Diet and Dandruff

Find out more about the cause of dandruff, how it works and some of the factors that could put you at risk of a flake flare-up

The cause of dandruff is a naturally-occurring microbe on the scalp called Malassezia Globosa. 3

You’ll find it on everybody’s scalp, although it will only cause dandruff in around 50% of people.

Here’s how it works:

  • Malassezia globosa feeds on natural scalp oils called sebum – this oil is what keeps yourhair and scalp moisturized
  • As the sebum is broken down, it produces a by-product called oleic acid
  • 1 in 2 people are sensitive to oleic acid and the scalp responds by becoming irritated
  • In response to the irritation, the scalp starts to become inflamed, red and itchy
  • The body signals to the brain to shed skin cells faster than usual – essentially, an attempt to shed the irritant.This shedding of skin is what causes visible flakes to appear on the scalp, often falling off onto your shoulders

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OTHER FACTORS THAT CAN AFFECT DANDRUFF

While the root cause of dandruff is always the same, there are certain factors that can exacerbate a problem or make it seem worse.

These include seasonal factors in summer and winter, external irritants like pollution and damage caused by our own actions such as too much heat-styling the hair.

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