What Are Beard Flakes?
Beard flakes, also known as dander or beardruff, are a common issue faced by many beard-wearers. Tiny white or dry skin flakes that become trapped in or around the facial hair, beard flakes can be embarrassing and cause itchiness that’s hard to ignore. Depending on the severity, you may notice your face and clothing covered in small chunks of skin. But there are solutions to this annoying dilemma.
How Are Beard Flakes Caused?
The root cause of beard flakes is something called seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory condition of the skin that’s usually caused by a combination of bacteria and natural skin oils. This can be caused by anything from a poor diet to genetics, to even an imbalance in hormones, for example in men. Poor hygiene can also be a contributing factor, as beard flakes are attracted to sweat, creating a cycle where the flakes worsen over time.
How To Get Rid Of Beard Flakes
The good news is that it’s relatively simple to get rid of beard flakes. The key to getting rid of them is to keep your facial hair clean and hydrated. To do this, gently wash your beard with warm water and facial cleanser 1-2 times per week. Afterwards, apply a facial moisturizer to soften your beard and soothe the skin beneath it. Additionally, you can add beard oil and/or beard balm to condition the hair and eliminate any dry flaking skin, leaving you with a healthy beard and flake-free skin.
A helpful additional strategy to reduce beard flakes is to brush your beard every day with a boar’s bristle brush. This helps to exfoliate your face and remove dead skin cells in the process. However, for those with more severe cases, more proactive steps may be necessary.
Seek Professional Advice
If your beard flakes persist despite your best efforts, then it’s important to seek professional advice. Your doctor may be able to prescribe an antifungal or anti-inflammatory cream to help reduce the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. These medications can often work much better than any over the counter treatments.
Additionally, it’s always smart to keep an eye out for changes in your skin. If you notice any redness, itching, swelling, or a rash, seek medical attention immediately as these could be signs of a serious medical condition.
Factors Contributing to Beard Treatments
Several factors can make it harder to get rid of your beard flakes, such as: not washing your face regularly, not using beard oil, having overly dry skin, or even having a diet with too much sugar. In this case, it’s important to identify what’s causing your beard flakes and adjust your treatment accordingly. Furthermore, if you’re using a certain product that’s making your beard flakes worse, switch to one specifically formulated within the same scalp categories.
Changes in Environment
In general, redness, itchiness and beard flakes become worse with changes in environmental conditions. This makes sense because their primary cause lies in the skin’s microbiome—which changes constantly with the environment. For example, if you suddenly find yourself in a cold and dry region, it’s likely that your skin’s microbiome won’t be adapted to the climate, and will likely suffer from dehydration. This can then lead to your beard flakes worsening, as the skin loses its ability to shed dead cells and create new ones.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Additionally, lifestyle adjustments can be important in treating beard flakes. As mentioned before, poor hygiene can contribute to beard flakes, so increasing water intake and try to drink more than the recommended amount of water each day. You should also try to avoid sugary food, as they can lead to inflammation and further skin irritation.
Finally, supplementing your diet with foods that are rich in vitamins A, C, and E can also help to maintain healthy skin and reduce the symptoms of beard flakes. Some examples of such foods include kiwi, oranges, blueberries and carrots.
Covering Up Advice
In the short-term, makeup can be used to cover up any redness and itchiness from your beard flakes. For instance, a tinted moisturizer can help to disguise the redness associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Additionally, applying a facial powder on top of your moisturizer can also help to absorb any excess oils and reduce the appearance of dander.
Having A Professional Grooming Advice
Finally, there are some key steps you can take if you’re serious about treating your beard flakes. Firstly, you should visit a professional grooming shop and they’ll be able to assess your condition and prescribe a tailored solution. Ideally, find a shop that specializes in facial hair and beards, as they’ll have better knowledge of the products available to you.
They’ll be able to advise you on the best products to use on your beard, such as special shampoos, conditioners and balms. Some shops may also offer special treatments that help to exfoliate your skin, leaving it feeling much smoother. These treatments can last up to six weeks.
Conclusion
Beard flakes are a common issue for many men, but with a few simple steps you can easily get rid of them. Start by washing your beard 1-2 times per week with warm water and a facial cleanser, apply beard oil regularly, and consider seeking advice from a professional grooming shop. With the right care and attention, you can easily banish beard flakes from your life and flaunt your beard once again.
