Dandruff and Hair Loss: A 100 Year Old Myth

Parisian Sage The Belgravia Centre

On November 1st 1910, the Dubuque Telegraph Herald newspaper carried an advertisement for a remedy called Parisian Sage Hair Tonic that was designed to prevent hair loss by treating dandruff. According to the manufacturer, baldness could be attributed to the “dandruff germ” in 99% of cases. The truth, of course, was far from being so simple.

In the 100 years since the bold claims put forward by The Giroux Manufacturing Company behind the Parisian Sage Hair Tonic, scientists have demonstrated that the legendary "dandruff germ" was nothing more than an advertising gimmick used to explain the poorly-understood phenomenon of hair loss. These days, hair loss experts have identified several different hair loss conditions which are caused by a number of different factors including genetics and environment.The “dandruff germ”, however, is not one of them.

So does dandruff not cause hair loss?


Experts

are unequivocal that dandruff does not cause hair loss. However, some people may find that a receding hairline and dandruff appear together. The flaky scalp can be an indicator of something being amiss with their health.

It is possible to acquire a fungal infection of the scalp called Tinea Capitis, one of the symptoms of which is dandruff. Although quite rare, Tinea Capitis results in an itchy, raised red ring on the scalp, dandruff and generally smelly hair. Also known as ‘Ringworm of the Scalp’, the infection is acquired through contact with an infected person or animal.  If left untreated Tinea Capitis can cause Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and eventually patchy hair loss as the fungus attacks the scalp. Despite sounding like the “dandruff germ”, Tinea Capitis is a relatively rare condition and definitely does not account for anything like 99% of hair loss cases.

I have dandruff: should I be concerned about hair loss?


Dandruff is extremely common, as is some shedding of hair each day. Neither should cause concern. However, if you notice consistent heavy shedding of hair, it is a good idea to seek advice from a hair loss expert who can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Here at The Belgravia Centre, our fully-qualified hair loss experts can provide clients with a diagnosis of their hair loss condition and give advice as to whether their dandruff is a symptom of a more serious scalp condition. Our hair loss experts will then create a customised hair loss treatment plan according to the specific needs of the patient.

The Belgravia Centre uses combination treatment programmes that include a variety of hair growth boosters in addition to MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved medications that have been proven to promote hair regrowth. Our treatment programmes are the very best available for hair loss and the world's largest collection of 'hair loss success stories', found here on belgraviacentre.com, is proof of that. To find out how The Belgravia Centre can help treat your hair loss, call us on 0800 077 6666 or contact us at the Centre to book a free, no obligation appointment. Alternatively, fill in our online diagnostic form for an individual treatment programme that can be mailed to you anywhere in the world.

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The Belgravia Centre

The Belgravia Centre is a world-renowned group of a hair loss clinic in Central London, UK. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation from anywhere in the world for home-use treatment.

View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which includes the world's largest gallery of hair growth photos and demonstrates the level of success that so many of Belgravia's patients achieve.