Dandruff does not cause permanent baldness, but it can contribute to temporary hair loss when there is inflammation or irritation of the scalp. In certain cases, conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis—linked to the proliferation of the Malassezia fungus—can affect hair health and trigger telogen effluvium, a type of diffuse and reversible hair loss.
In this article of Hospital Capilar We explain what dandruff is, why it occurs, and how it can influence hair loss.
La dandruff It is an alteration where the desquamation of the scalp occurs, which in turn generates the accumulation of whitish scales throughout the hair. This generates inflammation and redness in the area, as well as symptoms such as itching, stinging, and burning.
This condition can also occur in other areas of the body such as eyebrows, beard, trunk and retro-articular area. For different reasons, the skin generates an increase in sebum secretion, which alters the skin microbiota. This causes a fungus called malassezia, which is responsible for the appearance of dandruff on the scalp. The skin naturally renews cells and sheds old ones; however, when Malassezia proliferates very rapidly, dead scalp cells accumulate and form whitish flakes.
Normally dandruff develops due to hormonal changes, stress or poor hygiene. The genetic predisposition of the person to suffer from it also plays an important role, in addition to some immunological alterations that favor the appearance of dandruff on the scalp.
Not all flaking is the same, nor does it have the same impact on hair health. Identifying whether we're dealing with dry flaking or flaking related to excess sebum is vital to determining the risk of hair loss. The main difference lies in the condition of the skin and the presence of inflammation, key factors in determining whether the hair follicle may be compromised.
Dandruff accumulates on the scalp in the form of whitish flakes. This makes it common to think that dandruff causes hair loss, although it is not entirely true.
It cannot be said that dandruff causes hair loss as such, since, according to the doctors from Hospital Capilar, It is not identified as the origin of a alopecia. It is true that there is a relationship between seborrhea and alopecia, since excess oil on the scalp prevents hair follicles from functioning properly. Furthermore, the symptoms that accompany dandruff, such as itching or burning, lead to excessive and intense scratching, thus damaging the hair follicles and potentially causing hair loss.
In any case, It is not true that dandruff causes hair loss nor is it the origin of alopecia. In episodes of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis more serious can cause the weakening of the hair and its subsequent loss, but normally the hair will grow back since follicular damage occurs, as it does with the androgenetic alopecia, the most common of all.
It is important to take care of your hair and go to a specialist if you have an acute episode of dandruff or suffer from it repeatedly, mainly to keep your scalp and hair healthy.
Although dandruff isn't identified as a direct cause of baldness, it can certainly worsen hair loss conditions like androgenic alopecia or trigger telogen effluvium. Maintaining a healthy scalp is the best way to prevent flaking and keep it from affecting your hair health.
To achieve this, our medical team recommends following these hygiene and care guidelines:
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Unlike dandruff, there are factors that cause unusual hair loss. It must be taken into account that hair falls daily, around 100 hairs a day, and this is normal. The hair has its own Lifecycle where it is born, grows and ends up detaching itself in its telogen phase. Under normal circumstances, hair that falls out grows back and begins another life cycle. When hair loss is more intense, we notice more hair on brushes or pillows, and it's also accompanied by a loss of density; it may be due to one of these reasons.
A hormonal imbalance is usually the most common cause when the hair that falls does not come out again and, consequently, accompanies hairless areas such as receding or crown, or the wider stripe in the case of women. In these cases we are before a androgenic alopecia, which affects both men and women and is important to treat under the care of medical professionals in specialized hair clinics, since It is non-reversible hair loss.
When we experience strong episodes of Stress, The increase in the body's cortisol levels causes what is known as telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss is usually reversible, meaning the hair that falls out will grow back. However, if the hair loss is excessive or accompanied by a loss of density, we can use hair treatments to address the issue as soon as possible.
Nutritional deficiencies are also another factor that promotes hair loss. Hair follicles need a series of nutrients to function properly and, when there is a lack of any of them, they can weaken and generate telogen effluvium. The crash in these cases is solved once the base power problem has been solved.
There are some types of alopecia that occur due to autoimmune diseases, such as the example of alopecia areata. In these cases, the person's own immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing their destruction. In these cases, the hair loss is irreversible, and the hair that falls out will not usually grow back.
Once scalp health has stabilized, there are medical hair treatments A highly effective product designed to stop hair loss. Among the most popular is the hair mesotherapy or Platelet Rich Plasma, which are aimed at improving hair quality, promoting hair growth, and treating alopecia.
In cases where hair loss does not grow back, the only way to restore hair density is with [treatment/treatment]. FUE hair transplant. It is important to note that the scalp layer is not an impediment to performing a hair transplant, although it is essential to treat the inflammation beforehand and stabilize the scalp before the procedure so that the scalp is in optimal condition.
En Hospital CapilarWith clinics in Madrid, Murcia and Pontevedra, we have an expert team that will assess your case in a personalized way to put an end to alopecia through the most advanced treatments in the sector.
Dandruff doesn't directly cause hair loss, but it can contribute to temporary hair loss or trigger telogen effluvium. This occurs when there is inflammation, irritation, or seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp; factors that, combined with constant scratching, can weaken the hair follicle and disrupt the normal growth cycle.
Yes, in most cases hair grows back once dandruff is controlled and the scalp stabilizes. Since this type of hair loss is caused by inflammation or telogen effluvium, the follicle remains alive and functional. Once the appropriate treatment is applied to restore the scalp's balance, the hair resumes its normal life cycle and grows back naturally.
Oily dandruff (pityriasis steatoidea) is the type that can most significantly affect hair health. Unlike dry dandruff, this condition is often accompanied by inflammation, excess sebum, and the proliferation of the Malassezia fungus, factors that can clog pores and promote the development of seborrheic dermatitis. This harsh environment weakens the hair follicle more severely, increasing the risk of visible, persistent, and diffuse hair loss.
En Hospital Capilar You will be able to obtain your free medical diagnosis from expert professionals in hair medicine. Stop hair loss and combat alopecia with effective treatments.