting your head from harm. But sometimes this oil can build up on your scalp, either due to overproduction or a lack of cleansing. This is when the dandruff-causing fungus becomes active.
The fungus is why dandruff occurs in hair, as it breaks down the excess oil into fatty acids. If you’re sensitive to this by-product, your body is triggered into severe scalp itching, redness and white-yellow flakes of dead skin cells. This is how and why dandruff comes to your scalp.
What About Hair Fall Due to Dandruff?
If you’re wondering does dandruff causes hair loss, we’ve seen no direct evidence to this conclusion. But if you’re suffering from dandruff, there are additional problems occurring on your scalp, which can reinforce the belief that it is possible to have hair fall due to dandruff.
Dandruff has a tendency to irritate your scalp, which can invariably damage your hair strands. Hair found on dandruff-prone scalps might have more cuticle damage as compared to a normal scalp. When taken in combination with other underlying symptoms of dandruff, this might make you wonder – can dandruff cause hair fall:
- Clogged hair follicles and pores– Dirt and pollutants can lead to folliculitis which can lead to weaker roots and dislodge your hair strands much faster.
- Inflammation– This can weaken your hair strands and increase hair fall. Inflammation might occur with dandruff.
- Scratching – People generally don’t consider this, but it’s an important reason for thinking that dandruff causes hair fall. Scratching can damage your scalp and cause scarring, which can lead to temporary hair loss. The main reason is that your scalp does not have a strong hold on the hair roots, which allows for more hair fall.
- Flaking– This is a response by your body to get rid of a perceived irritant, which is in the form of a build-up of dead skin cells. This can also weaken your hair strands and be a reason for wondering – does dandruff cause hair loss?
How should you handle dandruff?
Shedding of your hair is normal, as the human body sheds 50-100 hair strands every day. Hair fall from a dandruff-affected scalp is usually temporary and managing your dandruff should help reduce any unintended effects. Try the following dandruff solutions:
- Hair care– If you take care of your hair and scalp, they’ll take care of you. It is important to wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoos that can fight dandruff-causing germs and clean your scalp of any excess oil build-up. Use products like the Head and Shoulders Neem, which protects from dandruff, germs and bacteria.
- Aloe vera– You might have seen this in drinks, soaps, and creams, but aloe vera can also be used for dandruff control. It can soothe any form of itching, get rid of oil build-up, and have an antifungal effect. Apply directly or create a hair mask.
- Tea tree oil– This essential oil has strong anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the impact of dandruff. It can potentially regulate the amount of oil on your scalp and soothe any irritated skin. Add a few drops to your shampoo before washing.
- Neem – Nature’s best cure is neem for dandruff. Neem contains anti-fungal properties that can work on your dandruff-causing germs. You can either create a paste, boil neem in water or buy neem oil.
- Lemon juice– Another home remedy for dandruff, lemon juice can break any excessive oil build-up and regulate the pH levels on your scalp. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that can attack the fungus. You can either apply diluted lemon juice or create a hair mask.
- Change your lifestyle– Eat healthier, exercise more, and reduce your stress levels. All of these can directly impact your body’s constitution and help regulate the oil secretions. Understand what your body needs and ensure that you provide it.
Dandruff is not a cause for worry nor does dandruff cause hair fall. It’s an ailment that is found across the world and has various solutions for it. However, it’s important to visit a dermatologist if you feel that your symptoms are not reducing. Or use a clinically proven anti-dandruff shampoo that reduces hairfall like the Head and Shoulders Anti-hairfall, which leaves you upto 100% dandruff free.
