In this fast-paced life, most of us tend to ignore our grooming needs - especially men. While skin-care awareness is at an all-time high, many people fail to recognize that the scalp is also a part of the skin. As a result, it necessitates the same level of pampering and care as facial skin.
Dandruff is a severe condition that wreaks havoc on the scalp and can also cause hair loss. Baldness can result from various factors, including hormonal changes and medical conditions. Hair loss is primarily seen in males, but it can also affect women. Hair loss is a natural process that varies from individual to individual. Some people may have gradual thinning, while others may have excessive hair loss suddenly.
Dandruff, if left untreated, can harm your hair follicles. The constant itching leads to scratching, which causes hair loss. In the sections below, we'll go over the entire relationship between dandruff and hair loss and how to stop hair fall in men.
What Is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a condition when your scalp flakes off tiny pieces of dead skin cells and a build-up of natural oils (sebum). It can occur at any age, but it is more common in adolescent boys and men between the age group of 30-50.
Dandruff is not a significant health issue, but it can cause a lot of embarrassment, especially when you have a presentation to give at work or an important meeting to attend or even some other social gathering.
Dandruff can be easily identified by the flaky, white, crusty-looking patches on your scalp and shoulders.
What Are The Reasons For Hair Fall?
Let’s first understand the difference between hair fall and hair loss. Hair grows in a cycle that includes growing, resting, and shedding. The last stage is regular hair fall, which is sometimes noticed in the volume of the hair. You should seek professional assistance if you have lost more than 50 to 100 strands.
Hair loss is caused by underlying factors such as hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental damage, which results in abnormal hair loss and scalp visibility/baldness. The types of hair loss vary according to gender and genetic makeup.
Hair fall is the most common problem faced by men, especially those in their 30s and 40s. It is a genetic condition that can be inherited from your parents. The hair follicles get naturally weaker with time, and hair fall affects you.
For many men, the hair loss problem begins when they lose their hair while they are still in their teens. It is normal to shed up to 100-150 strands of hair daily, but if the numbers are above that, you might have a hair fall problem.
Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?
Dandruff is a skin condition that causes white or yellow flakes to fall to the shoulders. Dandruff does not cause hair loss directly. The itching caused by dandruff affects the hair follicles, which can result in some hair loss. If you are experiencing excessive hair loss, you should seek medical attention.
Dandruff can aggravate hair loss in people with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness).
Conditions That Can Cause Both Dandruff And Hair Fall:
Identifying the underlying cause of dandruff can aid in diagnosing the problem and developing better solutions. The following are some of the most common causes of hair loss and dandruff in hair men.
Tinea Capitis
Ringworm or Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that causes itching, dry flakes, and hair loss.
Decalvans Folliculitis
The consequences are red, itchy patches. It is frequently mistaken for dandruff due to the flakes, which can be itchy. This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes hair follicle destruction.
Scalp Psoriasis
This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its own system. The scalp then experiences cell overgrowth. Psoriasis is distinguished by red, raised skin patches covered in silvery flakes.
Planopilaris Lichen
This causes a dry, flaky scalp rash and can cause hair clumps to fall out. It is more prevalent in women.
Other conditions that can cause dandruff alone include seborrheic dermatitis, fungi such as Malassezia, contact dermatitis, dry unmoisturized scalp, hormonal imbalance, and stress.
Other Causes Of Hair Fall And Dandruff In Men
There is no guarantee that people with dandruff and hair loss are related. Some people suffer from dandruff as a result of dry skin, as well as a hair loss condition such as:
Male pattern baldness is hair loss caused by hormones that can affect both men and women. Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss caused by an infection, injury, or stress.
Conditions like scarring or inflammation of the scalp or scalp infections can also lead to hair loss and dandruff in men.
The food that you consume is the main reason for hair fall. A diet low in protein and Vitamin B can lead to hair fall. Both men and women suffer from stress, but men are more prone to stress-related problems, which can also trigger hair fall.
If your parents have a history of hair fall, you will also be more prone to this problem. Excessive use of hair products can damage the hair strands and result in hair fall. Using hair colourants or bleach on the roots can kill healthy cells and promote the loss of tresses.
Health issues like thyroid problems, iron deficiency, and poor blood circulation can also trigger hair fall.
How To Prevent Hair Fall In Men Due To Dandruff?
The goal of preventing dandruff-related hair loss is to reduce itching to the greatest extent possible. This will reduce scratching while also protecting your hair follicles from further damage.
Shampoo With Medicinal Properties
If you haven't already, use a medicated shampoo for dandruff. Look for products that contain any of the following ingredients:
- Selenium sulphide
- Pyrinthione zinc
- Salicylic acid
- Ketoconazole
Search for anti-dandruff shampoos that contain these ingredients. If you have mild dandruff, you may only need to use medicated shampoo for a few weeks.
If you have light-coloured hair, avoid selenium sulphide, which can discolour it.
Control Your Stress Level
Although stress does not directly cause dandruff, it can weaken your immune system over time. It can make your scalp more susceptible to the naturally occurring Malassezia fungus.
Yoga and meditation, for example, can help you manage your stress. It can be helpful to take even a brief block-long walk or practice controlled breathing for a few minutes.
Use Irritants Sparingly
If you think fragrance shampoo is helping you smell fresh, think again. Preservatives and fragrances are common causes of contact dermatitis on the scalp. Hair dye and other hair products frequently contain irritating ingredients for sensitive skin.
The following are examples of potentially irritating ingredients found in hair products:
- Detergents
- Formaldehyde
- Artificial or natural fragrance
- Bleach
Some people use products for years before noticing any reaction. Even if you've been using the same hair products for a long time without incident, change things up if you see dandruff.
Add Necessary Hydration
Whatever the cause of your dandruff, hydrating your scalp with conditioner is critical. This is especially true when using medicated shampoos, especially those that contain salicylic acid. These can dry your scalp when used regularly.
For added benefit, massage coconut oil into your scalp and then rinse it. In addition to being moisturizing, coconut oil has antifungal properties. A 2015 study found that it had antifungal activity comparable to ketoconazole, a common anti-dandruff shampoo ingredient.
Avoid using oils on your scalp if you suspect you have seborrheic dermatitis. Extra lubricant can sometimes make this condition worse.
Vitamin Sun
Experts claim that while ultraviolet rays speed up ageing and raise the risk of skin cancer, a small amount of sunlight might help with dandruff. Wear sunscreen on your face and body if you plan to be outside.
How To Get Rid Of Dandruff For Men With Natural Remedies.
Even though home remedies for dandruff hair loss are not scientifically proven, people have found them beneficial.
If your scalp is sensitive to chemicals, use herbal shampoos with anti-dandruff and hair-loss properties. Look for ingredients such as
- Neem
- Aloe vera gel
- Reetha
- Bhringraj
- Turmeric
- Rosemary essential oil
- Mint
- Amla
- Tulsi
- Tea tree essential oil
- Extracts of lemon
Invest in a good water filter. Due to the consumption of packaged products and beverages so readily available in the market, we tend to drink a lot of sugary drinks. Such drinks are nasty for your skin and hair as they dehydrate your body. So, it is better to drink a lot of water.
Apply Aloe Vera gel on your scalp. Aloe vera is an excellent remedy for hair fall. It moisturizes your hair and has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce hair fall.
Eat healthy and clean. A healthy diet is one of the best remedies for hair fall. A healthy diet with lots of proteins, iron, and vitamins will help you maintain a healthy scalp.
Include turmeric in your food as it is a natural anti-inflammatory agent which helps in reducing hair fall.
Massage your scalp with coconut oil. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps stimulate blood flow in the scalp, which is essential for hair growth. Avoid using oil on your scalp if you feel itchiness or see red patches since oil can sometimes aggravate dandruff in men.
Make sure your body is well rested. Sleep heals your body and de-stresses your system. It repairs all your body's cells, including those in your hair. Remember to sleep at least 7 to 8 hours a day.
Takeaway
If you are facing dandruff or hair loss, it is vital to maintain a clean and healthy scalp. At the same time, keeping it hydrated can aid in lessening the dry flakes and patched. Men, especially those in their 30s and 40s, should care for their hair and skin.
If you still cannot notice a significant change in your skin and hair, we recommend taking a FREE hair test at Traya. This online hair test can help identify your hair issues.
Our professional doctors and experts are backed by years of experience and science. They can help you identify the root cause and provide a personal prescription. We also offer a health coach for you to stay on track. Consult us today for a better hair growth journey.
FAQs
Q1 - How Can I Stop Dandruff And Hair Loss In Men?
Ans - There are many anti-dandruff shampoos for men in India to prevent hair loss and dandruff in men. You can also try a medicated shampoo with one of these chemicals in it: Ketoconazole, Salicylic acid, Pyrinthione zinc, Selenium sulfide
It will control your itch to scratch, thus protecting hair follicles against further damage.
Q2 - Does Dandruff Cause Hair Fall?
Ans - Dandruff does not directly cause hair fall. However, constant itching and scratching can weaken the follicles' health, which can promote hair fall.
Q3 - How To Treat Hair Loss And Dandruff
Ans - There are many ways you can treat hair loss and dandruff. However, the best way is to identify the problem and get the correct diagnosis. Take a hair test at Traya health to understand your hair issue better.
Q4 - How To Reduce Hair Fall And Dandruff Naturally
Ans - Massage your scalp with coconut oil. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.. It helps stimulate blood flow in the scalp, which is essential for hair growth. Avoid using oil on your scalp if you feel itchiness or see red patches since oil can sometimes aggravate dandruff in hair men.
Q5 - How Can I Reduce My Hair Fall And Dandruff
Ans - You can reduce hair fall and dandruff by trying a combination of science and home remedies. Use medicated shampoos made specially to target dandruff and hair loss. You can also use herbal shampoos with neem, aloe vera, reetha, bhringraj, etc.
Q6 - How To Reduce Hair Fall And Dandruff
Ans - To reduce hair fall and dandruff, aim to calm down the itchiness and redness of the scalp. This will give your hair follicles a place to grow and strengthen. You can also try fixing your lifestyle and introducing a balanced diet into your routine. Exercise can help too.
References
aad.org/public/diseases/hair-and-scalp-problems/dandruff-how-to-treat
