Improving Men's Health: Ditching Anti-Dandruff Shampoos & Improving Gut Health

What Happened When I Quit Anti-Dandruff Shampoos and Focused on Gut Health

A Wake-Up Call — One That Starts at the Scalp

If you’d told me at 53 that quitting anti-dandruff shampoos would lead to some of the most surprising health changes of my life, I would’ve raised an eyebrow. Like many others, I believed I needed those shampoos to manage my severe dandruff. For over 4 decades, they were part of my daily routine.

But when I finally stepped away from the rinse-and-repeat cycle, something unexpected happened. And it didn’t stop at my scalp.

I Wasn’t Trying to Change Anything (Especially Not “Down There”)

At this stage in life, I wasn’t chasing performance gains or fertility. That ship had sailed — I became a dad in my late 30s and had a vasectomy at 45.

What I 'was' trying to fix was my constant scalp irritation, flaking, and discomfort. Nothing had ever worked long-term, despite decades of using every anti-dandruff product on the market.

In 2024, I made two changes:

- I stopped using off-the-shelf anti-dandruff shampoos
- I began addressing imbalances in my gut microbiome

That’s it. No special supplements. No major diet changes. No “biohacks.”

The Unexpected Changes That Followed

Within months, my scalp dramatically improved. But that wasn’t all.

I experienced a noticeable increase in semen volume, stronger climax, and a boost in overall energy and vitality. I wasn’t expecting these shifts — but I couldn’t ignore them either.

This wasn’t about fertility. It was about 'vitality'. A sense of physical strength and mental clarity I hadn’t felt in years.

What’s Really in These Shampoos?

Many anti-dandruff shampoos rely on powerful antifungal and antimicrobial agents like:

- Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT)
- Selenium Sulfide
- Ketoconazole

These aren’t mild ingredients. They’re potent chemicals, and when applied to broken or inflamed skin — like the kind many people with dandruff have — they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT)

“From the data it can be seen that systemic exposure to ZPT increases with increasing amount of ZPT applied”. 
Scientific Community on Consumer Safety - SCCS/1512/13, p. 27
Translation: The more you use, the more of this chemical your body absorbs — even from rinse-off products.

Selenium Sulfide

“Selenium sulfide lotion has caused systemic toxicity following topical application to damaged skin.
Selenium Sulfide Topical, p. 3

“Systemic signs and symptoms of toxicity… occurred. Signs and symptoms of toxicity resolved within 10 days after discontinuing the drug.” 
Selenium Sulfide Topical, p. 3
Translation: In one case, a woman got sick after using it on an open wound. Her symptoms only stopped once she quit using it.

Ketoconazole

“Plasma concentrations of ketoconazole were not detectable after topical administration of Nizoral 2% cream in adults on the skin.” 
Ketoconazole-PAR-45.pdf, SPC 5.2
Translation: On healthy adult skin, this chemical doesn’t seem to get into your system.

BUT

“In one study in infants with seborrhoeic dermatitis (n=19)… plasma levels of ketoconazole were detected in 5 infants, ranging from 32 to 133 ng/ml.” 
Ketoconazole-PAR-45.pdf, p. 24
Translation: When the skin is inflamed or broken — like with dandruff — absorption can happen.

On healthy skin, absorption may be minimal. But in cases of damaged skin — like severe dandruff — absorption becomes a real risk.

Seeing Is Believing

During a 55-day experiment, I quit anti-dandruff shampoos and reset my scalp. The inflammation and irritation were evident — but so were the changes once I transitioned to a microbiome-friendly routine using Victory Serums.

After 100 days of using just 1ml per week of Victory Serums Dandruff Control Intensive Shampoo, in combination with Victory Serums Microbiome-Friendly Conditioning Shampoo with low pH (3.7) for regular hair washing, I had reduced dandruff control product chemical use from 30ml / week of an off-the-shelf anti-dandruff shampoo to 1ml / week. That's a 96.7% reduction in dandruff control chemicals being absorbed into my scalp.

The Gut-Brain-Skin Axis: A Real Connection

Ten weeks after ditching those shampoos, I took a Gut Health Test to examine other potential factors that could be contributing to my severe dandruff. The results:

•    Poor Microbiome Diversity
•    Opportunistic & Dysbiotic Bacteria Present
•    Parasites Detected

With targeted support and a pharmacist-prescribed treatment, I restored internal balance and a few months later changes began to emerge — first was a marked improvement in scalp health, reducing product use further, then a few months later, my overall vitality.

That was the turning point. Minimal, purpose-driven product use and gut health support became the foundation of my scalp health, my energy and Victory Serums.

Why This Matters — For Everyone

We talk a lot about men’s mental health, aging, and performance. But we rarely discuss what we’re absorbing through our scalp 'every single day'. For women, too, the question stands: what role are these products playing in your vitality, hormonal balance, and skin health?

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle — daily or 3 times a week of anti-dandruff shampoos, regardless of whether they are improving your dandruff — it’s worth asking:

"What else are these products doing to your body over time?"

A Better Way Forward

Victory Serums was born from my own need to escape the anti-dandruff shampoo dependency cycle but It’s not just about what’s 'in' the bottle — it’s about what’s 'not', including the added preservatives required for extended product shelf-life.

No hormone-disrupting actives. No added preservatives at the expense of your skin microbiome. Just a well-thought-out, low-use routine that puts health back in your hands.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect any of this. I was just trying to fix my scalp.

But now, I’ve regained energy and with that, the curiosity to explore other health and lifestyle improvements.

Whether you’re a man or woman, if you’ve relied on anti-dandruff shampoos for years, maybe it’s time to ask:

"What are you really putting on your scalp — and what could it be changing without you even knowing?"