A-Z scalp health Articles

Dandruff is an incredibly common condition that affects up to 50% of the population at any given time.  In each case, dandruff is the symptom of a larger problem in the body. It is characterized by excess shedding of dead skin flakes from the scalp. Most people suffering from dandruff are willing to try almost anything because of the self-esteem and social problems that come with this condition. Luckily, there are many natural remedies to combat dandruff. There are several underlying causes, and treatment recommendations may vary accordingly.

Normal Skin vs Dandruff

Your scalp is surrounded by skin that hosts many tiny hair follicles. Just like the skin on other parts of your body, the skin on our head sheds to make way for new layers. New hair growth pushes out old, dry scalp skin. This shedding contributes to much of household dust. These skin flakes are incredibly small and often go unnoticed. When your head sheds larger skin flakes at a higher rate, this is called dandruff, and it can be caused by various conditions.

What Causes Dandruff?

Because dandruff is technically a symptom and not a condition, it can be difficult to pinpoint its underlying cause. In each case, there are a number of factors that contribute to the progression of dandruff.

Allergic Dermatitis

Many people experience sensitive skin, including on the scamp. Styling products and cleansers often irritate the scalp more than other skin areas. Harsh cleansing shampoos and processing products like hair dyes, permanents, and straightening chemicals can all damage the skin of the scalp and cause it to become irritated. This irritation can trigger an increased cell turnover, leading to faster shedding of the skin known as dandruff.  Irritation of the skin also allows for easy infection by microbes that can cause further problems. Unfortunately, many of the conventional treatments for dandruff can be harsh and can cause further allergic reaction, making the situation worse.  In these cases, removing harsh hair products and switching to more gentle and natural cleansers can help to reduce the problem. In some cases, dietary sensitivities can also contribute to the symptoms. 

Seborrheic Dermatitis - Fungal Scalp Infection

The most common cause of dandruff is actually an infection of the skin of the scalp by Malassezia globosa, a fungus (yeast) much like the Tinea species that cause ringworm. This results in a rash on the skin called seborrheic dermatitis. The yeast actually feeds on the natural oil produced by the skin in hairy areas known as “sebum”. This type of infection can actually occur anywhere on the body where the skin tends to be oily. Infant seborrheic dermatitis is called cradle cap. Sebum production, genetics, and hormonal balance influence this condition. Once infection occurs, it can trigger an irritation of the scalp, which can cause an increase in the rate of turnover of the skin. This means that the irritated skin begins to grow and shed more quickly, a condition called dermatitis. This irritation also causes an increase in sebum production, resulting in further fungal growth. So begins the downward spiral of dandruff.  In addition to dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis often has other symptoms such as: large red plaques over the skin, white and flakey or yellow and oily skin scales, itching and even hair loss.

Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal balance regulates sebum production. Testosterone increases oil production, while estrogen reduces it. This may be the underlying reason that dandruff is more likely to affect men than women.

What Are SomeNatural & Conventional Dandruff Remedies?

There is a wide variety of treatments available for resolving dandruff. Which treatment will be successful is determined by the underlying cause of your condition. Sometimes you will have to try a few different treatment options before you find the one that works best for you. In most cases, treating the body from the inside out is the best way to make a lasting impact on a stubborn condition such as dandruff. By resolving hormonal imbalances and boosting or regulating Immune System responses, you can give your body the best fighting chance at resolving the condition on its own. Sometimes, you will also need to try topical treatments to help nip the current flaking in the bud.

Conventional Treatments

Walking into any drugstore, you will quickly see that there are a vast number of commercial products available for the treatment of dandruff. There are many shampoos, creams, and rinses available to help combat this annoying symptom. Medical doctors will often prescribe antifungal agents or steroid creams to reduce inflammation and replication of the skin cells. Manufacturers add zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide to anti-dandruff shampoos. These ingredients help heal the scalp and act as antibacterial and antifungal agents. Coal tar is also common, as it promotes faster shedding of dead skin cells and slows the new skin growth.

Lifestyle Changes

Keeping dandruff in control starts with some simple steps for proper care of the skin on your scalp.  Shampooing each day and after strenuous exercise can help to get rid of excess oils. This reduces the fungal food source. Be sure to use a gentle hypoallergenic shampoo, or simply wash with baking soda and vinegar (especially apple cider vinegar) for a gentle natural cleansing that removes oil and excess skin flakes, while helping to kill any yeast present. Be careful to avoid scratching as much as possible during the day, as this can damage the skin and cause further inflammatory problems. Avoid the use of chemical styling products as these can contribute to the accumulation of sebum and other debris on the scalp.  Excessively drying the scalp can trigger an increased production of sebum by the body, which can further aggravate dandruff, so simply moisturizing the scalp periodically with saturated fats like coconut oil can help.

Natural Herbal Dandruff Remedies

There are a number of herbs and nutrients that can help to fight dandruff and keep the scalp healthy.

Natural Topical Remedies for Dandruff

Traditional Ayurvedic practitioners used black pepper to help treat dandruff by mixing it with lime and milk and spreading it on the scalp. Traditional Eastern medicine uses, egg oil, or natural mayonnaise, for dandruff due to moisturizing effects. Minced onion may also support scalp health by acting as a natural antimicrobial against fungus. Neem and Tea Tree are both naturally antifungal herbs that can help to kill off cases of seborrheic dermatitis. Both can be found in oils that can be added to your normal shampoo to help stop dandruff. They can also be found in preformulated shampoos and creams to help with dandruff. Rosemary essential oil can also act as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent to help clear up dandruff. Be sure to dilute any essential oil in a carrier oil, as is the case with most essential oils to prevent skin irritation.

Hair grows almost everywhere on the human body except for a few select areas, such as: the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, lips and most of the eyelids (except the eyelashes). There are 3 types of hair: vellus (body) hair, androgenic (pubic) hair, and head hair. There is a natural cycle that occurs over the lifetime of a strand of hair. At the end of its life, a hair sheds from the skin. We naturally lose anywhere from 50 to 150 head hairs every day, and new strands grow to replace them. When the hair fails to be replaced, thinning and eventually balding result. The most common type of hair loss is male pattern baldness, although many other types occur. The medical name for hair loss is alopecia. In this article, we'll explore your hair's life cycle as well as supplements that support hair loss. 

Life Cycle of Hair

There are three major phases of life for a hair: anagen, catagen and telogen. The anagen phase is the growth phase of a hair. It can last up to eight years, although the exact length of time is determined by your genetics. The longer the hair remains in this phase, the longer and faster your hair will grow. Generally, around 85% of the hair on your head will be in the anagen phase at any given time. When the body signals the end of the anagen phase, a transitional phase called the catagen phase begins. This phase lasts for approximately two weeks, during which time the hair follicle pulls away from the hair strand, slowly cutting off its nourishment. Once the follicle has pulled away completely, the telogen phase begins, which is effectively the resting phase of hair. This dormant period can last anywhere from one to four months until the body signals for a new anagen phase to begin. This new phase causes the formation of a new hair strand below the old, which pushes the old hair out as it grows, forcing it to shed.

What Are The Types of Hair Loss?

Male Pattern Baldness

High levels of certain male hormones can signal the body to alter normal hair growth. Specifically, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause a shrinking of the hair follicle, like that seen in the natural catagen phase. DHT is a highly active form of testosterone that some men make larger amounts of than others. These men are more likely to experience male pattern baldness. In other cases, the men have normal hormone levels but more receptor sites for this hormone in their scalp, which increases the signal received, and thus hair loss occurs. Research shows saw palmetto may slow the conversion of testosterone into DHT. While not a miracle cure, clinical evidence shows that saw palmetto has made a difference in some cases. Research has also linked DHT to an enlarged prostate and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Women and Androgenic Alopecia

In some women, a similar process to male pattern baldness occurs due to androgenic hormones. This results in finer and thinner hair over time, and eventually, hair loss as well. In these cases, hair will be of varying thickness prior to thinning. When hair loss occurs without thinning of the hair shaft first, it is often a sign of a medical condition. This can be sudden hormone changes, such as puberty, postpartum, menopause, thyroid disorders, and PCOS.

Weight Loss & Hair Loss

Losing a large amount of weight in a short time can also alter the normal hair cycle and cause a dramatic increase in the shedding of hair. This process is reversible after you resume a well-rounded diet and your weight stabilizes. It may take a few weeks or even a few months to begin to see full regrowth of hair. To avoid this type of hair loss, be sure to maintain a healthy weight loss of 1.5-2 pounds per week and not to excessively restrict fat or calorie intake.

Illness and Stress

A common cause of hair loss in both sexes is stress. This can be mental-emotional stress due to a fast-paced lifestyle, or physical stress due to illness or trauma. This type of hair loss is especially common after surgery. The effects can be immediate or can be delayed for several weeks after the initiating event.

Skin conditions that affect the scalp can also prevent normal hair growth. Conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis have been known to cause difficulties with hair failing to grow, breaking easily and even hair loss. Conventional treatments for cancer can also stop the replication of cells in the body. Chemotherapy and radiation can affect the follicular cells and prevent them from growing hair properly. As the existing hairs die off, the hair thins from treatment. Thyroid conditions can also directly affect hair growth. In these cases, other symptoms such as low body temperature, constipation and dry skin will accompany the hair loss.

Nutritional Deficiencies

A common cause of hair loss due to nutritional deficiency is anemia caused by insufficient Iron or Vitamin B12. When blood and nutrients are not able to circulate properly to the scalp, follicular cells cannot nutritionally support further hair growth. 

Other Causes of Hair Loss

There are many factors, other than hormones, that contribute to hair loss. They include heredity, aging, poor circulation, acute illness, malnutrition, radiation exposure, skin disease, high fever, diabetes, fungal infection and chemical hair dyes.

Are There Hair Loss Treatments & Supplements?

Conventional Treatment

Thanks to commercials and shopping network advertisements, conventional treatment of hair loss has become mainstream. Rogaine is a topical solution used for male pattern baldness. Unfortunately, it can cause heart changes when used for extended periods of time, and the quality of hair it produces is poor. Finasteride is a medication used originally for prostate cancer, and is now used for hair loss in young men. It does allow new hair to grow, but the results last only as long as the medication is taken. Topical cortisone or special scalp radiation therapy is also used in some cases of hair loss. Another topical product commonly used over the counter is polysorbate 80. Polysorbate 80 helps to clean out the hair follicle from the build up of dead cells and excess sebum (protective fat secretion produced by the skin). By cleaning the hair follicle with products like polysorbate, you can improve the thickness of individual hairs and, in some cases, slow hair loss.

Hair Loss Supplements

Topical natural treatment for hair loss involves the use of shampoos and conditioners containing biotin, silica, vitamin C, vitamin E and jojoba oil. Periodic oil treatments can help to strengthen and moisturize the hair, much like natural sebum does. Use apple cider vinegar as a rinse instead of shampoo to help hair growth by maintaining healthy sebum levels. Scalp massage stimulates circulation and can stimulate hair growth. Be gentle when drying your hair and avoid using a blow dryer. Use a pick instead of a brush or comb. Sunlight, seawater, permanents and hair dyes dry the hair and should be avoided. Most natural treatments for hair loss focus on optimizing the body's levels of the important nutrients it needs to maintain and stimulate the growth of healthy hair, and also on cleansing the scalp to ensure the health of hair follicles.

Diet and Lifestyle to Reduce Hair Loss

There are ways you can improve hair health with lifestyle changes and diet. Be sure to drink 2L of filtered water per day. By eating lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, you can help to protect hair follicles from damage. Also, foods that contain biotin will help to improve hair, such as brown rice, green peas, lentils, brewer’s yeast, soy products, sunflower seeds, oats and walnuts. Raw eggs will prevent biotin absorption, so it is best to avoid products containing them. Silica will also improve hair health and can be found in good numbers in whole grains and cherries. Reduce stress levels by exercising and allowing time for pleasurable activities. Consider being screened for hormonal imbalances you’re your health care provider. Finally, sleep is incredibly important to overall health, so make sure you are consistently getting enough of it.