Shedding is a normal part of life for any reptile. Unlike mammals, which shed their skin and hair almost constantly in order to accommodate grow and renew old cells, sandfish will shed their old skin all at once. They do this at certain intervals depending on individual factors like age, growth rate, and weight fluctuations.
When your sandfish is preparing to shed, you may notice that its scales and color seem duller than usual. The sandfish may lose its appetite and spend more time under the sand than usual as well. During this time it is especially important to make sure that your sandfish has a damp area of sand on the cool side of the enclosure to hydrate itself in preparation for the shed. A dehydrated skink will not be able to shed properly, and some of the old scales will get stuck, which can be painful.