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In Todays Article, lets debunk some myths on dandruff and also know the real facts on dandruff. These may really help you in dealing with dandruff and its treatment.
So, lets start!
- Dandruff is contagious. True or False?
It’s a Myth! Dandruff cannot spread from one person to another in any manner. But one important point to note here – An itchy scaly scalp may not always be a dandruff, it could be any another skin disease or infection that might be contagious.
- Scratch and Clean those flakes before Shampooing? True or False?
Its again a Myth! This is specially for those who comb their scalps heavily before going to head bath or shampooing. This can be painful and can cause bleeding and this injured scalp is more susceptible to infections. And moreover the flakes could come back even thicker because the scalp is trying to protect itself by generating more cells. Stay away from these rash habits.
The next two myths are really interesting and related to each other. Please stay tuned!
- Dandruff Flakes come from a dry scalp – True or False?
If you have watched my previous video showing the mechanism and the causes of dandruff, then you probably know the answer. Actually, having an oily scalp is more likely to cause or aggravate a dandruff. Malassezia fungi which are believed to produce dandruff metabolize the oil or the sebum in the scalp and convert them to flakes as discussed in my other video.
- Oil Treatment for Dandruff can cure Dandruff? True or False?
One of the most common remedies found on the internet for dandruff treatment is oil. You just search on internet or youtube for DIY or home remedies for dandruff – boom you get lots of videos and articles which claim some type of oil or the other to cure dandruff. Using Oils like coconut oil for dandruff may worsen the situation. As discussed, The fungi that causes dandruff feeds on these saturated fatty acids found in oils to produce more dandruff. Coconut oil or any oil treatment may be helpful in cases who have dry scalp along with dandruff, but definitely not in cases of oily skin with dandruff. It is true that coconut oil contains lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal and antibacterial properties plus moisturizer properties. But coconut oil can explode a dandruff to seborrheic dermatitis. We will discuss in detail about the treatment of dandruff in my next episode. Now moving on to the next most important topic –
- Dandruff and Hair loss :
The answer to this question is not so simple. Many men with hair thinning have associated dandruff and they assume that hair loss or hair thinning is due to dandruff. Thinning hair is about your hair and Dandruff is about the skin on your scalp. Actually some guys may worsen their dandruff by applying treatments for hair loss, specially minoxidil can increase flaking and worsen dandruff and also topical oil massage as discussed already.
On the otherhand, if dandruff is associated with a bad itch, it can lead to hair loss due to inflammation and damage to hair follicles by excessive scratching either with finger nails or vigorous combing. But this type of hair fall is temporary and should revert once the dandruff and itching subsides by the next cycle.
