Gentlemen, you’re probably well aware of the importance of personal hygiene, specially when it comes to managing body odour. While you may diligently use deodorants to mask any underarm odour, there’s one area you may have overlooked: your scalp.
A smelly scalp happens when the skin on the top of your head emits an unpleasant scent. Unlike underarm or even foot odour, this smell may go unnoticed because it’s difficult to detect it on your own. So, the next time the colleague next to you holds their nose in a crowded elevator, it just might be that whiff from your scalp that they’re reacting to.
Whether it’s due to sweat, skin conditions or changing odour as you age, understanding why your scalp smells and how to address it can help you avoid embarrassing moments. Now, let’s get your scalp feeling and smelling fresh again.
Sweat glands can go into overdrive due to exercise or hot weather. When sweat mixes with the natural oils on your head, this creates a damp environment which allows odour-causing bacteria to thrive. This potent combination of sweat, oil and bacteria can cause your scalp to emit an unpleasant smell.
Did you know that your body odour evolves as you move through different stages of life? Unlike the natural pleasant scent of babies, you may notice an “old man smell” around ageing men. There’s even a Japanese term for this, known as “kareishu”. However, the odour emitted by a middle-aged guy in his 30s and 40s isn’t the same as someone in their 50s or 60s.
Middle-aged odour, often described as similar to stale, used oil, is caused by diacetyl. Formed by a mixture of thicker scalp oils, sweat and bacteria, diacetyl production increases in your 30s and peaks in your 40s, coinciding with the onset of middle age.
This middle-aged smell is mainly generated from the crown and back of the head, which is probably why men have a harder time detecting this funky smell themselves. It’s definitely easier for women to notice it … after all, wives may catch a whiff of it while sleeping next to their other halves.
Living in a tropical climate, you might be tempted to shampoo your hair more frequently to keep your scalp feeling fresh and clean. Ironically, overwashing your hair can strip your scalp of its natural oils leading to dryness and irritation. This disrupts the balance of natural oils on your scalp, causing it to overcompensate by producing even more oil. This excess oil, along with a build-up of sweat and dead skin cells, creates the perfect breeding ground for scalp odour.
Sometimes, a noticeable smell from your scalp can be caused by skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, or even a fungal infection. These skin conditions can result in dry, flaky, scaly or inflamed skin. A compromised skin barrier on the scalp can lead to bacterial infection, and when mixed with oil and sweat, can result in a foul-smelling scalp.
Often, men with middle-aged smell problems unknowingly use hair products that aren’t right for their scalp, like ones with harsh chemicals or heavy fragrances. It’s no wonder that this old man smell persists!
To tackle middle-aged scalp odour, it’s crucial to use the right hair products with specifically designed formulations. For instance, shampoos such as LUCIDO’s Deodorant Scalp Shampoo contain plant flavonoids which can effectively target diacetyl, the major cause of middle-aged odour. Not only can these shampoos remove diacetyl with each wash, but with regular use, they can even suppress its production.
When choosing your hair products, don’t forget to look out for ingredients such as amino acid which can gently cleanse both hair and scalp, along with other anti-inflammatory ingredients to prevent dandruff and itchiness. These can also do wonders for middle-aged man smells.
Another option to promote scalp health is to massage natural cleansing oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil onto your scalp. These oils can remove excess oil, dirt and odour-causing bacteria without robbing your scalp of its natural oils. With their antibacterial and antifungal properties, these oils can combat scalp odour while also moisturising the scalp.
Here’s another way to rid of the gunk that’s accumulated on your scalp - give it a thorough, deep cleanse. The result: a rejuvenated scalp that feels clean, fresh and free from foul smells.
For your scalp detox, use deep cleansing shampoos or treatments that contain ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil which can eliminate impurities, dead skin cells, and dirt, as well as unclog your hair follicles. A gentle reminder: do this deep cleanse sparingly to prevent stripping your scalp of moisture.
If you often wear caps or other headgear while outdoors, opt for breathable materials like cotton or bamboo to prevent middle-aged men odour caused by sweat, oil and moisture build-up. These moisture-wicking materials allow air to circulate, preventing sweat and oils from getting trapped against the scalp and keeping it dry.
From excessive sweating and middle-aged odour to skin conditions and overwashing of your hair, we’ve given you the complete rundown on why your scalp might smell, as well as tips on how to fix them. But if you’ve tried multiple remedies and the odour persists, it may be best to consult a doctor who can assess your situation and recommend the best treatment to get rid of the smell. After all, addressing this is crucial to maintain the health of your scalp and hair.
