Are men more susceptible to dandruff than women?

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

Beyond biological factors, some socio-cultural elements can also influence the perception that men are more affected by dandruff. Shampoos specifically formulated for men often highlight dandruff control as their primary selling point, whereas products designed for women place greater emphasis on hair aesthetics—such as shine or length—which remain closely associated with standards of femininity. This difference in marketing positioning may further reinforce the notion that dandruff is predominantly a male issue.

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

Scientific data indicate that, despite common misconceptions, dandruff affects in a broadly equivalent manner both men and women. The only differences observed in some studies can be explained by the perception of the problem, which is often more pronounced among men. The results of the main epidemiological studies available to date are summarized in the table below.