Relationship Between Dandruff and Hair Loss: Causes, Prevention Methods, and Treatment Options
Dandruff is a common hair and scalp-related problem that makes a person feel uncomfortable during close social interactions. Hypothetically, dandruff is one of the causes of hair loss. Several brands of medicines are available in the market bearing labels as effective remedies for both hair loss as well as dandruff. Our objective is to investigate and explore the relationship between dandruff and hair loss. Many of the causes of dandruff are common with hair loss, as explained below. This makes it difficult for scientists to point out which relationship needs the greatest degree of focus to prevent the two entities simultaneously. Although dandruff can be prevented by using shampoos known as anti-dandruff shampoos, it is silent on the cure of hair loss.
Dandruff is caused by Malassezia species. They degrade the sebum secreted by the sebaceous gland in the scalp to oleic acid. Oleic acid has an unpleasant odor, which is inconvenient for close social interaction. In addition, oleic acid breaks cuticle protein, which weakens hair proteins. Dandruff is primarily due to overactivity of the sebaceous glands. On one hand, sebum, which can make hair oily, requires fatty acids for functioning each hair follicle. Malassezia produces fatty acids by consuming sebum. However, a large quantity of fatty acids increases the integrity of adhesive proteins and thus leads to the breakdown of the stratum corneum. This is because the rate of keratinocytes detachment, propelled by fatty acids, exceeds the rate of cell division.
Causes of Dandruff and Hair Loss
Dandruff and hair loss are two very common problems that a lot of people experience. These problems may be a result of several different factors, ranging from genetics to the products you use to support your skin and hair. Doctors and scientists have not yet found a definite cure for these conditions, as they are influenced by a wide range of factors.
Dandruff is primarily a skin condition in which the layer of skin on the head begins to die too quickly, resulting in small flakes that then flake off. It may be triggered by a range of factors, including eczema, psoriasis, or a fungus called Malassezia that grows in oily areas of the body. Hair loss, on the other hand, may have many causes, including hormonal influences, genetics, medical conditions, or simply the aging process. It is generally not linked with dandruff.
There are a few measures you may take to limit dandruff and hair loss, but the basic rules are to maintain good hair and skin health and avoid stress.
Although it is not certain why dandruff occurs, some common causes include oily skin and skin that is particularly sensitive to a fungus. Issues like eczema, psoriasis, or stress might make a person more prone to developing dandruff. These factors can trigger the skin layer to produce more skin cells than normal.
There are some hypotheses on what may contribute to hair loss in some instances, but the same thing holds. Hair loss seems to be most commonly caused by a hereditary predisposition, which means that you might be more likely to get it if your relatives have it. If you are more vulnerable to hair loss, some hormones in your body could cause your hair follicles to shrink, or you might respond more to the hormones in general. Thus, the most common type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which is primarily genetic.
Prevention Methods
Although it may not always be possible to completely prevent dandruff or hair loss, there are a variety of prevention methods that have proven effective in many individuals. It is highly advised that interventions are made as soon as hair loss or stubborn dandruff appears, since the earlier treatment can be started, the better the chances of a favorable outcome. Preventive measures aim to address the root causes of dandruff and hair loss, and can include lifestyle and environmental changes as well as certain dietary modifications. For those looking to reduce their risk of developing dandruff, it is important to wash hair regularly and to expose the skin to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light.
When it comes to prevention strategies, they are much the same whether aimed at hair loss or dandruff. Some of the most effective treatments for prevention include maintaining good hygiene, ensuring adequate intake of key nutrients such as zinc, Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, reducing stress through activities such as yoga or meditation, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals or coloring, avoiding heat treatments such as blow drying, curling and straightening, avoiding the use of tight hair accessories, brushing the hair every day to stimulate the scalp and increase circulation, avoiding or seeking treatment for lice. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with particular attention paid to diet, in order to reduce one’s likelihood of developing these conditions. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the most effective way to prevent hair loss or the development of dandruff is to catch it early and to start treatment promptly, as this can reduce the chances of severe complications. Regular maintenance and consistent treatment can be essential in preventing dandruff and all associated symptoms.
Treatment Options
The mode and approach taken in the treatment of both dandruff and hair loss differ. Medicinally, dandruff can be addressed using antifungal agents to combat the presence of the dandruff-causing yeast. Anti-inflammatories can also be employed for more severe or stubborn dandruff. Therapeutically, it could be better managed with regular hair washing. Changing some choices about hair products may also diminish dandruff’s visual appearance. Various methods exist for treating hair loss, including special shampoos and hair products that do not require a prescription. Some drugs are also effective via prescription. In particular, current medications are designed to target the cause of hair loss in the body. Many shampoos and treatments are designed to encourage hair growth, which can help restore hair loss.
Medicinal treatments can include the use of corticosteroids for treating seborrheic dermatitis or etc. One more active ingredient is ketoconazole, which can also be used to handle dandruff despite being focal. Anti-inflammatories may also be used as a single ingredient. Only in the presence of the following comorbidities can hair loss be treated with systemic medications: allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. In these instances, lifestyle alterations may be an effective therapy choice. It may be beneficial to follow basic hygiene instructions. It may be better managed with regular hair washing, especially for dandruff. As harsh chemicals may exacerbate dandruff, gentle cleansers may be beneficial. In most cases, lifestyle alterations will not cure hair pressing, but they may help prevent recurrence, according to the researchers.
Conclusion and Future Research Directions
Dandruff (also known as scurf or Pityriasis capitis) is the expulsion of skin in the scalp that ends up landing on the shoulders due to the progressive breakdown of eumelanin. Although it is considered harmless, boys and girls experience various physical, psychological, and aesthetic discomfort before the presence of dander, which leads them to change their social behavior. In adults, people who suffer from dandruff consider it unattractive when they see it, causing them to experience psychological discomfort and physical violence. Some people may connect individual hair loss with dandruff, believing that scalp flaking causes blockage in the hair follicle, leading to hair loss. Although there have not been any interventional studies or laboratory tests to support this hypothesis, it is crucial to address the potential link between dandruff and hair loss.
In summary, literature searched for this review showed conflicting results among different studies on the relationship between dandruff and scalp hair shedding, probably due to small sample sizes, lack of control groups, use of visual grading for scalp hair shedding, lack of consistency regarding dandruff scales clinical diagnosis, and methods used to assess scalp hair shedding. Therefore, it is important to further investigate in future well-designed studies focused on: disease improvement evaluation, mild patients with scalp hair shedding, larger sample sizes, longer study durations, inclusion of women in the investigation, use of standardized terms for severity dermite diagnosis, a combination of proper clinical and instrumental methods for the evaluation and quantification of shedding, updating revised international, and diagnosis of androgenic alopecia through standardized dermatoscopy.