Other Ways To Treat And Prevent It
Besides the above, there are more ways to prevent or treat it.
- Always keep it clean to avoid the buildup of dandruff, sweat, and body oils
- Dont scratch it, this may lead to other secondary infections
- Brush or comb your hair several times in a day to allow effective flow of natural oil in the scalp
- Maintain personal hygiene including not sharing personal belongings such as towels, pillowcases, hairbrushes, combs, sheets, and so on, otherwise, you may enhance the spread of bacteria and viruses hence further infections
- Use natural products that are free from harmful chemicals
- Try to avoid anything oily
- Try to always use anti-allergic products
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Always prefer medically prescribed gentle shampoos
- Avoid products which contain sodium lauryl sulfate
Get Hair Loss & Scalp Health Answers Today
Whether you need answers for a hair & scalp disorder, a hair loss restoration product, or both, we can help. Here at Elite Hair Loss Solutions, we will provide you with a personalized course of action and answers to address your specific hair loss and scalp health concerns. . If you have need for a more detailed hair & scalp analysis, specific testing will also available to you at this appointment, for a nominal fee.
Cut Back On The Number Of Products You Use
While all of the previous steps require adding new products into your haircare regimen, one of the most important steps to having a healthy, moisturized scalp might actually be cutting back on the number of products you use. Try to keep your haircare routine relatively simple, nixing harsh ingredients and chemicals and opting for a streamlined approach that makes use of natural formulas that won’t irritate your scalp or strip it of oils.
It’s important to remember that styling products can also react with your skin, so make sure to check those ingredient lists, too. Look for products that have noncomedogenic ingredients, meaning they won’t clog the pores on your scalp or on your face.
“Too many products can throw off the pH balance of the scalp and causeadditional issues. Cleansing the scalp and making sure it is free of productbuildup is also very important,” Friese concludes.
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What Causes Dry Scalp Causes Of Dry Scalp Or Reasons
So, what causes dry scalp? Well, first of all dry scalp is on the general scale attributed to loss of the skins moisture balance due to various factors. Among the causes of dry scalp are:
Harsh shampoos and soaps
Using harsh shampoos and soaps is one of the most common causes of dry scalp. The chemicals in such shampoos may strip off the natural oil that is usually found in hair and scalp leading to a drying-out effect that culminates in dry scalp and brittle hair that is devoid of its lustrous shine.
Poor diet
Without proper diet, the sebaceous glands may not be able to produce essential oils that are required for scalp health. This can end up in a dry scalp.
Hard water
Using hard water also ranks among the common causes of dry scalp. Even when a shampoo formulated for dry scalp and hair is used, its effectiveness may be weighed down when hard water is used to rinse the hair after using the shampoo.
This problem can be overcome by installing water filters on the shower head to get rid of some of the minerals responsible for water hardness.
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis can also cause dry scalp.
Environmental factors
Changes in environmental conditions e.g. during winter can also lead to dry scalp. Winter is usually characterized by low humidity levels which
can cause a drying-out effect on the scalp. The use of furnace and other heating elements during winter can as well exacerbate the scalp dryness.
Traction Alopecia Damages Follicles
Pulling hair too tight — as can happen with ponytails, braids, and cornrows — can damage hair follicles and cause hair to break or fall out. Hair extensions and hairpieces can sometimes cause traction alopecia, too, because their extra weight pulls on existing hair. Changing your hairstyle usually lets hair grow back. Pulling hair back tightly for a long time, though, can lead to permanent hair loss.
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What Causes Dry Scalp And Hair Loss
Water loss from damage to the lipid barrier of the scalp can result in dry scalp hair loss.
When your scalp isnt producing enough sebum to keep the scalp moisturized, it causes scalp dryness. You may notice skin dryness in other areas of your body as well. Dry skin is a condition known as xerosis.
According to the American Skin Association, normally, you shouldnt worry about dry skin. It is a bother regardless. The constantly itchy scalp and the snowflakes on your shoulders can also make you feel embarrassed.
To find the right treatment for your dry scalp hair loss, you need to know what may be causing it in the first place.
When It Leads To Hair Loss
Patient’s content producer Gemma had been experiencing issues with a flaky scalp for several years. She’d been told by her GP that this was a form of psoriasis but the treatments she’d been prescribed weren’t working and she was worried it was leading to significant hair loss. We sent her for a consultation with Wong at London Bridge Hospital to try and get to the bottom of her symptoms.
After examining Gemma, Wong described her condition as ‘pityriasis amiantacea’ which means scaling of the scalp. It’s most common in people who have a pre-existing skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema, and was responsible for the hair loss Gemma was experiencing.
“Dandruff is not a serious condition but if left untreated for a long period of time, thick layers of scale can be stuck on to the surface of the scalp, a condition called pityriasis amiantacea. This can disturb the growth of the hair and cause temporary hair loss,” adds Wong.
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So Can Dry Scalp Cause Hair Loss
If your dry scalp is a simple case caused by lack of moisture, it wont typically cause hair loss, but it’s possible.
A dry scalp can be an itchy scalp, said Dr. Daniel Boyer, a medical doctor and researcher with Farr Institute. This might cause you to scratch your scalp frequently and aggressively, which leads to damaged skin on your scalp and hair follicles. This could result in hair loss.” Thankfully, this doesn’t typically lead to permanent hair loss. Getting the moisture levels of your scalp normalized can slow hair loss and eventually stop it.
Foundational Hair Knowledge: Why Scalp Health Is Important
Can Dry Scalp Syndrome Cause Loss Of Hair
Dry scalps are usually itchy and irritating, this can initiate scratching which may aggravate the situation. Though there are different causes, the symptoms may be virtually the same. it is a common problem for many people especially Americans. Its causes include harsh hair care products, dehydration, climatic conditions, stress and anxiety and medical conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and fungus among many others.
So, you have been wondering whether it can really contribute to your this loss, yes it can but in rare cases. However, hair loss causes have a wide range that involves issues to do with skin disorders, scalp infections, hormonal disorders, and certain medications especially those used to treat cancer, arthritis, depression, heart failures, and birth control.
Having explained all these, the good news is that, there are many ways to heal this dryness and stop further loss. We`ll discuss them later in this article. Now, you major concern is how dry scalp causes hair loss right? Good, just scroll below to explore the whole theory.
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I Have Very Flaky Scalp Does That Mean I Will Go Bald Before I’m 40
Dandruff is an often embarrassing condition where flakes of skin shed heavily from your scalp. This can leave visible white flakes on your clothing and hair, and cause emotional turmoil all on its own. If this werent bad enough, if you have a very flaky scalp, you may also be concerned about going bald.
The good news is that if you have a flaky scalp, it probably isnt linked to hair loss. Most causes of flak-ing on the scalp are unrelated, but there are certain diseases which can cause the issue. In particular fungal infections, allergic reactions and inflammation in hair follicles can cause bald-ness.
The reason they is because they can damage the hair follicle, causing the hair follicle to be unable to produce new hair, which leads to the loss of that hair.
If your scalp is itchy on top of flaky, it can also lead to damage through scratching. The physical damage from scratching can also lead to damage of the follicles and hair loss resulting from it.
Healthy Hair Starts With A Healthy Scalp
Support your scalp’s health by tending to your general health and wellness. Here are a few tools you can add to your hair wellness toolkit:
- Manage stress. Stress is like a multi-headed beast that can impact hair health in many different ways. Its also been linked to both itchiness and dry skin.
- Focus on essential vitamins and minerals. A healthy and balanced diet is not only a pillar for overall health, but its really important for achieving luscious, shiny locks and supporting healthy hair growth. Boost with carefully formulated hair-specific supplements when needed!
- Detox to balance the microbiome. Keep your scalps microbiome healthy with GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum, which removes product buildup, soothes irritation and provides moisture. The serum also provides visible reduction in the symptoms of dandruff in as little as three days and a 58% reduction in scalp buildup in as little as 15 days.
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What Is Dry Scalp Exactly
Dry scalp is a lack of moisture or oil in the scalp, said Dr. Zachary Okhah, founder and chief surgeon with PH-1 Miami. It can result from exposure to cold, dry air, stress, aging or even overwashing. Or it can be a reaction to the soap, shampoo or other hair products you use. These factors can draw moisture from the scalp, drying it out, and causing the skin to flake off.”
When your scalp is dry and not getting enough moisture, it can also feel tight or become irritated and itchy, in addition to flaking. You might also notice dry patches of skin on other areas of the body.
It seems simple, right? But hold on, like many things related to the scalp, it can be a little more complex than that. According to Dr. Okhah, there are also conditions and infections that can cause dry scalp and possibly even hair loss.
Shop: GRO Balance & Restore Kit for Scalp Health
What Does Dry Itchy Scalp Hair Loss Mean
Another type of itchy scalp hair loss occurs when the scalp is dry. When you have dry itchy scalp hair loss it means that, your scalp lacks enough moisture. Consequently, you have to use hair products that are moisturizing. Natural hair conditioners can come in handy as well as a homemade shampoo such as coconut milk mixed with aloe vera gel. A carrier and essential oil has to be added to this mixture before massaging it on scalp for 5-10 minutes and the rinsing off.
Other deep moisturizers that can also help fight the itchiness and dryness include:
- Coconut oil
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When Should You See A Doctor
Please consult a doctor if you notice any of the following:
- If the dryness on the scalp is paired with severe redness or inflammation and hair loss.
- If the dryness on the scalp persists even after applying hydrating packs, serums, masks, and deep conditioning treatments.
- Your hair is starting to thin out with excess oil.
- You start experiencing hair loss.
Major Causes Of Thinning Hair And Hair Loss
Hereditary hair loss is the most common form of thinning hair and hair loss in men and women. Also known as female pattern or, male pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, it occurs when the hair follicles have a genetic sensitivity to androgens the male sex hormones and to dihydrotestosterone in particular. When DHT interacts with the hair follicles, this sensitivity causes hair growth to slow or stop, leading to thinning hair or hair loss. In addition, especially in female pattern hair loss, other causal factors are involved.
You can inherit this trait from either your mothers or your fathers side of the family. And while hair loss or thinning hair is often thought of as something that only affects older people, the condition can start as early as your teens, 20s or 30s.
Most people experience some hair thinning as they age, but not everyone is affected to the same degree.Men with male pattern baldness usually develop a receding hairline, hair loss at the crown, or both. Over time, men with hereditary hair loss can end up becoming completely bald.Women with female pattern baldness, on the other hand, tend to develop thinning hair as opposed to total hair loss. This usually sees their hair become thinner across the scalp, especially at the hairline. The crown may be affected, but hereditary hair loss in women rarely proceeds to total baldness.
Common Myths
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Eat A Healthy Balanced Diet
Although theres no direct link between diet and dandruff, some research in women has found that eating a diet thats rich in fruit and low in high-fat, high-sugar processed foods may help to reduce the severity of seborrheic dermatitis.
Our guide to foods to eat for hair growth lists specific ingredients to prioritize for a healthy scalp and hair.
Some Hair Loss Treatment Can Dry Out Your Scalp
Hair loss from male pattern baldness is treated using two medications. The first is a prescription medication called finasteride thats sold in tablet form.
The second is a topical medication called minoxidil thats available as a liquid or foam thats applied directly to your scalp.
We offer finasteride, minoxidil and other hair loss treatments online, with prescription treatments available after an online consultation with a licensed healthcare provider.
If youre losing your hair, youll likely benefit from these treatments. However, some people who use hair loss medications — minoxidil, in particular — report developing a dry, itchy scalp during the first few weeks of treatment.
This is somewhat backed up by scientific study data, with one study from 2015 showing that use of minoxidil results in higher rates of scalp itching than a placebo.
Itchiness and dryness from minoxidil may be caused by the products formula. Some versions of minoxidil contain ingredients such as propylene glycol and alcohol, which can dry the skin.
If you have a sensitive scalp or already have dandruff, theres a risk that using minoxidil to treat your hair loss could worsen your dandruff.
The risk isnt large — most people that use minoxidil don’t experience any scalp issues — but its important to know that its there.
If youve noticed an increase in dandruff since you started to use minoxidil, this could be the key reason.
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