What is dandruff?

Similar to the rest of your skin, healthy scalps continually shed dead skin cells—usually in small amounts that are hard to detect. When the delicate rhythm of skin renewal on the scalp is upset, too many skin cells are produced too quickly. The medical term for this increased shedding is "hyperkeratosis."

Stages of hyperkeratosis (dandruff formation):

1. A reaction occurs on the scalp, causing dead skin cells to develop at a rate that is too fast for the skin to slough off normally.

2. Dead skin cells build up on the scalp, sticking together and breaking off in larger, visible flakes.

3. Faster cell turnover results in increased flaking.

4. If the scalp becomes significantly inflamed and irritated, then you may have developed seborrhoeic dermatitis.

• Dandruff continuum