When Does Dandruff Start?
In this article you will learn that dandruff can start at any time but is most likely to appear during puberty due to the body's increased production of sebum, an essential substance for moisturizing hair and scalp. Sebum is broken down by Malassezia globosa, a microbe on the scalp, producing oleic acid. About 50% of people are sensitive to these substances, causing increased cell turnover and the formation of dandruff flakes.
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 down sebum to produce substances 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 substances – the scalp reacts by increasing the rate of cell turnover. These excess cells clump together to form the white flakes associated with dandruff.
