Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39838710›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of cosmetic science2025

Clear scalp, clear mind: Examining the beneficial impact of dandruff reduction on physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

A Newton-Fenner, H Roberts, M Scott, T Jones, L Collins, A Godbehere, T Giesbrecht

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of cosmetic science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. A synergistic herbal formulation targetingFrontiers in microbiology · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

A Newton-FennerUnilever Research and Development Port Sunlight Laboratory, Wirral, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3572-1516
H RobertsDepartment of Psychological Sciences, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
M ScottUnilever Research and Development Port Sunlight Laboratory, Wirral, UK.
T JonesUnilever Research and Development Port Sunlight Laboratory, Wirral, UK.
L CollinsUnilever Research and Development Port Sunlight Laboratory, Wirral, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4117-3499
A GodbehereUnilever Research and Development Port Sunlight Laboratory, Wirral, UK.
T GiesbrechtUnilever Research and Development Port Sunlight Laboratory, Wirral, UK.

Funding

Unilever
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveDandruff is a common scalp condition characterized by the chronic shedding of large clumps of epidermal cells. Alongside negative physical symptoms, dandruff is thought to have a detrimental impact on individuals' mental health. The aim of this study was to determine whether the clinical benefits of using an anti-dandruff shampoo (ADS) will result in improved psychological wellbeing in individuals suffering from dandruff. Further, this study aimed to investigate whether this improvement would manifest in changes in self-esteem and confidence behaviours.

methodsA 4-week dandruff reduction intervention was implemented using a Piroctone Olamine ADS formulation. The control group continued to use their non-ADS. Self-evaluation metrics, including the Scalpdex, State Self-Esteem Scale and self-perceived hair and scalp characteristics questionnaires, were employed to measure changes in self-perceptions of hair and scalp health and psychological wellbeing. Following this analysis, the dataset was then combined with unpublished internal data of a similar intervention study using a Zinc Pyrithione ADS formulation. A mediation analysis was conducted on the combined data to examine the relationship between dandruff symptoms, emotions, and overall behavioural functioning.

resultsFirst, the ADS effectively reduced the clinical symptoms of dandruff. Second, Scalpdex scores indicated that the use of ADS, compared to non-ADS, lessened the adverse effects of dandruff on symptom perception and emotional distress. Third, the impact of dandruff on behavioural functioning diminished over time, and measures of confidence, scalp comfort and scalp health improved over time, irrespective of product type. Fourth, there was no change in measures of self-esteem for either shampoo. Subsequently, the mediation analysis revealed that across both studies, ADS treatment improved symptoms, emotional wellbeing, and functioning ratings on the Scalpdex questionnaire. Importantly, it also found that improvements in physical symptoms of dandruff improved behavioural functioning indirectly, via its mediating effect on scalp-related emotional wellbeing.

conclusionsThis study demonstrated that reducing dandruff's physical symptoms directly enhanced emotional well-being related to scalp and hair, and indirectly improved overall daily functioning. These findings suggest that addressing dandruff symptoms not only increases physical comfort but also positively impacts individuals' mental and emotional health, and their ability to function in their daily lives.

Indexed as

DandruffEmotionsScalpAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSelf ConceptSurveys and Questionnairesdandruffemotional wellbeingmediation analysisscalpdexself‐esteem

Identifiers

PMID39838710
PMCPMC12127786

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.