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What Causes Dandruff and How Can You Control It?

What Causes Dandruff and How Can You Control It?

 

1 out of 5 people suffer from scalp flaking. 

Stop scratching - It’s tempting to scratch an itchy scalp, and doing so may relieve the itch, but it can make things worse. That’s because scratching releases flakes of skin and increases visible dandruff. It can also weaken hair, making it prone to breaking.

Dandruff can have several causes, including:

  • Dry skin. Simple dry skin — the kind you get during winter when the air is cold and rooms are overheated — is the most common cause of itchy, flaking dandruff. Flakes from dry skin are generally smaller and less oily than those from other causes of dandruff, and you'll likely have symptoms and signs of dry skin on other parts of the body, such as your legs and arms.
  • Irritated, oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis). This condition, one of the most frequent causes of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis may affect not only your scalp, but also other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits.
  • Not shampooing often enough. If you don't regularly wash your hair, oils and skin cells from your scalp can build up, causing dandruff.
  • Psoriasis. This skin disorder causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that form thick, silvery scales. Psoriasis commonly occurs on your knees, elbows and trunk, but it can also affect your scalp.
  • Eczema. If you have eczema anywhere on your body, it could also be on your scalp, possibly leading to the development of dandruff.
  • Sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis). Sometimes sensitivities to certain ingredients in hair care products or hair dyes, especially paraphenylene diamine (PPD), can cause a red, itchy, scaling scalp. Shampooing too often or using too many styling products also may irritate your scalp, causing dandruff.
  • Dandruff isn't contagious and those white flakes on your shoulders pose no health risk.  Although it's embarrassing -- and the itching can be bothersome -- dandruff isn't harmful.

Could 3D Printed Hair Follicles Help with Hair Loss?

Could 3D printed hair follicles help with hair loss?
 
Hair loss can be an embarrassing thing. When hair loss solutions such as wigs and toupees go haywire in public, the results can be even more embarrassing. However, a number of companies are looking to change this problem. One such company is L'Oreal, who has partnered with Piotis of France to develop a hair follicle implant procedure similar to 3D printing.

Printing New Hair
Scientists are working to develop a type of laser printing that can create objects of a cellular base. Although it will take a few years to finalize the process, researchers hope to develop a new to replace lost hair. This discovery will help people cope with the emotions of losing hair. As a positive aside, the technology will also enable new follicles to be built for product testing. The research might even contribute to knowledge regarding hair, such as why it grows or is lost. When printing hair is perfected, things like cartilage may very well be next on the list.

Arthritis Drug May Help With Hair Loss

Arthritis Drug May Help With Hair Loss
 
It is estimated that 6.5 million people in America suffer from alopecia areata. This is a condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Alopecia areata causes a person to lose patches of hair. It can also cause a person to completely go bald.

It can be difficult to treat alopecia areata. Fortunately, researchers have found out that a drug called Xeljanz, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, may treat alopecia. There was a three-month study that involved 66 patients. The study showed that half of the subjects in the study noticed hair re-growth after three months. One-third of the subjects were able to recover more than half of the hair that they lost.

The subjects only experienced mild side effects. They were given five milligrams of Xeljanz twice a day. The researchers stated that the results of the study are promising. However, they noted that they do not know how long a person will have to take Xeljanz in order to get results. They also do not know how long the hair re-growth will last.

WNT Pathway Study for Hair Growth

New Hair Growth Study Has Promising Results

The secret to restoring and regrowing hair has long been an elusive one, but Angela Christiano may have found the secret. A long-time sufferer of alopecia areata, a condition well-known for causing hair loss, Christiano has found a way to grow a full head of hair in a laboratory setting.

Christiano, a researcher at Columbia University, was not satisfied with the limited options for women's hair growth. Instead of settling for 20-year-old medications, Christiano decided to take matters into her own hands by using a patient's own stem cells to grow hair which could later be transplanted to bald spots.

Christiano is on the forefront of a movement in the biotech community to treat severe hair loss as a medical condition. While this may sound intimidating, it means that those suffering from hair loss may finally get some current and effective medical treatments for their issues. 

How is this different from current treatments? Well, many people mistakenly treat hair loss as a cosmetic issue rather than a medical concern. Part of this misconception comes from how flat-out difficult it has proven to try to regrow hair.

And unfortunately, there are no shortages of ways for men and women to lose their hair. One of the most common ways is through alopecia areata, a condition which causes that immune system to see hair as a virus and subsequently attack the hair follicles. 

Seasonal Hair Loss Explained

Seasonal Hair LossSeasonal Hair Loss
What You Can Do About Seasonal Hair Loss
Seasonal hair loss refers to the ways in which hair is lost. Hair is often thicker in the summer to protect the head from the sun. The two times that you will most often experience hair loss are the end of July and beginning of August and the end of November and beginning of December.

Women experience higher levels of telogen during July, though the reasons for this are not known. Telogen is associated with the resting phase for the hair growth cycle, which is why women tend to lose more hair during this period.

Sun Exposure And Hair Loss
Exposure to the sun leads to the production of melatonin. This chemical not only changes the color of the skin, but also encourages hair growth. When this is produced in smaller quantities as you are exposed to less sun, you will begin to notice the hair loss more because the hair falling out is not replaced by new strands of hair.

Some Hair Loss Is Normal
The great news about seasonal hair loss is that the hairs that are shed are extra hairs that were grown for temporary reasons. If you are not experiencing hair loss that occurs in a pattern, such as seeing hair loss around your ears, you will not need to have your hair loss treated. However, if you are suffering from more severe hair loss, this may become more apparent during seasonal hair loss periods. Also, if you notice that the regrowth is very slow, this is also an indication of a problem.

Hair Loss Solutions
Fortunately, hair loss can be reduced through lifestyle changes and medications. For example, you may be able to reduce your hair loss by reducing the stress in your life. The best way to find out how you can reduce hair loss is to meet with a hair loss specialist.

You may need a medication that will increase blood flow to the scalp to facilitate more rapid hair growth to replace lost hair. There are also some drugs that can cause hairs to switch from their growth to resting phase more quickly. But seeing a hair loss specialist is recommended because each patient is different and will need their own customized treatment plan.

Causes of Hair Loss Among African Americans

African American Hair LossHair Loss in African Americans

Hair loss affects people of all races by making them lose their hair, and this can take a toll on a person's self-esteem. Though African Americans are not genetically predisposed to lose hair, their unique curl patterns and traditional hairstyles make them particularly likely to develop certain forms of hair loss.

The most common cause of hair loss worldwide is male pattern baldness, which happens when men gradually lose the hair on the top of their head. However, this is a hereditary condition caused by a susceptibility to DHT, and most black men do not have the genes that cause extreme hair loss. Instead of age-related baldness, a lot of hair loss in the African American community is caused by traction alopecia. This happens when tight twists, braids, weaves, and updos put pressure on the hair follicles. Over time, this causes scarring and damage that makes it difficult for hair to grow along the hairline. Women are more likely to suffer from this type of hair loss, but it can happen to men too. Though it is rare, some hair loss may be caused by health conditions, including high fevers, imbalanced thyroid glands, or even excessive stress.

How to Treat Hair Loss

The first step to treating hair loss is determining the cause. Men suffering from male pattern baldness can get a prescription for Rogaine or any other drug that halts hair loss. People who have hair loss due to tight cornrows or weaves will need to stop wearing tight hairstyles and start nourishing their hair with aloe vera, castor oil, and vitamin B supplements to encourage new growth. It will take a lot of time and patience, but eventually traction alopecia may be reversed.

How to Prevent Hair Loss

Though it might be possible to treat hair loss, it is normally more effective to prevent it from happening in the first place. African Americans can take biotin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 supplements to strengthen their hair as it grows. Regular scalp massages with essential oils such as rosemary and lavender can stimulate blood flow and prevent fungal infections. African American hair also has a tendency to get dry, and this can make hair snap off. Proper moisture will make hair bend instead of breaking, so you can enjoy a full, thick head of hair.

Rosemary & Sage: Not Just for Cooking Anymore

Rosemary & Sage for Hair Growth

Hair loss is a common condition among women and men of all ages. One of the most common varieties is alopecia--a form of hair thinning or loss. Alopecia causes patches of hair to fall out, specifically from one's scalp. Alopecia differs from male pattern baldness, which, as its name implies, only affects men. Thankfully, there are many treatments for hair loss that don't require expensive store-bought chemicals.

Did you know that rosemary and sage have been shown to benefit people with alopecia? It's true--these herbs are commonly used in cosmetics and numerous hair care products. If you're currently suffering from hair loss, sage and rosemary might be just what the doctor ordered.

Rosemary's Hair Growth Benefits

Rosemary is a popular herb with a distinct flavor, but it's also widely used in consumer products. Historically, rosemary has been used to treat a variety of ailments and health concerns, such as respiratory conditions, menstrual cramps, kidney colic, and, as we said before: hair growth.

Its active chemicals, caffeic and rosmaricinic acid, were shown by a double-blind trial published in the "Archives of Dermatology" to be effective, safe methods to combat alopecia. 44% of the study participants who used rosemary oil to massage their scalps everyday achieved significant hair growth.

Sage and Hair Renewal

Sage gives sausage and stuffing their distinct flavors, but sage is another herb that is commonly used in cosmetics, and specifically in hair care. In addition to being an effective dandruff control method, sage can prevent hair loss and even stimulate new growth. Its effectiveness in this area is related to sage's high levels of nutrients, including Vitamins A, B, and C.

Incorporating Sage & Rosemary

It's easy to incorporate these herbs into your diet--rosemary makes an excellent addition to pasta sauces, as well as rubs and seasonings for meat. Sage has a more distinct flavor, one that combines particularly well with poultry.

Another way to experience the hair growth benefits of rosemary and sage is to emulsify a handful of the herbs into a small amount of olive oil. Simply apply the oil to the affected areas, gently massaging the oil into parts of your scalp on which you've experienced hair loss. The effects aren't immediate, but if you keep applying the oil to your scalp, you'll be amazed by the results.

Taxotere Can Cause Permanent Hair Loss

taxotere causes hair lossTaxotere Can Cause Permanent Hair Loss

Most cancer patients realize that hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment. They also expect that their hair will grow back once they finish with their treatment. Unfortunately, that is not always the case with one chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat certain forms of breast, lung, prostate, and gastric cancer.

The drug manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis is currently at the center of 33 lawsuits claiming that its chemotherapy drug Taxotere, which is the brand name of the drug docetaxel, can cause permanent hair loss in female patients. The lawsuits claim that Sanofi-Aventis knew of the risk of permanent baldness and failed to notify doctors and patients or change the drug’s labeling until January 2016. One lawsuit alleges that the company’s own research shows that they knew of the risk as far back as 2005 and that the company was warned by the Food and Drug Administration in 2009 for “false and misleading statements concerning unsubstantiated claims of Taxotere’s superior efficacy.” 

Drug manufacturers have a legal duty to warn consumers about any potential side effects of a medication. Companies that fail to provide warnings or that provide false or inadequate warnings can be sued and held financially accountable for any injuries resulting from the drug. 

Can Dry Shampooing Cause Hair Loss?

Can Dry Shampooing Cause Hair Loss?

Many individuals look at dry shampoo as a godsend. Literally, all you have to do is shower a few sprays over your hair, fluff it a bit, and the fine powder contained in the spray absorbs the excess oil in your hair and refreshes it almost immediately.

With its ease of use and effective “cleansing” power, it’s no wonder that this convenience product has been making a vast comeback in recent years. But, is there a downside to this seeming “wonder product”? 

According to recent research and the shared experience of several individuals, it’s possible that dry shampoo isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, some individuals are even experiencing hair loss that may be related to dry shampoo use.

As early as last April, doctors and dry shampoo users alike began spreading word that the product may be the cause of hair and scalp issues. One user in particular Nicole Baxter of Belfast shared a post on Facebook warning her friends that regular use of a popular brand of dry shampoo had led to her own hair loss, giving her a bald patch and developing a sore, itchy, flaky scalp. News traveled fast, and the post was shared more than 30,000 times. According to the post, the young woman’s doctor suggested that the dry shampoo she had been using regularly was to blame for her hair and scalp concerns. 

The use of powder to “clean” the hair is no new concept. The Victorians used arrowroot to sprinkle on their hair and absorb grease. Likewise, powders such as cornstarch and even ground oatmeal have been used in the past. Today, dry shampoos are composed of ingredients such tapioca starch, powdered rice protein, and even clay. Each of which is dispensed the form of an aerosol.

The real issue, though, is that dry shampoo is really not shampoo at all. While shampoo is in the name of the product, it’s really a misnomer. Typical shampoos clean the scalp and hair with detergent-like ingredients, effectively breaking down and removing dirt. Dry shampoo doesn’t actually cleanse the scalp or hair at all. All that dry shampoo does is absorb the oil on the scalp so that the hair looks and feels fresher.

With that effect, dry shampoo does not clean the hair or scalp and is really just a cosmetic product that needs washed out regularly. If it isn’t, then it can cause issues such as blocked pores, skin irritation, and scaling. The product can even lead to seborrheic dermatitis, involving such issues as red, flaky, itch, inflamed skin and even hair loss.

So, is dry shampoo safe to use? It is when used for its intended purpose – buying your hairstyle an extra day. But, it’s really not a safe alternative for regular hair washing and shouldn’t be used as one.