Dry Skin After Shaving a Beard?

A friend recently asked me why his beard area looks so dry after shaving.  Luckily, I had an answer and I thought I’d share it.  

This is a common question in the office that seems to be worse in the winter, but can occur all year long.  So, what’s up with this “dry skin” and what can be done to help?

Most cases of dry, sometimes red and irritated skin in the beard area for men is actually a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis.  Of course it could be just plain old dry skin as well.  But, when it is primarily in the beard area, it is usually seborrheic dermatitis.  Shaving just aggravates it, seeming to make it worse.

Seborrheic dermatitis is the fancy name for “dandruff”.  In addition to occurring on the scalp it can also occur on the face.  Common places to experience seborrheic dermatitis other than the scalp are in the beard area, eyebrows, creases around our mouth and nose, and around the ears.  As opposed to scalp dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis often flares at times of high stress.  

What causes it?
There are two main components of seborrheic dermatitis that lead to dry, red, scaly skin. First, there is an overgrowth of yeast that usually lives on the skin. This is why just moisturizing doesn’t work. Just moisturizing feeds the yeast. Second, there is inflammation in the skin caused by the yeast.

How can we treat it?
We treat seborrheic dermatitis by targeting the two main components of the rash. We limit the growth of yeast by using dandruff shampoos. Head and Shoulders and Selsun Blue are the most common OTC regimens. There are a number of prescription shampoos we use as well. These shampoos can be used on the scalp as well as on the face and ears with a washcloth. Medicated shampoos usually only need to be used once or twice a week. Second, we treat inflammation with topical steroid in more severe cases. Usually OTC hydrocortisone is plenty, but in severe cases we do prescribe stronger steroids to be used for a limited time. 

Which dandruff shampoo can I use?  Let’s look at ingredients found in common OTC shampoos. 

Ketoconazole – Works to kill the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.  Most commonly found in Nizoral shampoo.  This can also be used to wash ears and hair bearing areas of the face where dandruff is found. This ingredient is also prescribed as a cream that can be used on the face. 

Selenium Sulfide– Works to kill yeast and as an anti-inflammatory. However, it has that dreaded smell that really sticks with you.  It is most often found in Selsun Blue Shampoo.

Zinc Pyrithione – Most commonly found in Head and Shoulders.  This is often the most user-friendly of the ingredients.  It works to kill yeast.

Sulfur –  If you hang around in my office for long, you know we recommend sulfur based prescription strength washes on a regular basis.  Again it kills yeast and works as an anti-inflammatory. 

If someone you know is suffering with dry skin on the face after shaving, share this with him.  Hope this helps!