Dandruff is a common scalp condition that affects more than 50% of the population and is characterized by visible white flakes on your hair. Contrary to common myths, dandruff is not caused by a lack of hygiene. The two factors that cause it are found all over the world, whether people wash their hair every day or not. It is caused by a natural scalp microbe called Malassezia globosa, which is present on everyone's scalp. Here's how it works:
- Oleic acid is produced when the Malassezia globosa microbe breaks down the natural oils on your scalp and hair.
- If you are sensitive to oleic acid (about 50% of the population is), your scalp becomes irritated, which in turn leads to itching, dryness, and redness.
- Your skin cells renew faster than before, increasing the rate of turnover in response to irritation.
- Excess skin cells form visible clumps on your hair and scalp, appearing as white flakes. These flakes are the main symptom of dandruff.
There are a whole host of different factors that can exacerbate a dandruff problem or make it seem worse. These include:
- Heat
- Sweat
- Pollution
These factors are not the cause of the problem, but they can make it seem worse at certain times of the year or during certain activities, such as sports.
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