SCALP CONDITIONS
LOOKING AT HOW THE HAIR GROWS AND SHEDS NORMALLY IS IMPORTANT, AS MANY HAIR LOSS ISSUES ARE RELATED TO THE HAIR CYCLE.
The hair grows in a cycle of 3 main phases:
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Anagen (growing – 2-6 years)
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Catagen (transitional – 2 weeks)
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Telogen (resting/shedding – 3-4 months)
Each hair grows independently to the next, with about 80-90% of hair growth, and 10% in the telogen phase at any given time. That equates to a normal scalp shedding about 100 hairs a day!
WHAT ARE COMMON SCALP DISORDERS?
Dandruff - Dandruff is essentially an excess production of skin cells, often associated with the P. Ovale Fungus. This leads to the rapid production and shedding of skin cells, resulting in the appearance of white, oily flakes on the scalp and shoulders, along with an itchy, scaly scalp. Many Americans experience this persistent condition.
Dry Scalp - Almost everyone experiences occasional dryness in their scalp, hair, and skin. When the outer layer of the scalp lacks sufficient moisture, it can lead to flakiness, itchiness, and an unappealing appearance. This condition is marked by a sensation of tightness in the scalp and the shedding of dry skin flakes. Dry scalp is commonly caused by factors such as climate, exposure to swimming pools, extremely hot water, genetic predisposition, sun exposure, and the use of harsh shampoos that strip away the natural sebum on the scalp, leading to moisture loss.
Oily Scalp - Excessive sebum production defines Oily Scalp or seborrhea, a condition influenced by factors such as age, gender, and individual hormone levels.
Psoriasis - Psoriasis is a persistent skin and scalp condition characterized by scaling and inflammation. Approximately 1 in 50 Americans are affected, with 150,000 new cases diagnosed annually. This condition arises when skin cells rapidly multiply beneath the skin's surface, accumulating on the surface before maturing, unlike the usual month-long turnover. In Psoriasis, this process takes only a few days. The typical manifestation includes patches of thick, red, inflamed skin covered with silvery scales known as plaques, which often itch and feel sore. The primary causes are believed to be an immune system disorder, genetics, infections, stress, or medication.
Seborrheic Dermatitis - Dandruff tends to be more prevalent in individuals with oily scalps, as the excess oil provides a conducive environment for the growth of yeast. Seborrheic Dermatitis, characterized by an oily scalp, skin, and hair, is not limited to the teenage years. There is a notable rise in the occurrence of excessive oily scalps among older men and women, believed to be linked to hormonal changes leading to heightened sebum production.