Acne on scalp and dandruff
In this article you will learn about the connection between dandruff and acne, focusing on their common trigger: increased oil production during hormonal changes such as puberty. Dandruff is caused when sebum, an oil, is broken down by Malassezia Globosa, producing oleic acid, which around 50% of people are sensitive to, resulting in dandruff. Acne occurs when excess oil and debris block skin pores, leading to bacterial infection. Both conditions are linked to hormonal changes that boost oil production.
Dandruff and acne both have different causes, but many people find that they experience them both at the same stage – usually during puberty.
That’s because they both occur as hormonal changes cause your body to produce more oil.
In the case of dandruff, this oil – known as sebum – is broken down by a naturally occurring microbe, Malassezia Globosa. In around 50% of people, this results in dandruff because they’re sensitive to the oleic acid produced by this process.
Acne on the other hand is caused when an increase in oil production combined with surface debris causes pores on the skin to become blocked. This can lead to bacteria that normally live on the skin infecting the plugged pores, leading to the symptoms we know as acne.
So while dandruff and acne both have different causes, they are both triggered by oil production. This is why many people first notice acne and dandruff at the same time - because both can be linked to hormonal changes that increase oil production, like those that happen during puberty.
FAQ
Dandruff and acne are both linked to increased oil production during hormonal changes, such as puberty. While they have different causes, both conditions can occur simultaneously due to the boost in oil production.
Dandruff occurs when sebum is broken down by the microbe Malassezia Globosa, producing oleic acid to which around 50% of people are sensitive. This sensitivity results in the formation of dandruff.
Acne is common during puberty because hormonal changes increase oil production, leading to blocked skin pores. When these pores are clogged with excess oil and debris, it can lead to bacterial infections and acne symptoms.
