Will Dandruff Stop Hair Growth?

Will Dandruff Stop Hair Growth?

Dandruff is a common scalp condition characterised by flakes of dead skin and sometimes itching or irritation. Any time your scalp has issues, it is easy to worry about how this might impact hair growth, and what will happen to your existing hair.

Does Dandruff Directly Stop Hair Growth?

Dandruff itself does not stop hair follicles from producing new hairs. Hair growth is a cyclical process governed by genetics, hormones, and overall health. The presence of flakes on the scalp doesn’t directly halt this process.

However, dandruff is often associated with inflammation, itchiness, and scratching, which can indirectly impact hair health:

  • Inflammation: Conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis can cause chronic inflammation that may weaken the scalp’s barrier and potentially stress hair follicles.
  • Scratching: Persistent scratching can damage the scalp and hair shafts, leading to breakage or even localised thinning.

How Dandruff Can Contribute to Hair Loss

While dandruff doesn’t cause true hair loss (where follicles stop producing hair), it can be linked to increased hair shedding in some cases. Reasons include:

  • Scalp irritation making hairs more likely to fall out before their normal shedding cycle.
  • Secondary infections from broken skin due to scratching.
  • Reduced scalp health overall, creating a less optimal environment for hair growth.

Managing dandruff effectively is therefore important—not only for comfort and confidence but to maintain a healthy scalp environment for hair growth.

dandruff hidden in the sand

What Causes Dandruff?

Common causes include:

  • Overgrowth of Malassezia, a naturally occurring yeast on the scalp.
  • Dry skin.
  • Oily skin and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
  • Contact dermatitis from hair products.

How to Treat Dandruff

Effective treatments include:

  • Anti-dandruff shampoos containing ingredients such as piroctone olamine, ketoconazole, or selenium sulphide.
  • Gentle cleansing to reduce oil and build up.
  • Avoiding harsh styling products that can irritate the scalp.

For persistent or severe dandruff, a consultation with a GP or dermatologist is recommended. In the UK and EU, medicated shampoos are available over the counter or via prescription, depending on strength.

Will dandruff make my hair fall out?

Dandruff doesn’t directly stop hair growth at the follicle level. But if left untreated, it can create an unhealthy scalp environment, increase shedding, and contribute to hair breakage or thinning. Managing dandruff with appropriate treatments helps maintain scalp health and support normal hair growth.

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