Married women may notice a phenomenon: even when using the same pillow at the same time, their own pillow stays looking new after a while, while their husband’s pillow inexplicably turns yellow, especially the middle part which looks particularly yellow and shiny when exposed to sunlight. If hair isn’t washed for a long time, the pillow can turn yellow due to the hair becoming oily. However, men typically have shorter hair and wash it more frequently than women, so why do their pillows still turn yellow so easily?
Why do men’s pillows tend to turn yellow easily?
At first glance, one might assume it’s due to poor hygiene habits of men, but that would be unfair as even those less conscious of hygiene still wash their faces regularly. Additionally, men have short hair making washing easier, especially in the summer when washing hair during showers is common, sometimes even daily. Therefore, the phenomenon of men’s pillows turning yellow isn’t due to lack of hygiene, but rather related to men’s physiology.
If women can be said to be made of water, then men can be described as being made of “oil.” The outer layer of human skin contains numerous sebaceous glands that produce oil. Men have more developed sebaceous glands than women, secreting more oil. In the same conditions, men produce more oil than women, making their skin and hair oilier and their pillows more prone to turning yellow.
Furthermore, men have higher levels of male hormones in their bodies, which stimulate oil secretion, especially for those who naturally produce more oils. Before puberty, the skin of males isn’t notably oily, but during puberty, the secretion of this substance increases significantly, leading to oilier skin and more yellowing of pillows.
Men tend to perspire more than women, contributing to their pillows’ yellowing. With faster blood circulation and higher metabolism, men’s skin sweats more during sleep compared to women. Sweat contains acidic components in addition to water, which when deposited on the pillow over time will cause discoloration, accelerated during hotter weather when sweating increases.
Additionally, men often prefer sleeping on their stomachs, leading to unconscious drooling, making the pillow more prone to yellowing. Despite washing their hair more frequently, some men may not cleanse their scalp thoroughly, leading to dandruff being deposited on the pillow, further contributing to yellowing.
Both men and women’s pillows will eventually turn yellow with extended use, but due to factors such as body composition, men’s pillows tend to yellow more easily compared to women. Apart from pillows, men’s towels, shirt collars, and undergarments like vests also tend to yellow more readily, a normal occurrence.
A yellowing pillow signifies the accumulation of dirt; while it can still be used, it’s best to clean the yellowed areas before using. How to deal with a yellowing pillow? Apply toothpaste and baking soda to the yellowed area, add some water, scrub vigorously for about five minutes and the yellow marks will fade, returning the pillow to its original color.
Men should also take care in their daily routines, consume less spicy and oily foods, avoid overeating, smoking, drinking, and late nights, ensure adequate sleep, maintain personal hygiene, wash their hair and face regularly, maintain good sleeping posture to help prevent pillow yellowing.
