If you see flakes in your hair you might immediately think it’s dandruff. But the color of the flakes can tell you a lot about the health of your scalp. So, what does it mean if you notice yellow flakes?

Understanding the Context

Flakes are produced when your scalp is irritated. It starts to shed skin more rapidly than usual in an attempt to get rid of skin irritation. This results in skin cells coming off in clumps ... Wet dandruff often appears yellowish and oily due to an overproduction of sebum cells on the scalp.

Key Insights

Learn how to treat embarrassing dandruff at home. Dandruff looks like many small, white, gray, or yellow flakes (dead skin cells) on the scalp. Flakes can be scattered around hair shafts or form clumps on the scalp surface. When dandruff is more severe, the flakes can fall from your scalp and onto your shoulders and upper body. (They’re most noticeable with dark clothing.)