Does Dandruff cause acne?

At one time or another, almost every person will experience some form of Dandruff. Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells from your scalp, a perfectly natural process to allow new cells to grow. The flaking may be accompanied by itching and rash on the scalp. Dandruff is typically just an annoyance, but it can lead to acne breakouts at one time or another. While this may cause people to scratch their heads, wondering exactly how Dandruff causes acne, there are several ways this can happen. There could be various reasons for a pimply and acne-filled face. If you suffer from both dandruff and acne breakouts, it could be down to increased sensitivity in the skin. And because Dandruff serves as a pathway for bacteria growth on your scalp, this can make your head vulnerable to infection. The sebaceous glands become inflamed because of cell debris build-up, which is associated with acne breakouts.

What is the cause of Dandruff?

Dandruff is associated with fungal infection on the scalp. Whether you’re male or female, Dandruff can be caused by various factors, including hormonal changes, environmental pollutants, and lifestyle choices such as stress. It is estimated that around half of all people will experience Dandruff at some point in their lives. However, not everyone shares Dandruff with acne breakouts, so it’s unclear why this happens for some people but not others.

Some suggest it could be down to pore-clogging skin cells rather than a hormonal imbalance, which leads to a backup of sebum within the hair follicle and subsequent inflammation – redness and swelling – resulting in pimples.

Another theory suggests that Malassezia fungi (Pityrosporumovale), found naturally on the skin, suddenly proliferate when triggered by hormonal changes or stress. This overgrowth of fungi could result in the inflammation associated with acne breakouts.

How does Dandruff cause acne?

Dandruff or dry scalp can cause acne breakouts; people who suffer from an itchy and flaky scalp must be extra careful of the skin condition. Itching and constant scratching trigger a hormonal response that stimulates oil glands, leading to clogged pores. This makes your skin more vulnerable to infections, which is why acne breakouts often happen in areas where there’s a buildup of sebum, such as the face, back, and shoulders.

Excess sebum production leads to fungus formation and infection, which can also result in acne breakouts. Fungus and bacteria increase on the skin, or at least more so than usual, due to flaking and dead skin building up as Dandruff. It’s important to remember that Dandruff is often caused by fungi like Malassezia, which feed on sebum. When you take measures to treat Dandruff, it helps heal your acne, killing off the fungus that causes Dandruff reduces oil build-up.

How to treat Dandruff and acne?

There are various ways to treat Dandruff and acne.

1. Astringents 

Astringents are good for acne patients because they shrink the skin’s pores and reduce oil secretion. Use astringent wipes to clean your face of dirt, oil, dead cells, and other debris that clog the skin. It’s also best to use facial scrubs or exfoliator cream on your face. You can wear them overnight so they will absorb more oil than you would with a regular cleanser. Use a mask made from activated charcoal powder mixed with water to suck out all impurities found in your skin for extra measure.

2. Other topical remedies

Aside from astringents and scrubs, there are also anti-dandruff shampoos that can help treat your Dandruff and acne. They contain specific anti-fungal agents that remove the dead skin cells and sebum that lead to acne breakouts. It’s best to consult with your pharmacist for proper diagnosis before using anti-acne medications on your face, though; this way, you don’t cause any further problems or exacerbate existing ones in your body.

3. Use anti-dandruff shampoo

This is the most common way to treat Dandruff, which also helps clear acne breakouts. You can choose from several anti-dandruff shampoos in the market, so read labels carefully and choose one that best suits your skin type. It’s best not to use bar soap when you have seborrheic dermatitis or other forms of scalp psoriasis because it may irritate the skin even further.

4. Hot oil massages

Hot oil massages help treat Dandruff as well as acne. Apply olive oil, almond oil, castor oil, or coconut oil on your scalp and massage the affected areas to remove dead skin cells that clog your pores and cause infection. Let the oils sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing them off with water.

5. Use a few hair products

When your hair is greasy or has Dandruff, it’s best to avoid using styling products because they can irritate the scalp even more. If possible, use eco-friendly and natural dry shampoos instead. It’s also best to avoid using too much heat on your hair or scalp.

6. Keep your hair off your face

When your hair is long, it’s best to tie them up or style them in a way that doesn’t touch your face. The longer the hair gets, the more likely product buildup and sebum on your scalp. This can trigger acne breakouts even if you have no predisposition to skin conditions like Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

7. Keep hair clean at all times

You must keep your hair clean at all times. Wash every other day with anti-dandruff shampoo for best results. If possible, take extra measures by using a clarifying shampoo once a week to eliminate any impurities from the scalp; this helps prevent flare-ups of Dandruff and acne.

8. Avoid scratching and picking

When you have Dandruff or acne, it’s natural that you’ll want to mark the affected areas. However, doing so can cause further irritation and lead to scarring of the skin. It’s best not to use your bare hands when applying anti-dandruff shampoos on your hair; using latex gloves is a much safer alternative for both your hair and hands. If you keep picking at the affected area, the chances are high that infection will set in, leading to permanent scarring of the treated area, including the face.

9. Eat healthy foods

Your acne and Dandruff are less likely to flare up if you eat healthy foods. Most fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seafood, whole grains, lean meats are high in nutrients that nourish your body on the inside out. These helps keep your skin clear of Dandruff and breakouts or acne-causing bacteria. If possible, stay away from processed foods as these tend to have higher preservatives, which can irritate the skin further.

10. Get plenty of rest

When you’re short on sleep regularly for several days or weeks, it’s easy to develop stress on both your mental and physical well-being. This can trigger hormonal changes that cause acne breakouts on the face and body. To avoid this, try to get eight hours of rest or sleep each day and meditate for a few minutes before bed. This helps foster relaxation, so you feel rested upon waking up the following day.

It would help if you also treated Dandruff as it can aggravate acne breakouts which is why it’s best to look into getting an anti-dandruff shampoo from a skin doctor near you. In addition, hot oil massages known to remove dead skin cells that cause acne flare-ups should be done at least once a week to improve the state of your hair and scalp. Lastly, make sure you maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, sleeping well every night, and avoiding stress as much as possible. Yes, Dandruff can cause acne!

Some pro tips to prevent Dandruff:

1. Gentle cleansing.

It’s recommended to avoid over-washing your hair as it can exfoliate the scalp and strip essential oils from the hair and skin on your face, especially for those with oily skin types. This can trigger a dandruff breakout. Use gentle cleansers that don’t contain any alcohol or fragrance as this will further irritate the skin and cause irritation on the scalp that leads to more flakes.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinses.

You can rinse your hair weekly with ACV diluted in water to keep Dandruff at bay since it has anti-fungal properties, which help prevent an outbreak of dandruff symptoms of acne flares. It also helps balance the pH level of your skin and hair, thus preventing the growth of bacteria that leads to acne breakouts.

3. Tea Tree Oil.

Suppose you can’t get your hands on ACV for whatever reason. In that case, tea tree oil is also effective in treating dandruff symptoms because it has natural anti-fungal properties, which help prevent an outbreak of dandruff symptoms of acne flares. You can dilute a few water drops then massage them into the scalp before shampooing your hair for best results.

4. Use gentle shampoos meant to treat flaking and itching issues on the scalp.

Overuse of certain beauty products, especially those made with harsh chemicals, are known to trigger an outbreak of dandruff symptoms or acne flare-ups since they can strip your skin and hair of their natural oils. If you’re having trouble with persistent itching or flaking, it’s best to avoid any shampoo that contains sulphates, as these chemicals are known irritants that can lead to an acne breakout on the face and body.

5. Wash your pillowcase regularly.

A dirty pillowcase can be a breeding ground for bacteria due to constant contact with oil and sweat from the scalp throughout the night, which is why it’s recommended to wash it at least twice a week so you won’t have a hard time falling asleep. This way, there’ll be less dirt and residue left behind, which would otherwise trigger dandruff symptoms or acne breakouts not washed off properly before going to sleep.

6. Avoid tight-fitting hats and hairstyles.

Tight-fitting hats can also lead to an outbreak of dandruff symptoms or acne flare-ups since it traps sweat on the skin, thus causing irritation that triggers a breakout. To make sure you keep your hair protected from any garment or accessory, always wear loose-fitting clothes and styles to avoid sweating and skin irritation as much as possible.

8. Use mineral oil for a massage before shampooing.

Applying a small amount of mineral oil on the scalp and gently massaging it in circular motions helps loosen up dandruff flakes to make it easier for them to wash off with regular shampoo use rather than brushing or combing through the flakes manually. It also helps relieve any irritation and itchiness that’s triggering the flaking in the first place.

9. Use a clarifying shampoo occasionally.

You can use a clarifying shampoo at least once every week to remove all product build-up on your hair as it can also lead to an acne breakout due to excess oil production, which is why it’s essential to keep away from heavy-duty creams, gels, and other styling products as much as possible even when you’re not wearing them out in public since they still clog up your pores anyway! And if things get terrible with persistent dandruff symptoms or acne flares, see your doctor for topical prescription treatments.

10. Consider homeopathic treatment for dandruff:

• Homeopathic treatment is not only good for dandruff but is also suitable for acne. Homeopathy has proved effective in treating symptoms of dandruff and acne. However, when choosing homeopathic remedies, you must consult with a qualified homeopath before opting for this mode of treatment.
• Homeopathic treatments are safe for all ages, irrespective of whether they are children or adults. Homeopathic treatment for acne treats the root cause, and the same model of the treatment can be used to control the symptoms of dandruff.
• Homeopathic acne treatment can be more effective than treatments using medicine over the counter because it targets the root cause of acne and does not simply suppress the symptoms.
• A qualified homeopath will prescribe more than one remedy to get rid of acne completely. It is best to go for homeopathy if you look for a long-term cure or relief from this skin condition.

Homeopathic remedies treat both mental and physical causes of acne, whereas modern medical treatments only deal with physical problems. Homeopathic remedies also prevent a recurrence, providing you some permanent relief from this skin condition. You can book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy and explore the benefits of homeopathic treatment.