The Type Of Shampoo You Use Could Dramatically Decrease Your Hair Shedding

Seeing a clump of hair on your hairbrush or in the shower can be a scary thing, and there are so many potential causes of thinning hair that searching for a solution can be stressful.

One of the contributors — and perhaps a surprising one — is dandruff. It’s common, too, so if you have it, know you’re far from alone.

“I’ve been treating scalp and hair conditions for more than 25 years, and dandruff is one of the most common issues I see,” said Dr. Paul Farrant, a consultant dermatologist and co-owner of a specialist dermatology clinic in the U.K. called Experts in Skin and Hair. “It can become more common in autumn and winter, especially when the heating is turned on and our skin can dry out.”

Ahead, he and other experts explain how dandruff can lead to hair loss and how to prevent that.

First, a clarification: “Dandruff does not directly lead to any permanent hair loss,” said Dr. Deepak Khanna, an internist, family medicine physician and the founder of DandRX. “It leads to inflammation and irritation and poor scalp health, essentially, which can contribute to seeing hair shedding.”

What happens, he explained, is that dandruff is often caused by a fungus, Malassezia, which creates a dry, irritated and inflamed environment. That weakens your hair follicles over time, causing shedding.

“All of this interrupts the normal growth cycle of hair growth,” Khanna added.

Scratching is another relevant contributor.

“The itching from dandruff often makes people rub or scratch their scalp,” Farrant said. “While occasional itching won’t cause any damage, persistent itching can cause trauma to the skin, deeper inflammation of the infection, physical damage and breakage of hairs, leading to a thinner appearance.”

Additionally, dandruff is a symptom of certain fungal scalp conditions and other health conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, autoimmune condition scalp psoriasis, increased stress, hormone fluctuations, contact dermatitis from allergic reactions to hair products, or vitamin deficiencies in zinc or vitamin B, according to Tiffany Nicole Blacknall Benjamin, a master loctician and certified trichologist.

“Prepare for damaged hair follicles from inflammation and scratching [and] blocked follicles from sebum or product buildup, if left untreated,” she added.

But here’s the good news: According to Khanna, “This is completely reversible.”

Sometimes, dandruff is (more or less) just dandruff. Other times, it stems from a medical condition, such as psoriasis or eczema. Talking to a physician about whether the latter is the case for you is more important than you may realize.

“The reason why is because treating psoriasis and eczema often has different modalities of treatment than just treating dandruff,” Khanna explained.

Other causes of dandruff that Khanna mentioned are seborrheic dermatitis, dry skin, Malassezia overgrowth and product buildup, with the most common being seborrheic dermatitis and Malassezia growth.

If a health provider or other expert determines that’s the case, Khanna recommended using a medicated dandruff shampoo with pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar or salicylic acid about two or three times a week.

Farrant agreed. “Shampoos that contain one of these ingredients are specifically formulated to control the yeast and inflammation that causes flakes,” he said.

If your scalp is dry, Khanna recommended using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and following up with a lightweight, hydrating scalp oil or conditioner.

It’s not only about the type of shampoo, but how you use it. Farrant said patients should massage it into their scalp for three to four minutes before rinsing. This allows the active ingredients to work their magic.

Other hair care practices affect your scalp and hair health, too. Khanna suggested avoiding overwashing your hair and using hot water, which strips natural oils. He also mentioned not overusing styling products and testing for certain ingredients in them — like fragrances and preservatives — that can lead to flaking and inflammation.

Regularly shampooing, using scalp-safe products and drying your hair thoroughly are other beneficial steps, according to Blacknall Benjamin.

On that note, some hair care products put you at a higher risk of dandruff. For example, Blacknall Benjamin said to avoid products with synthetic fragrances, as they could trigger an allergic reaction.

Additionally, she advised skipping products that contain “popular” ingredients — such as coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, shea oil and olive oil — because they can feed Malassezia and exacerbate dandruff flare-ups.

It’s true: Avoiding dandruff and hair loss is yet another reason self-care is necessary. Farrant suggested managing stress, eating a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol, not smoking, and getting enough sleep.

“Flare-ups are often linked with lifestyle factors,” he said.

On the note of health and self-care, Blacknall Benjamin recommended asking your doctor to check your vitamin levels. More specifically, see if you have low levels of zinc, vitamin D or vitamin B. Some foods that are high in those vitamins and minerals include meat, shellfish, whole grains, legumes, fortified milk and cereals, and fatty fish.

The most important step, however, is treating dandruff early. “The longer the scalp stays inflamed, the higher the risk of hair shedding,” Farrant said. “If shedding continues despite good care, it’s worth seeing a dermatologist.”

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