Sex-related differences in response to zinc pyrithione shampoo vs. non-anti-dandruff shampoo

Sex-related differences in skin properties may be expected to impact dandruff formation and treatment. A meta-analysis approach was undertaken to investigate potential differences between males and females in response to zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) treatment vs. non-anti-dandruff (AD) shampoo. A separate pooled statistical analysis of ceramide and total protein loss endpoints was also undertaken to assess potential sex-related differences in stratum corneum properties that might influence response to ZnPT vs. non-AD shampoo in subjects with dandruff.

The meta-analysis approach included data from 17 half-head, double-blind, randomized studies (N = 2088) undertaken in Asia to assess the effectiveness of 1% ZnPT shampoo and/or non-AD shampoo in reducing dandruff severity, as assessed by Total Weighted Head Score Adherent Flake (TWHS-AF) methodology. Treatment duration was 4 weeks, with TWHS-AF measured at weekly intervals. Data from an additional three studies (N = 143) conducted in Asia were included in the pooled analysis of ceramide levels and protein loss from scalp skin of subjects with dandruff.

Response to 1% ZnPT vs. non-AD shampoo was greater in males than in females at all time points; after 4 weeks, the between-treatment difference in TWHS-AF was -17.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] -19.5, -15.5) in males and -11.1 (-13.2, -8.9) in females. Sex-related differences were observed between males and females in response to both 1% ZnPT and non-AD shampoos. Males had a stronger response than females to treatment with 1% ZnPT shampoo, while dandruff decreased to a greater extent in females than in males when using non-AD shampoo. Statistically significant sex-related differences in ceramide levels and total protein loss were observed (both P < 0.01). Ceramide levels were 0.76 times lower (95% CI 0.60, 0.97) in males than in females, while total protein loss was 1.4 times greater (95% CI 1.1, 1.9) in males than in females.

Males show a greater response than females to 1% ZnPT shampoo, while females show a greater response than males to non-AD shampoo. These findings may in part be explained by the sex-related differences observed in stratum corneum properties, which may make males more prone to dandruff than females.