Hair loss: a link with dandruff?

Key point to remember.

Dandruff does not necessarily cause hair loss, but it can exacerbate it in certain individuals.
Dandruff creates an environment conducive to increased hair loss (100 to 300 hairs per day compared to the normal 50 to 100).
The yeast Malassezia plays a central role by inducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and an imbalance in the hair growth cycle.
Hormonal, immune, and environmental factors also influence the association between dandruff and hair loss.

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1 in 2 people

is affected by dandruff at some point in their lives.

85% of men

experience hair loss at some point in their lives.

33% of women

experience hair loss at some point in their life.

Dandruff and hair loss, two interconnected issues?

The dandruff and hair loss are among the most common hair concerns, and it is not uncommon for both to occur simultaneously. While the presence of dandruff often reflects a scalp imbalance associated with an overgrowth of the fungus Malassezia or excessive sebum production, hair loss follows complex mechanisms, including genetics, hormones, stress, and certain medical conditions. Many people fear that dandruff directly causes hair loss, but the reality is more nuanced.

Nevertheless, there is evidence of a link between dandruff and hair loss.

50 to 100

Hairs shed daily in the absence of dandruff.

100 to 300

Daily hair loss associated with dandruff.

Indeed, the relationship between dandruff and hair loss is based on a complex web of biological mechanisms involving the proliferation of the fungus Malassezia, sebaceous gland activity, the immune response, skin barrier integrity, as well as genetic and environmental factors. In individuals prone to dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, there is typically an increased presence of Malassezia, which thrives in sebum-rich areas. The metabolites released by this fungus stimulate keratinocytes to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, maintaining a chronic inflammatory state of the scalp. Furthermore, some individuals appear to have a particular susceptibility to this yeast, with an exacerbated immune response characterized notably by an increase in NK cells and CD16+ cells.

This chronic inflammation can have direct repercussions on the hair. The enzymes produced by Malassezia convert triglycerides in sebum into free fatty acids, such as oleic acid and arachidonic acid. These irritate the scalp and trigger an inflammatory response that disrupts the hair cycle. As a result, some follicles prematurely enter the telogen phase, leading to increased hair shedding. Furthermore, repeated scratching due to itching worsens the issue: by weakening the hair shaft and damaging the area around the follicle, it can interfere with hair regrowth.

Another key factor is oxidative stress. Metabolites produced by certain species of Malassezia promote the generation of reactive oxygen species. These free radicals cause cellular damage, including within hair follicles, compromising their proper function. Moreover, several studies have highlighted a link between increased oxidative stress on the scalp and increased hair loss.

Finally, the role of androgens must not be overlooked. These hormones stimulate sebum production, creating an environment conducive to the growth of Malassezia. At the same time, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the active form of testosterone that enhances sebaceous gland activity, acts on the follicles’ androgen receptors, promoting their miniaturization. This dual mechanism explains why dandruff and hair loss often occur together.

Les causes des pellicules et de la perte de cheveux et leurs liens. — The causes of dandruff and hair loss and their interconnections.
Source: TALUKDER M. & al. Role of topical ketoconazole in therapeutic hair care beyond seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2025).

A study conducted by ALEXANBER and his team investigated the relationship between dandruff and hair loss. 145 individuals with dandruff were recruited, of whom 41 (28%) also experienced hair loss. These preliminary findings indicate that the dandruff–hair loss association is not systematic but does involve a notable proportion of individuals. Clinically, several patients linked the onset of hair loss to the appearance of dandruff, sometimes preceded by an increase in greasiness of the scalp. Among the 22 patients who tracked their daily hair loss, 14 observed a decrease in hair loss after dandruff improvement, even though the average loss remained around 150 hairs per day.

The study also revealed a significant involvement of yeasts of the genus Pityrosporum. Among 86 patients tested, 155 cultures were performed: the organisms P. ovale and P. orbiculare were the most frequently isolated, sometimes simultaneously. Serological tests revealed that patients with dandruff and diffuse alopecia had significantly higher antibody titers against these yeasts, sometimes up to 1:256, a level markedly higher than that of healthy controls (around 1:4). The highest titers were observed in individuals with both abundant dandruff and significant hair loss.

In conclusion, this study shows that there is indeed an association between dandruff, hair loss, and a heightened immune response to scalp yeasts. However, the presence of high antibody titers and severe dandruff was also observed in patients without hair loss, underscoring that other factors—hormonal, inflammatory, or individual—are involved.

Dandruff can therefore exacerbate hair shedding, but on its own, it does not explain hair loss.

Discover Typology’s anti-dandruff solutions.

If you are prone to dandruff, know that solutions do exist. The first step is to incorporate an anti-dandruff shampoo into your hair care routine. At Typology, we offer you an anti-dandruff shampoo formulated with 1% piroctone olamine, a potent anti-dandruff agent that has antifungal action and the ability to maintain the balance of the scalp microbiome. This treatment also contains clary sage essential oil, which helps regulate sebum production, and jujube extract, which limits scalp flaking and reduces dandruff formation.