Pro Golfer Max Homa Gets Real About Skin Condition

For two decades, pro golfer Max Homa thought the flaky patches on his scalp were just ordinary dandruff that everyone deals with.

But as the California native got older, painful red blotches spread to his face and beard. Over-the-counter lotions offered temporary relief at best, and the visible symptoms became increasingly difficult to hide during public appearances and tournaments.

Homa finally visited a dermatologist after encouragement from his wife and discovered he had seborrheic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting 10 million Americans. The condition causes redness, itching, and flaking on the scalp, face, ears, chest, and back.

"I think especially for men, for whatever reason, we don't seem to like the dentist. We don't seem to like the dermatologist," Homa said. He admitted he wasn't planning to discuss his condition publicly until skincare company Arcutis reached out about their Free to Be Me campaign.

The 35-year-old golfer decided his vulnerability could nudge others toward getting help. Dr. Tina Bhutani, a board-certified dermatologist, warns that untreated seborrheic dermatitis can worsen and spread to new areas, significantly impacting quality of life.

Homa now uses a once-daily foam treatment that takes just 90 seconds to apply each morning. He says he rarely thinks about his skin anymore, which feels liberating after years of discomfort.

Why This Inspires

Homa's openness challenges the tendency, particularly among men, to avoid medical care for conditions they perceive as minor or embarrassing. By sharing his story, he's normalizing conversations about skin health and showing that treatment doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming.

The hardest part of his journey wasn't managing the condition itself. It was simply making that first dermatologist appointment, which he now laughs about.

Homa hopes his experience will encourage others dealing with visible skin conditions to take that simple step. If a professional athlete who competes in front of thousands can open up about his skin struggles, maybe it becomes easier for everyone else to do the same.

For someone who's won major tournaments and competed at golf's highest levels, Homa says finally addressing his skin condition brought unexpected peace to his daily life.