Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, affects roughly half the adult population. Though it can affect other parts of your body, it primarily causes dry, scaly skin on your scalp resulting in dead skin falling off in flakes, commonly referred to as dandruff. While you may have known all of that already, what you might not have known is that it could lead to hair loss.
Does Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?
It is highly unlikely that you would experience hair loss as a direct result of having dandruff. However, it could be a side effect of having an itchy scalp. Excessive itching and scratching in response could damage your hair follicles in the area which can cause hair loss in the affected areas.
If you are affected by androgenic alopecia, also known as male- or female-pattern baldness, dandruff could end up expediting the related hair loss for the same reasons as above.
Do Dandruff Shampoos Cause Hair Loss?
While a medicated shampoo might not necessarily cause hair loss, if you have a mild case of dandruff you will only want to use that medicated shampoo for a few weeks. You’ll want to look for shampoos with ingredients including pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, and selenium sulfide. For light-colored hair, avoid sulfide as it can cause noticeable discoloration.
Some shampoos like Head & Shoulders have done their own studies of their products that have shown results, including no hair loss related to dandruff in participants that used their shampoo. Relieving the itchy sensations likely resulted in less scratching, thereby avoiding damage to the hair follicles, which allows the hair to grow in stronger.
Will Hair Loss from Dandruff Grow Back?
It’s possible, but you should be acting promptly to prevent hair loss if you can. At the first sign of dandruff, try using a medicated shampoo. If you don’t see any results or your condition worsens over a couple of weeks, consult a medical professional. It’s possible you may have a skin infection or something more serious that requires different treatment.
Consult with The Experts at RHRLI to Explore Your Hair Restoration Options
Have you lost hair as a result of a dry, damaged scalp? Has dandruff resulted in exacerbating your male- or female-pattern baldness? The experts at Robotic Hair Restoration Long Island are here for you. Although we’re well known for the ARTAS Robotic FUE Hair Restoration System, depending on the severity of the associated hair loss you may be able to utilize our non-surgical options. Contact us today to see how we can help.