FAQ: WHEN DOES DANDRUFF START?

Dandruff can start at any time, but it’s most likely to appear when you reach puberty

It all depends on your body’s production of sebum – a natural process that is begins during puberty

Sebum is essential to keep your hair and scalp moisturized. But it’s also one of the key ingredients needed to cause dandruff.

Malassezia globosa, a naturally occurring microbe on the scalp, breaks sebum down to produce irritants like oleic acid. It’s a completely typical process that takes place on everyone’s scalp.

However, around 50% of the world’s population is sensitive to these irritants – the scalp reacts by increasing the rate of cell turnover. These excess cells clump together to form the white flakes associated with dandruff.

As your hormones change during puberty, your sebaceous glands increase the amount of sebum you produce. More sebum means more oleic acid and if you happen to be in the 50% of the population that’s sensitive to it, you’re likely to experience dandruff for the first time.

If you’re reaching puberty, or experiencing an increase in your scalp oils for another reason, reach for Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner to help keep flakes away.

They’ve been clinically proven to tackle dandruff flakes as well as the symptoms associated with dandruff like itching and a dry scalp