How Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis & Dandruff Affect People With Black Skin & Textured Hair

White skin flakes and an itchy scalp — what comes to mind? You probably answered dandruff, and that's absolutely right.

Dandruff is a highly prevalent skin condition. In fact, research suggests that it affects 50% of the world's population! Theoretically, this means that every other person you meet has had dandruff at some point.

What you may have heard less of is another closely related skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis, which is sometimes referred to as scalp eczema. Both seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff have overlapping symptoms, like flaking skin and itchiness. They also tend to share similar risk factors and causes.

Since these conditions are common, it's important to be able to recognize their appearance and symptoms. Here's the thing; these symptoms might look different on darker skin tones compared to lighter skin.

Researchers have found that scalp seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are common concerns in black people. By understanding how these skin conditions can appear on darker skin, you'll be better informed on what steps you should take next to improve your scalp health.

Let's explore how seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff affect the hair and scalp of darker-skinned individuals.

Table of Contents:

• Dandruff vs Seborrheic Dermatitis Symptoms
• Symptoms of Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis on Black Scalp and Textured/Black Hair
• What Causes Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis?
• Risk Factors of Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff

• How to Manage Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis in People with Textured or Black Hair

• Medications and Shampoos
• Lifestyle Modifications 
• Natural Remedies
• The Calming Seborrheic Serum and Cleansing Dandruff Shampoo
• Are Hair Oils Effective and Safe for Dandruff/Seborrheic Dermatitis?
• An All-In-One Solution For Black and Textured Hair  

Dandruff vs Seborrheic Dermatitis Symptoms

You might wonder what differentiates dandruff from its cousin, seborrheic dermatitis. Both share symptoms like itching and flaky skin, but there are some distinct features that set the two apart.

Firstly, dandruff usually causes small white skin flakes to form, while seborrheic dermatitis can lead to larger flakes that can be whitish or yellowish.

Since seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition, it can also lead to redness, irritation, and inflammation of the scalp. In contrast, dandruff is not linked to any skin inflammatory reaction.

In more serious cases, seborrheic dermatitis can be associated with hair loss, which is unlikely for dandruff.

Finally, dandruff is typically confined to the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis, on the other hand, may affect other parts of the body, such as the face, chest, and back.

Symptoms of Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis on Black Scalp and Textured/Black Hair

Dandruff generally appears with similar symptoms for all skin types and colors. In contrast, seborrheic dermatitis may present differently depending on the color of your skin.

In black people, seborrheic dermatitis may lead to the following symptoms: [2]

• Hypopigmentation or skin discoloration
• Greasy and scaly patches of skin that appear lighter in color
• Less distinct inflammation or redness
• Affected areas commonly involve the hairline

Learning how seborrheic dermatitis can appear based on your skin tone will help you recognize the condition and seek the right treatment options for your scalp and skin.

What Causes Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are thought to share the same cause — and the culprit is a fungus called Malassezia [3]. Malassezia yeast resides on the skin. When its population increases, it may lead to symptoms such as skin flaking, itching, inflammation, and irritation.

This fungus thrives on areas of the skin with a greater density of sebaceous glands, which release an oily substance known as sebum. This is why dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis tend to affect the scalp since it contains more oil glands.

As the Malassezia fungus feeds on sebum, it metabolizes it and releases fatty acids that can irritate the skin. Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis can sometimes also be found on the face, chest, and back, which are also areas with high sebum production.

Risk Factors of Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff

You may be at a greater risk of experiencing seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff due to the following factors:

• Feeling stressed or anxious
• Having a weaker immune system
• Experiencing changes in the weather

Aside from that, seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are also common issues in African Americans due to a few possible reasons. They are as follows: [2]

• Having tight hairstyles
• Using hair oils on the scalp
• Using hair extensions

These factors might contribute to increased irritation and a buildup of oil on the skin, which can worsen symptoms [3].

How to Manage Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis in People with Textured or Black Hair

There are various management options available for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

Let's explore them!

1. Medications and Shampoos

Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis can be soothed using medicated shampoos. These shampoos typically contain antifungal ingredients such as ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and zinc pyrithione [4].

Depending on your hair texture, a little more care should be given when picking and using a medicated shampoo. African American hair is usually more brittle and dry, which may make it more prone to breakage. Medicated shampoos may be incredibly drying to the hair shaft, even more so if you also use heat and chemicals to style your hair [2]. That's because the antifungal ingredients in these medicated shampoos, like pyrithione zinc, can dry out the scalp.

If you have chemically treated hair or brittle hair, try applying your medicated shampoos directly to the scalp. It may also help to pick a product that does not require consistent hair washing to be effective, such as a ketoconazole foam solution that can be left in and applied directly to the scalp rather than a ketoconazole shampoo [2].

2. Lifestyle Modifications

Your lifestyle is another lever to pull when tackling dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Your day-to-day decisions hold more power than you might realize.

Here are some lifestyle modifications you can implement to tilt the scale in your favor:

• Manage stress: Stress is one of the risk factors of seborrheic dermatitis [5]. Reflect on your most common stress triggers and actively brainstorm and experiment with different ways to reduce them. Certain relationship or work boundaries might need to be drawn to safeguard your peace and minimize the day-to-day stress you experience.

• Avoid heat/chemicals/harsh hair products: Heat and harsh chemicals might cause your hair to become even more brittle and dry, leading to hair breakage. Many medicated shampoos are also thought to dry out the hair [2]. Thus, avoiding heat and other harsh hair products may help preserve your hair's health while you're on a medicated shampoo.

• Avoid tight hairstyles. Try to go for loose hairstyles with minimal tension. These can lower the stress on your hair shaft and reduce breakage and hair loss.

• Wash your hair with the right frequency: At least a couple of times a week is ideal. Overwashing can lead to a dry scalp and skin flaking. At the same time, washing too infrequently may contribute to the buildup of oil and hair products on the scalp, leading to further irritation and inflammation [2].

3. Natural Remedies

If you'd like to add natural remedies to your management plan, there are several options you can consider. Do note that it's always best to perform a skin patch test with a small amount of the solution or substance before applying it to the affected areas.

Here are some natural remedies that can be helpful for dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis:

• Apple cider vinegar: This is one of the most popular natural remedies for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. However, it cannot be applied directly to the skin. Instead, dilute it with some water to create a solution containing one part vinegar and four parts water. This will help minimize the risk of skin irritation. Based on the results, you can adjust the concentration of the solution.

• Dead sea salt solution: Add some dead sea salt to warm water and allow it to dissolve. Before application, allow the solution to cool to room temperature, then gently massage it into your skin. You can leave it on for a few hours before rinsing it off.

• Manuka honey: This medical-grade honey is sourced from the manuka trees in New Zealand and Australia. You may apply it directly to your skin or dilute it with a bit of water before applying it. If you'd like, you can place a bandage or gauze over the application site to prevent the honey from getting all over your clothes or belongings.

• MCT oil: Some research suggests that MCT oil has antifungal properties and can help inhibit the growth of Malassezia [6]. When picking an MCT product, be sure to get one that does not contain any lauric acid, as this fatty acid can also become a food source for Malassezia. Our MCT Scalp Moisturizer (enhanced with tea tree and rosemary) has helped tons of people with textured hair to find relief from flakes, itching, and build-up on their scalp.

• Tea tree oil: If applied directly to the skin in its undiluted form, tea tree oil can cause irritation and redness. To reduce this risk, you can first dilute it in water or a Malassezia-safe carrier oil, such as MCT oil.

You might see some results by using any one of these remedies. But, of course, you'll achieve better outcomes when utilizing them in combination with each other.

4. The Calming Seborrheic Serum and Cleansing Dandruff Shampoo

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so it makes sense that these skin conditions, though not life-threatening, can still be disruptive and frustrating. We 100% understand that.

The Calming Seborrheic Serum and Cleansing Dandruff Shampoo are formulated with this in mind. They have been carefully developed for people with moody skin by people with moody skin. That's why our formulas are completely Malassezia-safe, so you can rest assured that they do not contain ingredients that can fuel Malassezia growth.

These products are also powered by a three-step process to deal with Malassezia while preserving the health of your scalp and hair. They target Malassezia by breaking down its protective barrier, also known as the biofilm. This allows the antifungal ingredients to clear away the fungus more effectively. The final step is to hydrate and nourish the skin with rejuvenating and gentle ingredients.

If you have scalp seborrheic dermatitis, the Calming Seborrheic Serum helps to soothe and calm the skin by reducing itch, inflammation, and flaking.

The Cleansing Dandruff Shampoo is ideal for those with dandruff. It can reduce flaking and itching while nourishing your hair follicles and promoting hair growth. You can combine both products for even better results.

Are Hair Oils Effective and Safe for Dandruff/Seborrheic Dermatitis? 

Research shows that hair oils can actually worsen scalp eczema and dandruff.

Many people with textured or black hair use hair oils, which contain fatty acids that become a food source for Malassezia. This could be one reason your symptoms keep returning or won't go away.

If you want to use hair oil to hydrate your scalp and hair, pick one that is Malassezia-safe. The only two such oils that fulfill this criterion are MCT oil (that does not contain lauric acid) and squalane oil.

If you like, you can also add essential oils to these oil preparations before applying them to your scalp. Essential oils like tea tree oil have antifungal properties, while others, like rosemary oil, can help support hair growth.

An All-In-One Solution For Black and Textured Hair 

Many anti-dandruff products contain chemicals that can be harsh on black or textured hair, thus increasing hair breakage. This is why we've put together formulas that are effective at combatting Malassezia yet gentle on the hair and skin.

In fact, the Cleansing dandruff shampoo can help promote hair growth, while the Calming Seborrheic Serum helps to keep the skin nourished and hydrated. We're also big on minimalism, so we don't include any parabens, sulfates, fragrances, or hard-to-pronounce chemicals for greater peace of mind. We created these formulas to help you enjoy a happy and healthy scalp without worry!