Dandruff: It’s a man’s woe

Men have bigger problems than keeping themselves well groomed with healthy hair. However, dandruff problems put things in a different perspective.

Men should understand that they are more likely to have dandruff problems precisely because of their male genetic makeup. Thus, it is important for men to pay more attention to the condition of their scalp.

Clinical studies conducted in Thailand between January 2003 and October 2004 revealed that men suffer dandruff up to 44 percent more than women. A male’s scalp is oilier due to larger sebaceous glands and on average can produce twice the level of oil.

With men sweating 50 percent more than women, the scalp tends to become more greasy and oily. Men also have a weaker scalp barrier because of their scalp’s lower ceramide levels. This can make men more prone to sensitivity, dryness, redness, irritation and other uncomfortable scalp conditions.

Dr. Lia Nebrida-Idea, a dermatologist at St. Luke’s Medical Center, says men have a tendency to have dandruff more because of male hormones called androgens that trigger the production of excess oils that the fungus Malassezia feeds on.

Dead skin cells appear faster than normal because of the overactive fungus. These dead cells fall off in clumps that appear white and flaky. 

“People don’t realize that they need to address dandruff problems. If unattended, dandruff may spread down to the face, back, and the scrotum area,” Nebrida-Idea said.

Man’s best defense, she further explains, would be to maintain good hygiene by washing regularly with a pure anti-fungal shampoo.

Anti-fungal and nourishing ingredients make an anti-dandruff shampoo work more effectively.

There is even a bigger chance of getting more effective dandruff control for men if they use anti-dandruff shampoos that specifically addresses men’s predisposition to dandruff.

One such shampoo is Clear Men with Zinc Vitanol 2.0. The active ingredient Zinc Vitanol includes sunflower oil, vitamin E, zinc minerals, and amino acids, elements that not only prevent dandruff from coming back, but also nourish the scalp and hair as well.