Are men more susceptible to dandruff than women?

The dandruff is characterised by the presence of fine whitish or yellowish flakes that detach from the scalp. They are generally associated with itching and may sometimes be accompanied by irritation or inflammation. The dandruff are due to accelerated cellular turnover, where dead epidermal cells shed more rapidly than normal. This phenomenon can be exacerbated by various factors, ranging from excessive sebum production to the proliferation of certain yeasts, such as Malassezia, which is naturally present on the scalp and capable of feeding on the lipids in the sebum. In some individuals, dandruff may be linked to genetic predispositions or specific environmental conditions (cold, humidity...). Other factors, such as stress or the use of overly harsh hair products, may also contribute to its onset.

Although benign, dandruff can have a significant aesthetic and psychological impact.

It is often suggested that men are more prone to dandruff than women. This can be largely explained by the the role of male sex hormones, particularly testosterone and its derivatives, which stimulate sebaceous gland activity, thereby increasing sebum production. However, in excess, sebum provides an ideal substrate for the proliferation of yeasts of the genus Malassezia, the microorganisms that accelerate epidermal cell renewal and lead to the formation of visible flakes known as dandruff.

Beyond biological factors, certain sociocultural elements can also influence the perception that men are more affected by dandruff. Shampoos specifically formulated for men often emphasise dandruff control as the primary selling point, whereas products aimed at women tend to focus more on the hair’s aesthetic qualities, such as shine or length, which remain closely tied to feminine ideals. This difference in positioning may serve to reinforce the idea that dandruff is predominantly a male problem.

In reality, dandruff affects men and women to a comparable extent.

Scientific evidence shows that, despite common misconceptions, dandruff affects in a generally equivalent manner men and women. The only differences observed in some studies are due to perception of the issue, often greater in men. The results of the main epidemiological studies available to date are summarised in the table below.

• TAIEB C. & al. Epidemiology of dandruff, scalp pruritus and associated symptoms. Acta dermato-venereologica (2013).

• WIKRAMANAYAKE C. & al. Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff: a comprehensive review. Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology (2015).

• JEGOU-PENOUIL. Les pellicules. Société Française de Dermatologie (2019).

• SANUSI J. & al. Prevalence of dandruff among the pupils and staff of some selected public schools in Katsina state. UMYU Scientifica (2023).

• SHAPIRO J. & al. Large-scale international study on scalp seborrheic dermatitis: Prevalence, demographics, healthcare trends and quality of life. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2025).