Can Seborrheic Dermatitis Cause Hair Loss? How Red Light Therapy Can Help

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes red, flaky, and itchy patches on the scalp and other areas of the body. It can also affect the eyebrows, eyelids, nose, ears, chest, and groin. Seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious, but it can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing for some people.

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One of the most frequent questions that people with seborrheic dermatitis ask is: can seborrheic dermatitis cause hair loss? The answer is not straightforward, as there are several factors that can influence hair growth and shedding. In this article, we will explore the possible link between seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss, and how best at home red light therapy can help improve both conditions.

How seborrheic dermatitis affects hair growth

Seborrheic dermatitis is thought to be caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast called Malassezia that normally lives on the skin. This yeast feeds on the sebum (oil) that is produced by the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles. When there is too much sebum, the yeast can multiply and cause inflammation, irritation, and scaling of the skin.

This inflammation can affect the hair follicles and interfere with their normal function. The hair follicles may become clogged, inflamed, or damaged by the scratching and rubbing of the scalp. This can lead to hair thinning, breakage, or shedding.

However, seborrheic dermatitis does not directly cause permanent hair loss. The hair follicles are not destroyed by the condition, and they can still produce new hairs once the inflammation subsides. Therefore, any hair loss caused by seborrheic dermatitis is usually temporary and reversible.

How to prevent and treat hair loss caused by seborrheic dermatitis

The best way to prevent and treat hair loss caused by seborrheic dermatitis is to control the symptoms of the condition and reduce the inflammation of the scalp. Some of the steps that can help include:

• Washing the scalp regularly with a gentle shampoo that contains ingredients such as zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, or selenium sulfide. These ingredients can help reduce the yeast overgrowth and remove the excess sebum and scales from the scalp.
• Avoiding harsh chemicals, such as hair dyes, bleaches, or perms, that can irritate or damage the scalp and hair.
• Avoiding scratching or picking at the scalp, as this can worsen the inflammation and cause infections or scarring.
• Using a moisturizer or conditioner that can hydrate and soothe the scalp and prevent dryness and flaking.
• Eating a balanced diet that contains enough protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and other nutrients that are essential for healthy hair growth.
• Managing stress levels, as stress can trigger or worsen seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss.

How red light therapy can help with seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss

Red light therapy is a treatment that uses low-level laser or LED light to stimulate cellular activity and blood circulation in the skin. Red light therapy has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and wound-healing effects on various skin conditions1. It can also increase collagen production and improve skin elasticity2.

Red light therapy can help with seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss in several ways:

• It can reduce the inflammation and itching of the scalp caused by seborrheic dermatitis3. This can help prevent further damage to the hair follicles and promote healing.
• It can increase blood flow to the scalp and deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles4. This can stimulate hair growth and prevent hair shedding.
• It can activate the mitochondria (the energy-producing units) in the cells of the scalp and hair follicles5. This can enhance cellular metabolism and repair processes in the skin and hair.
• It can modulate the immune system and reduce the overreaction to Malassezia yeast6. This can help balance the microflora of the scalp and prevent flare-ups of seborrheic dermatitis.

Red light therapy is a safe, painless, and non-invasive treatment that can be done at home with a device such as a red light therapy cap. A red light therapy cap is a device that fits over your head like a hat and emits red or near-infrared light to your scalp. You can use it for 10 to 30 minutes a day, depending on your device’s instructions.

Red light therapy caps have been proven to be effective in treating various types of hair loss, including genetic (androgenetic alopecia), stress-induced (telogen effluvium), or autoimmune (alopecia areata) hair loss7. They can also help improve the quality and thickness of your hair.

However, red light therapy is not a miracle cure for hair loss. It may take several weeks or months to see noticeable results, and you may need to continue using it regularly to maintain the benefits. Red light therapy is also not suitable for everyone, especially if you have a history of skin cancer, photosensitivity, or epilepsy. You should always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.

Red light therapy dangers

Red light therapy is generally considered safe and has no known side effects, as long as you follow the instructions and precautions of your device. However, there are some potential red light therapy dangers that you should be aware of:

• Overexposure to red light can cause eye damage or irritation. You should always wear protective goggles or glasses when using red light therapy devices, and avoid looking directly at the light source.
• Red light therapy can interact with some medications or supplements that make your skin more sensitive to light, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, or St. John’s wort. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before using red light therapy if you are taking any of these substances.
• Red light therapy can worsen some skin conditions, such as rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis. You should avoid using red light therapy on inflamed, infected, or broken skin.
• Red light therapy can interfere with some medical devices, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, or insulin pumps. You should avoid using red light therapy near these devices or consult your doctor before using it.

Conclusion

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that can cause hair loss by affecting the health and function of the hair follicles. However, this hair loss is usually temporary and reversible once the inflammation of the scalp is reduced.

Red light therapy is a treatment that can help with seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss by reducing inflammation, increasing blood circulation, stimulating cellular activity, and modulating the immune system. Red light therapy can be done at home with a device such as a red light therapy cap, which can improve the appearance and quality of your hair.

Red light therapy is generally safe and has no known side effects, but you should always follow the instructions and precautions of your device and consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.

If you have seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss, you may want to give red light therapy a try. It may not only help you restore your hair, but also boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Have you ever tried red light therapy for seborrheic dermatitis or hair loss? What was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!