Dr. Lo Sicco says. Hydrocortisone 1% is available over-the-counter—anything stronger requires a prescription. For symptoms of extreme inflammation, including stinging and acne-like bumps around the base of the hair, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist. She adds that depending on the severity of the condition, they may prescribe corticosteroid shots for additional relief.
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4. Treatments for hair loss caused due to harsh styling habits
The excessive use of heat (curling irons and straightening treatments) and harsh chemicals on your scalp or hair (straightening, relaxing and other treatments) can cause a disorder known as trichorrhexis. This is where the weak points of your hair shaft are easily broken. The disorder can be triggered by underlying conditions like anemia (iron deficiencies) and hypothyroidism.
How to treat Trichorrhexis nososa
Dr. Lo Sicco says to start by eliminating traumatic style practices from your repertoire. Lo Sicco advises against aggressive brushing and teasing.Excessive heat styling, chemical hair straightening, and bleaching are some of the things that Lo Sicco warns against. If you don’t want to remove them from your life entirely, setting limits—like using heat once a week or less and spacing out relaxers as much as possible—can help to minimize physical stress on your hair without depriving you of your favorite ’dos, she adds.
Adding gentle, hydrating hair products to your routine can help improve your hair texture and strengthen your strands. Dr. Lo Sicco recommends switching to a shampoo without sulfates (sulfates make shampoo sudsy but can strip hair of natural oils). Follow it up with moisturizing conditioners to prevent further breakage and dryness.
If you make these changes and it seems like your hair didn’t get the memo (it’s still breaking off or appears like it’s not growing, for instance), it’s a good idea to, yep, see a dermatologist, Dr. Mitchell says. They’ll test for any underlying conditions that might be triggering trichorrhexis nodosa and help you put together a treatment plan.
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5. Treatments for severe dandruff-induced hair loss
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that overreacts to organisms that live on the scalp—in this case, Malassezia yeast—and triggers itchy and flaky patches, as well as a rash that’s darker, lighter, or redder than the surrounding skin. When these flakes mix with the oil that’s produced by the scalp, they can clog your follicles and impair the hair’s nutrient supply, which ultimately weakens its structure.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: How to treat it
Use an anti-dandruff soap that contains zinc pyrithione and salicylic acids. “Ketoconazole and pyrithione zinc are antifungal and anti-inflammatory, while salicylic acid is an exfoliant that rids the scalp of flakes,” Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, tells SELF. “Once the buildup of yeast is gone and the itching ceases, any lost hair should grow back on its own.”
There are plenty of OTC options to choose from, like Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($16, Amazon) and Vanicream Dandruff Shampoo ($11, Target), but if you’re dealing with androgenetic alopecia in addition to major flakes, Dr. Lo Sicco recommends going with ketoconazole as your ingredient of choice (preferably, prescription-strength, which you can get from a dermatologist), since it also has anti-androgen properties. She adds that the treatment can be drying so only use it on the scalp and wash your rest of hair with your regular shampoo.