Almost all over your body, you have hair follicles. And connected to these follicles are the oil-producing sebaceous glands, which can make the scalp seem oily and greasy when it has not been washed. In this article, we will explain how to treat an oily scalp and answer commonly asked questions.
Why does the scalp become oily?
As a means to nourish your scalp and preserve your hair, the sebaceous glands generate a specific quantity of oil. Your hair type, health conditions, and other environmental factors can affect how much oil is created. This natural oil can build up on your scalp and your hair. It can make your hair shine more, but also feel dirty. Some people would prefer an oily scalp to a dry one, while others find it unappealing.
Your hair’s oil is composed of your body’s protection system for your scalp’s fragile hair. This oil combines with perspiration and debris to film your scalp. Some hair types are more susceptible to oil buildup than others.
In less than 24-hours after the last time you washed the hair, it may feel oily again. The amount of oil in the scalp may also be affected by vigorous activity, use of hair products, or living in a hot and humid climate.
What Causes Oily Scalp?
The reasons for an oily scalp might be:
- overactive sebaceous glands
- genes
- hormone imbalances
- weather and climate
- vigorous activity
- foods and diet
- underlying health conditions
- or other factors
All of these factors can contribute to excessive sebum production. Especially the typical hormonal fluctuations the body goes through during puberty, pregnancy/maternity, and menopause can cause an increase in sebum production.
Washing the hair too frequently may be an unanticipated cause of oily hair. Some believe that shampoos can cause the scalp to create more oil every time it is washed, and when it happens too frequently, the scalp is stimulated to ramp up its oil production, which can cause a buildup of oil on the scalp.
My hair is greasy and falling out – What’s going on?
Hair roots have sebaceous glands that generate sebum. Although this sebum is beneficial to the hair in smaller amounts, in excessive amounts it becomes greasy hair. The oil makes the hair clump together and absorbs dirt more easily. It can also cause dandruff.
In the worst-case scenario, the sebaceous glands “choke” the hair roots, resulting in hair loss and dandruff.
Scalp psoriasis?
Scalp psoriasis is a type of skin disorder that causes red patches on the scalp and other areas of your head. It is believed that the immune system causes skin cells to grow faster and results in patches of red skin. These patches can have white scales and flake almost like dandruff. The condition can be mild or severe and can last for a short period of time or over longer periods.
The condition can make the scalp dry, itchy, and sore. The scratching can cause damage to one’s hair and result in temporary hair loss, but mostly it will grow back when it clears. For treatment, consult a doctor.
Seborrheic dermatitis can cause greasy hair
Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema or seborrheic psoriasis, is a skin disease that most often happens on the scalp or where hair grows but can appear anywhere on the body.
The symptoms will be red skin and yellow flaky scales that may seem crusty or even greasy. It can cause itching and burning. Too much flaking and scratching may cause temporary hair loss.
The causes of seborrheic dermatitis are not known, but it is believed to be mainly caused when there is too much yeast on your skin. Yeast normally lives on the skin, but when it is too much of it, and combined with other factors such as allergy, stress, genes, medical conditions, medicine, climate or immune responses, it may cause seborrheic dermatitis. For treatment, consult a doctor.
Is an oily scalp good for hair health?
Sebaceous glands encircle each of our hair follicles. A greasy scalp isn’t always a terrible thing. A small amount of oil is beneficial to your hair’s health, but it may feel aggravating to have too much oil on your scalp. A clear, nutritious scalp is believed to promote healthy hair growth.
However, the excessive generation of sebum causes pore obstruction, irritation, and hardness. In extreme cases, it may result in hair thinning.
Leaving the scalp oily and unwashed may cause itching and seborrheic dermatitis, and it can also serve as a food source for dandruff-producing fungus, and be a source of debris.
Most people should not remove all oil from the scalp. Natural oils protect hair and are necessary for a healthy scalp and beautiful locks, but there should be a balance.
How to Fix Oily Scalp, Dandruff and Treat Excessive Hair Loss
The oil and dandruff can be washed away from your scalp by showering using a shampoo for greasy hair.
To treat an oily scalp, there are several over-the-counter products you can find at your local pharmacy.
There are also products that can be found in most homes that may help, but it is important to keep in mind that these home cures come from anecdotal evidence and that your outcomes may differ. Always consult your doctor. These ideas are not meant as medical advice. Here are some typical home remedies:
- Fish oil is believed to help regulate dandruff flare-ups that contribute to oily scalp texture. It’s commonly sold as a nutritional supplement and many people use fish oil because of its possible immunological and cardiovascular benefits.
- Aloe vera is another organic substance believed to help against flaking. Its utility may stem from its ability to reduce inflammation that causes flare-ups.
- Probiotics are considered to assist reduce dandruff flare-ups by reducing inflammation throughout the body, although there isn’t a huge amount of evidence that probiotics are useful for greasy scalps.
- Tea tree oil is an antibacterial that can aid in the prevention of bacterial and fungal growth which may cause acne or flare-ups of several scalp skin diseases. Some people believe that diluting the tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and putting a few drops of the mixture onto the afflicted skin region, help against bacterial buildup. Consult your doctor.
- Apple cider vinegar is a popular folk remedy, but there isn’t enough research on whether or not it can treat skin problems. Some claim it works as an anti-inflammatory and can enhance your hair’s pH balance. It is unknown whether it reduces oil production or prevents skin disease flare-ups. Apple cider vinegar may irritate the skin even more, especially if one has eczema.
If you have any of the symptoms of overly greasy hair and you are in need of treatment, please consult a doctor or other health care professional. Depending on the symptoms and the diagnosis, prescription-strength shampoos or solutions may be prescribed by a doctor. And if it is a chronic condition, other treatments may have no effect at all.
Can Sebum Cause Hair Loss?
Yes, extreme production of sebum can lead to hair loss. The excessive supply of sebum greasiness in the hair and skin can lead to dandruff and breakouts. Too much sebum buildup on the scalp over longer periods of time can result in other symptoms and conditions, some may include hair loss.