Beards have no purpose. In contrast to our eyebrows and eyelashes that shield our eyes from dust and debris, hair on the chin and jawline are biologically pointless. So why is it that a lush beard that a lush beard tends to reflect manliness?
Several studies, though yielding inconsistent results, suggest that beards are loved for socio-sexual reasons, one of them being a male-specific trait. Beards also draw attention for a less lovely reason, beard dandruff (beardruff).
What causes beardruff?
Like regular dandruff, beardruff is caused by the yeast in our skin called Malassezia. Coupled with genetic and environmental factors, the skin under your beard will:
-> Turn red and become scaly and flaky.
-> Have skin flakes, also known as dandruff.
-> Itch persistently.
How to treat beardruff?
You could try these methods for at least a week or two until you start seeing results:
-> Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells.
Gently massage the skin under your beard with a beard brush that has soft bristles. This will distribute the oils from your skin and soften the beard hair.
-> Shampoo or cleanse your beard.
Wash your beard with a medicated shampoo that consists of dandruff-fighting ingredients like:
-> Pyrithione zinc.
-> Coal tar.
-> Selenium sulfide.
-> Tea tree oil.
Lather and massage the shampoo gently onto the beard hairs and the skin underneath. Rinse after one to two minutes with lukewarm water. If the shampoo makes your skin dry, opt for a cleanser designed especially for beards.
-> Moisturise to rehydrate and protect your skin after shampooing.
Apply a moisturiser while your skin is damp. Then rub in a few drops of beard oil and work it from the tip to the ends of the hairs. If you have acne-prone skin, go for a simpler, non comedogenic oil (it won’t clog your pores), like argan oil.
Growing a beard can be a struggle for some men. To top it off, dandruff would be a nightmare
that could bring down one’s self-esteem. Nevertheless, do not falter. Try out this simple
routine or speak to a doctor for more treatment options.
