The role of Malassezia sp, sebum level and Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) toward the dandruff severity between hijab and non hijab wearing subjects

Abstract

Dandruff is a common symptom in adolescence, which possibly due to increasing of Malassezia sp. colonization, sebum level as well as skin hydration. Wearing hijab is predicted to increase the humidity and sebum level lead to increase the number of Malassezia sp. and dandruff severity. A case-control study was conducted on 19 female with dandruff who wear hijab and 19 female with dandruff who do not wear hijab, age between 18 and 27 years old. The dandruff severity was defined clinically using a scoring system (0-100), only subjects with minimum score of 28 will be included in this study. The sebum and trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) levels were measured with Sebumeter and Tewameter from Courage Khazaka. The Malassezia sp. was examined using microscopic examination of the squama and culture in the Saboraud medium. There were no significant differences found between hijab and non-hijab groups for dandruff severity. No difference found between two groups for sebum level, Malassezia sp. number microscopically, and Malassezia sp. colonization. Only TEWL level in hijab group that was found to be higher than non-hijab group. Wearing hijab does not increase the dandruff severity, sebum level and colonization number of Malassezia sp. Wearing hijab is found to increase the TEWL level. ABSTRAK Ketombe merupakan gejala umum pada masa remaja, yang disebabkan oleh meningkatnya coloni Malassezia sp., tingkat sebum serta hidrasi kulit. Penggunaan jilbab diperkirakan menyebabkan peningkatan kelembaban dan sebum yang akan meningkatkan jumlah Malassezia sp. dan tingkat keparahan ketombe. Sebuah studi kasus-kontrol dilakukan pada 19 wanita berketombe yang memakai jilbab dan 19 wanita berketombe yang tidak memakai jilbab, usia antara 18 dan 27 tahun. Keparahan ketombe didefinisikan secara klinis menggunakan sistem penilaian (0-100), hanya subjek dengan skor minimal 28 yang akan dimasukkan dalam penelitian ini. Tingkat sebum dan trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) diukur dengan Sebumeter dan Tewameter dari Courage Khazaka. Malassezia sp. diperiksa menggunakan pemeriksaan mikroskopik dari skuama dan kultur dalam medium Saboraud. Tidak ada perbedaan signifikan yang ditemukan antara kelompok hijab dan non-hijab untuk keparahan ketombe. Tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan ditemukan antara dua kelompok untuk tingkat sebum, jumlah Malassezia sp. secara mikroskopis, dan koloni Malassezia sp. Ditemukan tingkat TEWL kelompok berhijab lebih tinggi daripada kelompok non-hijab. Memakai jilbab tidak meningkatkan keparahan ketombe, tingkat sebum, serta jumlah kolonisasi Malassezia sp. Memakai hijab meningkatkan tingkat TEWL.

Evaluation of Scalp Hydration and pH Values in Hijab-Wearing and Non-Hijab-Wearing Women

“…Jung et al 68 also stated that there was a statistically significant correlation between improved sebum levels and reduction in pH among Asian women, and vice versa. Etnawati et al 69 stated that the sebum level in hijab-wearing women was not significantly different from that in non-hijab-wearing women. Sebum is degraded by lipase into free fatty acids, which serve as regulators of skin acidity with pH level of 4.5–5.5.…”

Scalp microbiome of healthy women wearing hijab compared to those not wearing hijab: a cross-sectional study

“…Use of hijab can also reduce sunlight exposure to the scalp which reduces the vitamin D source 7 . A previous study also showed that use of hijab was associated with increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of the scalp 8 . Considering these changes, this study aims to compare the scalp microbiome of healthy women wearing hijab to those not wearing hijab.…”