Does Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?

Dandruff, a common form of skin flaking, can cause scalp itchiness and discomfort. It can also cause stress and anxiety. One thing it can’t cause, though, is hair loss.

If you’re concerned about the health of your hair, however, there’s more to the dandruff story. While dandruff itself doesn’t cause hair loss, constantly scratching your scalp can affect your hair growth and potentially cause shedding. And in extreme cases, that could eventually turn a dandruff problem into hair loss.

Below, we’ve explained what causes dandruff, how it may affect hair health and appearance, and how to protect hair from dandruff-related damage.

Dandruff is not an underlying cause of hair loss on its own, but it can contribute to hair loss in certain circumstances (we’ll get to those in a moment).

First, let’s make this clear: dandruff doesn’t cause male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. Male pattern baldness is caused by a combination of factors, including your genetic makeup and the effects of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, an androgen hormone (male sex hormone).

You can learn more about this process and its actual root causes in our detailed guide to DHT and hair loss in men.

Likewise, dandruff does not affect other forms of hair loss, including:

• Telogen effluvium, which is hair loss that can occur after a physiological shock or severe stress

• Anagen effluvium, a condition usually caused by drugs used for cancer treatment or exposure to certain toxic chemicals

• Traction alopecia, which is when hair sheds because the follicles are under too much strain, like from chemical treatments or tight hairstyles

• Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your hair follicles

There are only two circumstances in which dandruff-related hair loss is possible: one is the damage dandruff can cause to your scalp, and the other is the scratching some people do to relieve the itchy sensation of this condition.

Dandruff and other skin conditions, like eczema, that cause flaky skin, irritation, and dryness may affect scalp health overall. Severe dandruff may also make it harder for hair to grow if left untreated.

More commonly, though, dry skin and the white flakes of dead skin cells can cause itching. Scratching your dry scalp might cause your hair follicles to break, especially if you have naturally brittle or damage-prone hair.

Does dandruff prevent hair growth? Not directly, no — but there are a few reasons why you might be experiencing dandruff and hair loss at the same time.

If you scratch your scalp aggressively, you may weaken your skin’s protective barrier and increase your risk of developing a bacterial or fungal infection. Infections can cause some scalp conditions, such as tinea capitis, that can affect your hair follicles and contribute to temporary or permanent hair loss.

Scratching aggressively may also pull on your hair, causing temporary hair shedding that gives your hair a thin appearance.

Dandruff and hair loss are also often tied together because people treating hair loss might experience a dry or itchy scalp during treatment.

While dandruff doesn’t cause hair loss, it’s still a major annoyance that can ruin your confidence and negatively affect your life. That’s reason enough to manage it before it becomes a serious problem.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to deal with dandruff, almost all of which are effective over the long term. We’ve outlined several options below.

Use an Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

The most effective hair care products to clear up dandruff are anti-dandruff shampoos. You can buy over-the-counter shampoos formulated to treat and prevent dandruff online or from your local supermarket or drugstore.

When comparing shampoos that treat dandruff, look for science-based active ingredients such as pyrithione zinc (sometimes called zinc pyrithione), ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar, and salicylic acid.

Our dandruff detox shampoo contains 1% pyrithione zinc and salicylic acid. This medicated shampoo reduces build-up on the scalp, soothes itchiness, and reduces flaking.

Make sure to follow the instructions provided with your shampoo. Also, be careful when using coal tar shampoo, as this ingredient can discolor blonde, white, or gray hair and make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Evaluate Your Medications for Side Effects

Skin irritation caused by certain products designed to promote hair growth can also potentially cause dandruff.

Treatments like finasteride, minoxidil solution, minoxidil foam, and topical finasteride and minoxidil spray are all used to promote hair health. Some people who use these types of hair loss medications — minoxidil, in particular — report developing a dry, itchy scalp during the first few weeks of treatment.

One study from 2015 showed that minoxidil causes higher rates of scalp itching than a placebo. That’s because some versions of minoxidil contain ingredients like propylene glycol and alcohol, which cause dry skin and itchiness.

So, if you have a sensitive scalp or already have dandruff, there’s a risk that using minoxidil to treat your hair loss could make your dandruff worse.

If you’ve noticed an increase in dandruff since you started using minoxidil, it could be the culprit. Speak with a healthcare professional if you think you're experiencing side effects from minoxidil.

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Good scalp care may also start with your diet.

Although there’s no direct link between diet and dandruff, some research in women has found that eating a diet rich in fruit and low in high-fat, high-sugar processed foods may help reduce the severity of seborrheic dermatitis (a skin condition that often causes dandruff.

Our guide to foods to eat for hair growth lists specific ingredients to prioritize for a healthy scalp and hair.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

If your dandruff doesn’t improve with regular use of an anti-dandruff shampoo, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider, particularly a dermatologist or dermatology expert.

Although most cases of dandruff are associated with seborrheic dermatitis, other medical conditions — like scalp psoriasis or ringworm — can also cause skin flaking.

A healthcare provider can help develop a treatment plan that directly addresses the causes of your dandruff. For example, you may need an antifungal cream or a medicated shampoo.

Although dandruff can be uncomfortable and annoying, there’s no scientific evidence that it directly causes hair loss. But aggressively scratching your scalp — a common behavior among people with dandruff — can cause hair loss.

• Scratching your scalp can make you susceptible to infections. Certain bacterial and fungal infections can cause your hair to shed.

• Dandruff might get worse after using certain hair loss treatments. Minoxidil, in particular, might dry out your scalp, causing itchiness and flaking.

• If you have dandruff, relief is possible. Quality dandruff treatments can help keep your scalp and follicles nice and healthy.

If you’ve noticed significant hair fall or thinning hair, you might benefit from using science-based medications such as finasteride and minoxidil.

Need expert help to deal with dandruff or hair loss? We can help you connect with a medical professional who can advise you on your treatment options and get you closer to happy, healthy hair growth.