The Truth About Winter And Flakes (And What to Do About It)

It doesn’t have to get as bad as it got for Jack. Image: The Shining, Warner Bros.

Stop scratching your head. Just stop.

Yeah, it feels good in the moment, but you know you’re making it worse.

Besides, even if you’re not looking at your shoulders all day, everyone else has to.

Also, it’s not dry, frigid air that causes dandruff. Technically, it’s your dry scalp that causes it. That, and it’s knack for producing an inordinate amount of “sebum,” a natural oil our skin secretes to stay moisturized.

So, why would oil cause flakes?

And why do some of us get it worse come winter?

We consulted the help of Dr. Benjamin Barankin, award-winning dermatologist and Medical Director of the Toronto Dermatology Centre.

Here’s what’s up (and what to do):

1. Don’t Blame Winter… Entirely. No, winter is not making your scalp snow. But cold air is an accomplice in this case. “Winter can worsen scalp flaking and, as a result, dandruff, since the scalp produces more oils when the air is dry to compensate,” says Dr. Barankin. “With increased oil production, there’s more food for our natural scalp yeast—“Malassezia”—to feed on, which, in turn, causes more flaking.” Basically, some of us are more prone to producing this kind of yeast, and when you combine that with something that produces more, like winter, you get more flakes.

2. Men Have It Worse. Us guys tend to produce more sebum up top, so it’s no surprise we get more flaky there, too. It all comes down to one thing: testosterone. The one thing that can turn mild-mannered men into monsters also makes other important things, like muscle-growth, libidos, and sebum. Since we’ve got ten times (or sometimes more) testosterone than women, we get it worse. So don’t feel so damn bad about it.

2. A Flaky Scalp Causes Dandruff, Not the Other Way Around. In case there’s any confusion on this, dandruff is the byproduct of a flaky scalp. “If the scalp is also red and/or itchy, then we give it the term seborrheic dermatitis,” clarifies Dr. Barankin.

3. Stop Wearing Toques Indoors. “Toques can aggravate flaking a bit as it creates a warm and dark environment, which microorganisms love,” says Barankin.

Unless you’re not an Abercrombie & Fitch model, take off your toque when you’re indoors.

And if you’re worried about hat head, use a styling product that’s pliable, that way you can reshape your new cut in a pinch.

Having a bathroom around helps, too.

4. Use A Great Conditioner. As if we weren’t going to plug ours, especially since it has Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil, both of which help keep hair moisturized. Rub some in every day.

5. Shampooing More Often (If You Don’t Enough): “Particularly with ingredients that help reduce dandruff, like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide, tar, and/or salicylic acid,” says Barankin. That doesn’t mean you should shampoo everyday; If you do that, you could strip your scalp of its sebum. No sebum equals more dryness. More dryness, more flakes.

And most of all, don’t be a hero.

We’d make this a motto if we could, such is its versatility in a man’s life. In this context, if your dandruff won’t budge, and if your scalp gets redder than a tamale, call your doc and have them book something with a reputable dermatologist. Otherwise, everyone will stare at your shoulders.

Everyone.