What should I do about excessive dandruff and hair loss?

A prominent symptom of hair loss is excessive shedding. Under normal circumstances, shedding up to 100 hairs per day is considered physiological and harmless; however, in cases of pathological hair loss, daily shedding may reach two to three hundred hairs—or even more. So, what should one do when experiencing both increased dandruff and significant hair loss? Below, we address this question.

What to Do When Experiencing Increased Dandruff and Hair Loss

Excessive dandruff combined with substantial hair shedding often indicates seborrheic dermatitis accompanied by seborrheic alopecia. In the early stages of seborrheic alopecia, symptoms can be alleviated using certain corticosteroid medications. However, in advanced stages—when follicles have already atrophied and lost their capacity to regenerate new hair—hair transplantation surgery becomes the only viable treatment option. Generally speaking, mild dandruff is a common and normal phenomenon. If dandruff is minimal, shampooing every two to three days is usually sufficient, and no specific medical intervention is required. Conversely, if large amounts of dandruff are present—especially when accompanied by itching or small papules—prompt medical evaluation at a hospital is strongly recommended.

Knowledge Expansion: Symptoms of Seborrheic Alopecia

1. Oily Scalp

Individuals with seborrheic alopecia typically exhibit overactive sebaceous glands on the scalp, resulting in greasy hair. Clinically, excessive sebum secretion is commonly observed, leading to an oily, moist scalp surface and often an unpleasant odor.

2. Hair Brittleness and Shedding

In seborrheic alopecia, substances such as oleic acid present in sebum exert toxic effects on hair follicles, ultimately causing hair to become brittle, dry, and shed excessively. This condition most frequently affects young and middle-aged adults with hyperactive sebaceous glands.

The above outlines management strategies for concurrent dandruff and hair loss. We hope this information proves helpful to you.