The Ultimate Guide To Men's Dandruff

Dandruff can be embarrassing, we get it; even though most of us will experience it at some point. Research published in The International Journal of Trichology has shown around 50% of us have to deal with it after puberty leading to hundreds of millions of pounds spent (and misspent) each year.

Dandruff is an extremely common scalp condition, so don’t panic. Read on to find out more.

What is Dandruff and what are its symptoms?

Dandruff is an annoying and irritating skin condition. It’s unsightly and not easily hidden. If you have it, you will likely have an oily scalp and see small flakes of skin either in your comb, on your clothes, or sitting in your hair. These flakes are often slightly yellowed and will be more noticeable in darker hair colours.

Your scalp may also be quite itchy and even feel a little sore. Men with naturally oily skin are more prone to Dandruff as an excess of sebum in the skin can bring about an increase in yeast and irritation to the skin. Dandruff will appear as greasy flakes, rather than the typical dry flakes.

Be aware that sometimes Dandruff can also be a symptom of various skin conditions, such as eczema, as well as a breakdown of your immune system. If your scalp does become sore or severely irritated, you’ll need to visit a certified medical professional or doctor.

What causes Dandruff?

Dandruff is directly caused by a fungus called Malassezia, a type of yeast. This is a build-up of yeast on the scalp, which can already exist on the surface of the scalp. This yeast feeds on the natural oils on the scalp, leaving an acid behind which irritates the skin. The production of new skin cells goes into overdrive to get rid of this irritating acid and in turn, produces flakes of skin.

What can make Dandruff worse?

Awful, terrible, cheap shampoos that lie

It’s not snobbery or a conspiracy by ‘Big Hair Care’, but cheap, supermarket shampoos with cheap ingredients are very often not as good for your hair and scalp, particularly if you have problems.

A few well-known shampoos utilise a nasty little science-trick. Our scalp and skin is actually acidic (5.5 on the 14 pH scale - 7 being neutral) so they balance their products to be more alkali than your skin (around 6.5-7).

This initially reduces scalp problems as the other ingredients do some work, and also make your skin less hospitable to fungi and bacteria; but they never fully get rid of the issue.

But when you stop using it, your scalp snaps back to being acidic, and all your scalp issues come back with a vengeance, particularly during the shift. This leads you to believe that only this product works for you - so even if you take one thing from this article, stop using cheap shampoos.

Dead skin build up

As much as it seems strange to have both an oily scalp and dry flakes, it’s a very common process. Our skin’s barrier is made up of oil and water.

When the water is removed (often through too harsh products and overwashing) then our oil production tries to compensate - but without this balance, skin doesn’t shed nicely and evenly, coming away as dust and flakes. This build up of dead skin plus oil is prime breeding ground for the Malassezia fungus.

Shampooing (too much or too little)

Despite some myths that washing your hair more often can cause Dandruff, it’s very important to keep your hair clean. Leaving dead skin cells to build up on the scalp can cause an overproduction of oil (sebum) which can then lead to seborrheic dermatitis or fungal infection.

On the flip side, over-shampooing can strip the skin of any natural oil and can therefore also cause Dandruff symptoms. It’s all about keeping a balance!

Not using conditioner

By not using a conditioner after shampooing, you’re left with a scalp stripped of moisture and forcing your skin to try and compensate. This creates surface dryness, a perfect place for the Dandruff-causing fungus to grow.

Skin sensitivity (also known as contact dermatitis)

We all react differently to products, and it can be that your skin is simply sensitive to some haircare products. Dandruff can be a result of your skin being irritated by a certain ingredient in a product.

Environment

If you are exposed to extreme weather conditions (both hot and cold), it can contribute to an increased risk of Dandruff. Dandruff tends to be more common in the winter, with a lack of humidity in the air. Big changes from cold to hot such as air conditioning.

Is it Dandruff or is it just dry scalp?

Dandruff and dry scalp are two distinct scalp conditions with different causes and characteristics.

Dandruff is primarily caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Malassezia, resulting in oily flakes, itchiness, and an inflammatory response. The scalp is often oily and the flakes can be large and have a yellowish tint.

On the other hand, dry scalp is caused by a lack of moisture or oil on the scalp and is characterised by smaller, less oily flakes, along with itching and dryness.

Treating dry scalp involves moisturising the scalp with gentle shampoos, reducing washing frequency, and incorporating scalp oils or conditioners to restore hydration.

Is Dandruff contagious?

There’s no need to panic, Dandruff is not contagious. It’s caused by a combination of factors, including the overgrowth of a naturally-occurring yeast, as well as certain medical conditions, stress, and hormonal changes.

Although Dandruff itself isn’t contagious, some of the conditions that cause it might be contagious. For example, if the underlying cause is a fungal infection, then that infection can be contagious and can be passed to another person by using grooming tools, such as a brush or comb

Can stress cause Dandruff in men?

Stress can be a contributing factor to the development of Dandruff. When we experience stress, our bodies release cortisol, which is a hormone that can affect our skin and scalp health. Stress can also weaken the immune system, making it easier for fungal infections to take hold and cause Dandruff.

A Singapore-based trichologist, Kim Fong, stated in a recent article for the South China Morning Post that they had noticed an increase in stress-related Dandruff during the pandemic. (source)

Can diet affect Dandruff in men?

Maintaining a balanced diet is not just good for you internally, but it can also affect the condition of your skin. A lack of omega-3 in your diet, and a lack of water, can dehydrate the skin. Another contributing factor is the consumption of foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates. Both of these can contribute to the growth of yeast in the body, including the scalp.

Does Dandruff cause hair loss?

Dandruff, on its own, does not directly cause hair loss. However, if left untreated severe Dandruff can lead to scalp inflammation which can damage the hair follicles and interfere with normal hair growth. (source)

Scratching can also cause mechanical damage to the hair and scalp which can break the hair and cause thinning of the hair.

Are men more prone to Dandruff than women?

As men, we’re more prone to Dandruff because of our increased oil production, larger oil glands, hormonal factors and hair length. We’re also more likely to not use separate conditioners, use cheap shampoos and shampoo more regularly than women. This is because our shorter hair can take it without appearing as damaged but strips the scalp’s moisture barrier, causing it to respond with even more oil. It’s a vicious cycle.

How to get rid of Dandruff

Firstly, it is important to work out what is causing your Dandruff and then you can tackle it head-on.

If you are experiencing a fungal or more severe skin condition on your scalp, which results in Dandruff, it’s wise to head to your pharmacist, GP or dermatologist (start with one and work up to the other). They will be able to help you with a treatment plan to soothe the irritation.

Try using a good-quality anti-Dandruff shampoo and conditioner. As with anything, it will often require a bit of trial and error as to what product works best for you. It's best to try a shampoo/conditioner change out for at least a month to see if it's right for your skin type. At the end of month one, you should notice some improvement and if not, it may be right to switch.

Jason Dandruff Relief 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

Whilst 2-in-1s are often not as effective as a separate shampoo and conditioner, we chose to stock the JASON Dandruff Relief 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner because we found it really effective and our customers have made it a bestseller.

It’s loaded with pyrithione zinc to kill the Dandruff fungus and whilst jojoba oil hydrates the scalp without making it oil (trust me, we know that sounds insane when you already have an oily scalp). And, for a 2-in-1, it leaves your hair looking incredible.

JASON Dandruff Relief 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner

Dermatologically-Tested Formula Cleanses, Calms & Conditions

$24.00

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The London Grooming Company Tea Tree Shampoo

Once you’ve found a shampoo that reduces the number of flakes of skin, you should be on the road to getting rid of it. Tea-tree oil products are great for their anti-inflammatory properties and anti-bacterial and fungus killing abilities and will help soothe the skin.We highly recommend The London Grooming Company Tea Tree Shampoo for anyone with sensitive skin.

As this doesn’t have a conditioner because it’s been formulated to be the most effective cleanser possible, look at the matching Tea Tree Conditioner.

The skin on your scalp is surprisingly sensitive and when it comes to Dandruff, hygiene and the health of your skin are key. You can read more about the importance of scalp health here.

The London Grooming Company Tea Tree Shampoo

Nourishing Formula Ideal for Sensitive Skin Types

$24.00

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How often should men wash their hair to prevent Dandruff?

How often you wash your hair to prevent Dandruff can vary depending on individual hair type, scalp condition and personal preference.

If you get the right, high-quality shampoo and conditioner and have short, cropped hair that’s medium thickness or less and fairly straight - once a day is ok but every other day is preferable. If your hair is curlier, thicker and/or longer, then 2-3 days is more preferable but with these hair types, we’d definitely suggest a targeted, nourishing, separate conditioner and not to rely on 2-in-1 solutions.

Are there any at-home remedies we can use for Dandruff?

Don’t. It’s super-tempting to follow a Tik-Tok and make something insane out of lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda and toothpaste (that’s not something anyone has specifically suggested but you get the gist). At home treatments rarely work and are tricks of convenience.

Cosmetic science is a science and an artform and you would be staggered by what goes into making a single shampoo, conditioner or scalp treatment. Trust those who have made this their life’s work to help you solve one of the most common hair and scalp conditioners there is.

Shampoo or Conditioner ingredients to consider or avoid

The controversy about sulphates - are they really bad?

Sulphates are a common ingredient in grooming products because they’re very effective at removing dirt and debris. Like any skincare ingredient, too much is a bad thing and their efficacy, safety and gentleness is dependent on what else they’re formulated with.

The two most common sulphates are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES). Both of these are safe to use but if you have a particularly dry scalp or sensitive skin, there are alternatives such as the JASON Biotin Shampoo with coconut-derived alternatives, and whilst this is good for dryer scalp, it is not a dedicated Dandruff shampoo.

Silicones

Silicon - Silicones (like dimethicone) are sometimes added to shampoo (and other haircare products) to help add moisture and smooth out the hair. They can help to seal the outer cuticle of the hair strand and create a ‘healthy’ shine. Unfortunately, non-water soluble silicones, such as dimethicone, tend to sit on the shaft of the hair causing it to suffocate.

A buildup of silicon on the scalp can also clog the pores. By blocking the pores and denying the hair from accessing/retaining moisture, we are at risk of an increase in hair fallout and an overproduction of sebum on the scalp - not a great situation!

Synthetic Fragrance

We all like great smelling products, but when you’re dealing with Dandruff, synthetic fragrances can be an unnecessary additive.

Are there any side effects of anti-Dandruff shampoos?

Not really or more than using any other cosmetic product. We’ve talked here about finding something that works for you and so some trial and error may be required to find something that effectively treats your Dandruff.

Anti-Dandruff shampoos on the market are tried and tested before they hit the shelves so they are considered safe to use. It’s important to read the directions on how to use your anti-Dandruff shampoo, and if you experience any side effects such as severe dryness, discolouration of the hair, itching, or an allergic reaction, you must stop using the product and seek professional advice.