Can Dandruff Cause Hair Fall? Here's What You Should Know!
Dandruff, medically known as pityriasis capitis, affects nearly 50% of the global population, and up to 60.1% in South Asia, according to a study conducted among medical students. While dandruff doesn’t directly cause hair fall, it can create an unhealthy scalp environment that weakens hair roots and increases hair shedding over time. If you’ve wondered, “Does dandruff cause hair fall?”, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. In this blog, we’ll explain how dandruff contributes to hair fall, what signs to watch out for, and how to treat both before the problem worsens.
So, what’s the real link between dandruff and hair fall?
Think of dandruff-related hair fall as a chain reaction.
- Malassezia overgrowth Dandruff is closely linked to Malassezia, a fungus that naturally lives on your scalp. In some people, it breaks down sebum (scalp oil) and produces irritating by-products.
- Scalp inflammation kicks in These by-products trigger inflammation in sensitive scalps, making the scalp red, itchy, and flaky.
- Hair follicles start to weaken Ongoing inflammation damages the hair follicles. This weakens the structure that holds your hair in place and can lead to premature shedding.
- Oxidative stress increases The irritated scalp also suffers from oxidative stress, damage caused by unstable molecules. This accelerates the aging of key hair-growing cells (dermal papilla), disrupting the normal hair growth cycle.
- Scratching makes it worse That itchy feeling, It’s hard to resist, but scratching causes physical damage to the scalp and follicles, making it easier for hair to fall out.
- Existing hair loss conditions worsen If you already have pattern hair loss (like androgenetic alopecia, aka male or female pattern baldness), dandruff can speed up the shedding. Studies have shown increased hair fall (with up to 100-300 hairs shed in dandruff sufferers, compared to 50-100 in normal subjects) when dandruff is left untreated in such cases.
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What else could be causing your hair to fall out?
Not all hair falls are caused by dandruff. Understand some common causes of hair fall and how they differ.
| Cause | How does it affect your hair |
|---|---|
| Stress | Triggers hair to enter the shedding phase early. Over half (73.8%) of study participants reported stress-related hair-loss. |
| Hormonal changes | Hair cycles can often become disrupted after pregnancy or during menopause. In a Newson Health poll of nearly 6,000 women, 50% of respondents reported they had noticed thinning hair, and 39% faced hair loss. |
| Poor nutrition | Lack of protein, iron, or vitamins weakens hair from the root. In a study, 25.2% of participants cited poor diet as the reason for hair loss. |
| Tight hairstyles | Constant pulling can damage follicles and cause traction alopecia. |
How to tell if dandruff is behind your hair fall
With several reasons for hair fall, if you observe these signs, dandruff could be the reason:
- Persistent itching on the scalp, especially after sweating.
- White or yellow flakes on your scalp, shoulders, or hairbrush.
- Redness or inflammation on the scalp surface.
- Hair shedding increases after scratching.
- Oily or greasy scalp that feels irritated or unclean quickly.
- Flakes around the hairline or behind the ears, not just on the top.
Try these tips to treat dandruff and protect your hair
Consistency is key if your goal is to reduce dandruff and prevent hair fall. Here’s how you can care for your scalp the right way:
- Wash regularly with an anti-dandruff shampoo Regular cleansing helps remove excess oil, flakes, and fungal buildup that trigger irritation. A scalp treatment for dandruff like Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol cools the scalp, reduces itchiness, and restores balance, making it easier to manage hair fall.
- Avoid oily, harsh hair products Heavy oils, styling creams, and strong-hold sprays can clog pores and trap sweat, which feeds dandruff-causing fungus. Switching to lighter, scalp-friendly products keep your follicles clean and your scalp less reactive.
- Don’t scratch, even if it itches! Scratching may feel satisfying, but it causes micro-tears in your scalp and weakens hair roots. Over time, this physical stress can increase breakage and make your scalp even more inflamed.
- Keep your scalp moisturized A dry scalp often flakes more, worsening the cycle of irritation and hair shedding. Use a moisture-rich shampoo like Smooth & Silky for dry scalps, or Lemon Fresh if you deal with excess oil; both are designed to soothe and support a healthier scalp environment.
Here’s the good news! You can reverse dandruff-related hair fall
If dandruff is behind your hair fall, you’re not stuck with it. You can see improvements over time by taking better care of your scalp and keeping it clean, calm, and balanced. Choose products that suit your scalp type, avoid habits that aggravate irritation, and build a routine you can stick to. Healthy hair starts at the scalp, and small, consistent changes often make the most significant difference.
