Gender and Dandruff

If there’s a difference in this world that trumps all others, it’s that of men and women.  There are whole books dedicated to every topic differentiating the two genders.  So even though dandruff occurs on both sides, it’s no surprise that there are differences as to the hows and whys.  There are variations in treatments as well.  So to better understand the underlying causes and consequential treatments in both cases, let us tackle the topic separately. 

If men wonder why they have more dandruff than women, the answer is simple.  The sebaceous glands in men are much larger than those in women.  For those unfamiliar, sebaceous glands are responsible for the production of sebum or oil on the scalp.  A normal amount makes the hair on your scalp looking fuller, shinier and healthier.  Studies suggest however, that too much sebum causes the spread of a certain fungi called malasezzia.  This fungus in turn secretes a certain acid that invades the scalp and produces scruff or dandruff.  Men are also said to perspire more than women.  Combine that with the capacity of men for obesity, and you’ve got a combination to make scalp fungi very happy.  Recent studies have also pointed to male hormones like androgens.  This is not surprising as androgens are connected to hair loss, and sometimes scruff finds itself in scalps with this problem.

Even though men are said to take care of themselves better these days, statistics still point to the fact that women are better at that particular subject.  Since better hygiene habits translate to less dandruff, then this is another reason why men have flakier scalps.  Treating said dandruff needs stronger formulas due to the disclosed reasons.  Products like Clear Anti Dandruff shampoo have supplied stronger solutions to specifically treat men’s dandruff.  Anti androgen solutions are also being developed for this purpose.  If the cause of scruff is seborrehic dermatitis though, men are suggested to shave more often as the condition can spread to the face.  If men develop better hygiene habits and eat healthier, it wouldn’t hurt the cause either.

For women, the same causes can be pointed out, but the cases are milder due to lesser oil production.  Hormone problems can change this however, which is why some women are just as oily as men.  Another difference is how malessezia survives in the scalp.  There are times when the fungi can spread despite the lack of sebum.  This causes a dryer scalp in women, and results in more flaking. 

Treating dandruff in women then requires more moisturizing and oil treatments.  For everyday use, their anti dandruff shampoos are milder to avoid said drying of the scalp.  In general, hygiene and eating habits are a little better, but dieting too much can result in the lack of necessary nutrition to fight dandruff.  Pregnant women have a harder time fighting dandruff too, since the hormonal fluctuations during this period can cause havoc with the scalp.  They are also advised to stay away from anti-dandruff products like Nizoral to avoid the body’s absorption of unwanted chemicals.  Expecting women should consult a doctor for this particular problem.

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