It's no secret that inflammation can have a huge impact on our bodies - from causing pain and swelling, to impacting our overall health. But did you know that inflammation can also affect the health of your hair? In particular, scalp inflammation has been linked to changes in hair texture.
It all starts with the hair follicle. This is the structure in the skin that houses the cells that produce our hair. The cells in the hair follicle are responsible for growing new hair as well as maintaining the health of the follicle itself.
When the body experiences inflammation, this can lead to changes in the cells of the hair follicle. This can impact the follicle's ability to produce new hair, as well as its ability to maintain the existing hair. As a result, inflammation of the scalp can lead to changes in hair texture - including frizziness, roughness, and thinning.
Of course, there are many potential causes of scalp inflammation beyond just changes in hair texture. If you're concerned about scalp inflammation, be sure to talk to a doctor or dermatologist. They can help you identify the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
According to a recent study, the answer is yes. The study, which was conducted by researchers at University of California, found that inflammatory molecules called cytokines can actually change the structure of hair follicles.
"We found that the inflammatory cytokines produced by activated immune cells within the inflamed scalp microenvironment can directly alter key pathways involved in hair follicle development," said senior author Richard L. Gallo, MD, PhD, in a press release.
This means that not only can scalp inflammation lead to changes in hair texture, but it can also cause hair loss. If you're experiencing any changes in your hair texture or loss, it's important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
When the scalp is inflamed, it can lead to a number of changes in the hair. The texture may become coarse or brittle, and the color may change. The scalp may also become dry, itchy, and flaky.
If you're experiencing any of these changes in your hair, it's important to see a dermatologist to rule out any underlying medical conditions. In many cases, however, these changes are due to inflammation of the scalp.
There are a number of things that can cause inflammation of the scalp, including:
- Dandruff
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Styles that pull on the hair (such as tight braids or ponytails)
- Harsh chemicals or heat styling
If you're experiencing any changes in your hair texture or scalp health, it's important to see a dermatologist to rule out any underlying medical conditions. In many cases, however, these changes are due to inflammation of the scalp.