Teenage Dandruff is normal.

Dandruff particles are visible flakes of dead skin that have been shed from the scalp, pubic area, underarm, areola or any part of skin. It is normal to shed some dead skin flakes, as the skin is constantly renewing itself. The new cells form in the lower layers. They are gradually pushed to the surface as more new cells form beneath them. By the time they reach the surface, the cells have become flat and overlap each other. By then, these cells are dead and are shed from the surface all the time. They are so small that we do not notice this is happening.
With dandruff, this whole process of skin renewal (or skin turnover) speeds up, so a greater number of dead cells are being shed. Also, the cells are shed in clumps, which are big enough to be seen with the naked eye as embarrassing flakes, especially when they land on dark clothing. The scalp may also feel slightly itchy.
Hormones may also be involved, because dandruff usually starts after puberty.
Dermatologists started to blame a tiny fungus, the yeast on the scalp. Everyone has some of this yeast on their skin, particularly in the greasy areas such as the scalp and upper back. It feeds on the natural grease-oil produced by the skin. The yeast reaction causes the increased turnover of dead skin and flaking; or the flaky skin simply provides an ideal environment for the yeast to thrive. It seems very likely that the former is the case, so getting rid of the yeast should reduce the dandruff.
Getting rid of dandruff or reduce the dandruff formation
· Hair gels and other hair products can irritate the scalp in some people. For a while, try doing without whatever you have been using, or change to a different product.
· Do not scratch your scalp. When you shampoo, massage your scalp without scratching. One could see fingernail marks, damaging the hair at its root. This damage could not be corrected with anti-dandruff treatments as the hair grew.
· If your dandruff is mild, try shampooing your hair twice a week using any shampoo labeled 'frequent use, for dry hair'. This will remove the flakes that are being shed, and the moisturizer in the shampoo will protect the scalp.
· Avoid dyeing your hair (unless you absolutely must). We all have bacteria on our scalp, some of which are beneficial. These 'good' bacteria prevent dandruff yeast, and hair dyes reduce their numbers.
· If you want to try a natural remedy, boil four heaped tablespoons of dried thyme in half a litre of water for 10 minutes. Let it cool and strain it through a sieve into a jar. Massage some of the liquid onto your scalp three times a week. Don't rinse it out.
· For more severe dandruff, you need to deal with the yeast. This means looking carefully at the small print on the anti-dandruff shampoo in your local pharmacy. You could start by trying a shampoo containing selenium sulphide, which has an anti-yeast effect.
Wet your hair, rub the shampoo onto your scalp and rinse off. Leaving the shampoo for 3-5 minutes, before rinsing it off. Do not use selenium sulphide within 48 hours of applying a hair colorant or a perm lotion. Some shampoos contain zinc pyrithione, another anti-yeast chemical.
· The most effective treatment is an anti-yeast shampoo containing ketoconazole, which you can buy from a chemist without a doctor's prescription. Use it twice a week for 2-4 weeks to clear the dandruff, and then once every 2 weeks, using a normal shampoo in between times.

You should certainly see your family doctor if your scalp is red and itchy - or if the skin is flaky around the eyebrows, round the nose or behind the ears - because this suggests you have the more severe form called seborrhoeic dermatitis. You should also see your doctor if the dandruff is very lumpy or patchy, or if you have scaly skin elsewhere, because it could be a skin disorder, such as psoriasis.
Dandruff facts:
Dandruff is due to dryness of the skin. False. Dandruff is caused by a rapid turnover of cells, so more dead cells are shed from the surface. In fact, dandruff occurs in areas where the grease glands of the skin are most active, and the skin is not usually dry.
Dandruff is more common in males than in females. True. Probably because the grease glands are affected by hormones.
Dandruff is affected by the weather. Probably true. Sunlight inhibits the growth of the Pityrosporum ovale yeast.
Dandruff results from poor hygiene. False. Dandruff is caused by rapid turnover of skin cells, probably as a reaction to the Pityrosporum ovale yeast. However, dandruff sufferers do not have more of the yeast than other people - they are just more sensitive to it.
Dandruff is contagious. False. You can’t ‘catch’ dandruff from someone else, such as by using his/her brush or comb.
Wearing a hat worsens dandruff. Possibly true. Pityrosporum ovale yeasts thrive best when protected from sunlight. Also, wearing a hat prevents sweat from evaporating, and this may encourage the yeast.

By Adolescence Educator