You might blame dandruff on dry skin or the wrong shampoo, but did you know stress could be making those flakes worse? That itchy, flaky scalp isn’t just annoying – it’s a problem millions of people deal with worldwide. While there are plenty of reasons dandruff happens, stress is one surprising trigger that often flies under the radar.
- The role of stress in dandruff development
Stress can exacerbate existing skin conditions, including dandruff. When the body experiences stress, it undergoes physiological changes that can impact the skin’s health. One such change is the alteration in hormone levels, particularly an increase in cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels can lead to increased oil production on the scalp, creating an environment conducive to the proliferation of Malassezia, the yeast-like fungus associated with dandruff.
Read more: Are my hormones giving me dandruff - The inflammatory response
Your skin has its own built-in stress response system, much like the body’s main stress-regulating system. When you’re stressed, your skin cells release hormones like CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), which can trigger inflammation. This stress-induced inflammation can weaken your skin’s natural barrier, leading to irritation, dryness and even issues like flaking and itching on the scalp. - Psychological stress and seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis, a more severe form of dandruff, has also been linked to stress. Psychological stress can trigger or worsen seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups. When under stress, the body releases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline to prepare for the fight-or-flight response. - Breaking the cycle
Incorporating stress-reduction techniques and lifestyle changes into your daily routines can have a positive impact on your stress levels, and skin health. Consider:- Regular physical exercise
- Mindfulness meditation
- Deep breathing exercises
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating a balanced diet rich in zinc, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Drinking plenty of water
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol
- Seek professional help if stress or severe dandruff is affecting your quality of life
- Scalp care
While stress management is vital, combining it with proper scalp care enhances the effectiveness of dandruff control. Using medicated shampoos, like Kez, which contains ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, is effective in treating infections of the skin and scalp caused by the fungus Malassezia. When you understand how stress triggers dandruff and find ways to manage it – alongside a good scalp care routine – you can keep those pesky flakes under control. Plus, looking after your mental well-being doesn’t just help you feel better overall; it also leads to a healthier, happier scalp.
References
- Chen, Y., & Lyga, J. (2014). Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging. Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets, 13(3): 177–190. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871528113666140522104422
- Mayo Clinic. (2023). Dandruff Diagnosis & Treatment. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353854 (Accessed: 25 April 2025)
- Misery, L., et al. (2007). Stress et dermatite séborrhéique. Annales de Dermatologie et de Venereologie, 134(11): 833–837. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0151-9638(07)92826-4
- Neurolaunch. (2024). Stress and Dandruff: The Surprising Link and Connection Explained. Neurolaunch. Available from: https://neurolaunch.com/can-dandruff-be-caused-by-stress/ (Accessed: 25 April 2025)
- Ranganathan, S., & Mukhopadhyay, T. (2010). Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 55(2), 130–134. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.62734
- Thau, L., Gandhi, J., & Sharma, S. (2023). Cortisol. StatPearls. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/ (Accessed: 25 April 2025)
