Dandruff has an altered stratum corneum ultrastructure that is improved with zinc pyrithione shampoo
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy of scalp tape strips indicates that dandruff scalp possesses abnormal stratum corneum (SC) ultrastructure that is normalized by treatment with small-particle zinc pyrithione (ZPT). Similar abnormalities occur throughout the scalp of those with dandruff, even where no flaking is present. SC abnormalities are consistent with hyperproliferation, including parakeratosis, lipid droplets within corneocytes, few desmosomes, corneocyte membrane interdigitation, and excessive disorganized intercellular lipid. Reversal of SC abnormalities would require treatment of the cause(s) of dandruff, not merely flake removal. A protocol was developed to quantify scalp structural abnormalities by scoring cells from scalp tape strips for yeast number, amount of intercellular lipid, normal intercellular lipid structures, prevalence of intracellular lipid droplets, parakeratotic corneocytes, and corneocyte interdigitation. This protocol was used to compare dandruff and normal SC to dandruff SC treated with either commercial ZPT-containing shampoo or a placebo. Treatment with commercial ZPT shampoo significantly returned SC ultrastructure to normal, suggesting control of the cause of dandruff.
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Barrier structural abnormalities have been detected in dandruff scalp by electron microscopy, including intercellular Malassezia yeasts, changes in corneocyte shape and corneodesmosomes, and disrupted lipid lamellar structure.
“In support of this notion, barrier structural abnormalities have been detected in dandruff scalp by electron microscopy that included intercellular Malassezia yeasts, changes in corneocyte shape and corneodesmosomes, and disrupted lipid lamellar structure [23,53,66].”
From Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review (2015) · cites this paper as [53]
These metabolites cause aberrant keratinocyte differentiation, resulting in stratum corneum abnormalities such as parakeratosis, intracellular lipid droplets, and irregular corneocyte envelope.
“These metabolites cause aberrant keratinocytes differentiation, resulting in stratum corneum abnormalities such as parakeratosis, intracellular lipid droplets, and irregular corneocyte envelope [53].”
From Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review (2015) · cites this paper as [53]
Altered corneodesmosomal hydrolysis may disrupt lipid organization and disturb the desquamation process, leading to aberrant barrier function.
“In SD and dandruff, however, altered corneodesmosomal hydrolysis may disrupt lipid organization and disturb the desquamation process, leading to aberrant barrier function [53,68].”
From Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review (2015) · cites this paper as [53]
Such changes lead to disrupted epidermal barrier function and trigger inflammatory response, with or without visible local inflammation.
“Such changes lead to disrupted epidermal barrier function and trigger inflammatory response, with or without visible local inflammation.”
From Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review (2015) · cites this paper as [53]
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Zinc in skin pathology and care
Bibi Nitzan, Y., & Cohen, A. D. (2006) · Journal of Dermatological Treatment · doi:10.1080/09546630600791434 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Turner, G. A., Matheson, J. R., Li, G. ‐., Fei, X. ‐., Zhu, D., & Baines, F. L. (2013) · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · doi:10.1111/ics.12007 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Warner, R. R., Schwartz, J. R., Boissy, Y., & Dawson, T. L.
- Affiliations
- Procter & Gamble (United States) (US)
- ORCID
- Dawson, Thomas L.
- Venue
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2001-12
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 897-903
- ISSN
- 0190-9622 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2030000641
- Cited by
- 148
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 1.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Nail Diseases and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Hair Growth and Disorders
- Keywords
- dandruff, zinc pyrithione, parakeratosis, desmosomes
- MeSH terms
- Female, Hair Preparations, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Electron, Organometallic Compounds, Pyridines, Scalp, Scalp Dermatoses
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