Since a few years ago a study by the Hirslanden Clinic in Lucerne discovered that men's beards are a gathering place for microbes and bacteria and are even dirtier than dog furthe topic of beard hygienedeserves a permanent place in men's care. Fortunately, there are already a variety of beard shampoos, beard conditioners, beard oils and beard balms that ensure that bearded people look good. But while it's almost commonplace to see men casually talking about their favorite beard oil brands, you rarely hear them talk about the problem of beard dandruff. Yes, beard dandruff exists, and luckily there are also beard dandruff treatments that can help. But before you self-diagnose and buy a handful of products, let's get to the bottom of the causes of beard dandruff so you can better understand why dandruff occurs under your beard. We spoke to experts to learn more about the cause and treatment options for beard dandruff.
Beard dandruff is essentially seborrheic dermatitis that typically affects the face and scalp. Symptoms include red skin and dandruff on the scalp and hair, which may be accompanied by itching. The telltale symptoms of beard dandruff include white scales in the beard and red onesSkin on the chin under theBart.
What are the causes of dandruff in the beard?
Dandruff is primarily caused by a fungus called Malassezia globosa, which thrives in an oil-rich environment - so the scalp is an ideal place for it to form. The fungus breaks down sebum lipids into oleic acid, which irritates the skin and leads to dandruff. Overproduction of skin cells can also contribute to dandruff. When skin cells regenerate too quickly, deposits can form, creating an ideal environment for dandruff-causing fungi.
What is not dandruff in the beard?
Just because you have a few flakes in your beard doesn't necessarily mean you're dealing with beard dandruff. Dry skin can also cause skin to peel, which can show up as white flakes in your beard. How do you tell the difference? With beard dandruff, the skin looks normal to pink or red, the scales are larger, yellower, and greasier, and the dandruff never seems to end. If the scales come from dry skin, the skin may appear whitish or cracked, and the scales are dry and small.
Of course, if you think you have beard dandruff, it is best to see a dermatologist to make a correct diagnosis and treat the beard dandruff.
Who gets beard dandruff?
If you normally have scalp dandruff, you may also be more prone to beard dandruff. Because if the skin cells on the scalp regenerate too quickly, it is normal for the cells in the beard to do the same. Men are affected more often than women because the sebaceous glands react to androgens, i.e. male hormones. While there is no known predisposition to a specific skin type, the redness is less noticeable in people with darker skin. However, the scaling is similar.
The length of the beard also plays a role in the development and treatment of beard dandruff. The longer your beard, the more likely you are to get beard dandruff and the harder it is to reach the skin when washing. This allows oils and dead skin particles to build up, which promotes the growth of fungi and can lead to dandruff.
Alanger Hipster-BartSo needs twice as much care, while a shorter, neater beard closer to the face is easier to manage.
Treatment of beard dandruff
Treating beard dandruff can be complicated and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, our experts agree that a three-part routine of exfoliation, cleansing and moisturizing is most effective.
Peeling
Exfoliating the skin prevents pores from clogging and excess oil from being produced. Experts recommend using a beard brush, whose soft bristles are less likely to irritate the skin than physical exfoliation. Gently move the brush over the skin and entire beard to remove dead skin cells and excess oil. However, don't overdo it, as excessive brushing could irritate your already sensitive skin even more and lead to excessive oil production.
Wash
It is also recommended to use an antifungal shampoo such as Head & Shoulders or Nizoral. Ingredients like zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole reduce the overgrowth of the problem-causing fungus. If you prefer an organic product, you should choose an anti-dandruff shampoo with tea tree oil, which is known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Moisturize
Since frequent washing and exfoliating can strip the skin of its natural oils, it is important to keep the skin moisturized to protect it from drying out, which could lead to increased sebum production. When it comes to treating beard dandruff, a typical facial moisturizer isn't enough.
Use beard oil with antioxidant plant oils like pomegranate seed oil, grapeseed oil, and sweet almond oil, which can regulate sebum production and calm breakouts. Apply the oil first to the root of the beard and then to the entire beard. Massage it into your beard hair so that it can penetrate the skin optimally.
The key to combating beard dandruff is to follow through with treatment. To prevent beard dandruff, it is important to keep your beard clean and moisturized. Make sure you establish a beard care routine and stick to it every day.
When to see a dermatologist
If you try the beard dandruff treatment routine above and don't see results after two weeks, a prescription treatment may be advisable. This can include anything from stronger topical products to steroid drops.
What if it's just dry skin?
As already mentioned, even normal dry skin can cause dandruff in the beard, and in this case there are a variety of possibilities. Daily skin and beard care is essential. This means you should wash your face daily (as if we had to tell you that) and thoroughly moisturize the skin at least twice a day. Then apply a high-quality beard balm.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and needs oneadequate hydration.Therefore, you should first try increasing your water intake to hydrate your skin from within.
Conclusion
Beard dandruff happens to even the best of us, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. When it comes to treating beard dandruff, you have a variety of options to effectively treat the problem and prevent it from recurring.
You might also be interested in: “HOW DOES YOUR BEARD GROW FASTER? ACCELERATE THE PROCESS OF BEARD GROWTH IN A HEALTHY WAY!“
