Skincare

Tired of Oily Scalp? We got you covered!

July 05, 2021

Do you feel like washing your hair within one or two days after shampoo? Are you always thinking about ways to reduce the oil in your hair and scalp? You may as well have an oily scalp. It is a condition wherein the scalp produces excess sebum. Hair follicles are made up of sebaceous glands which produce sebum. This sebum is essential in maintaining a healthy scalp and hair, but excess of it is likely to cause some conditions.

An oily scalp can lead to scalp itching, dandruff and other associated conditions. Not just this, it can also make your scalp prone to infections and hair fall. Although it is a condition that can be inherited or influenced by various factors as follows -

Causes of Oily Scalp

  • Genetics
    Oily Scalp might as well be in your genes which were passed onto you by your immediate family member/s. Often this reason is out of our control but certain measures can be taken to regulate excess sebum production.
  • Hormonal changes
    Hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty, menopause can also affect the sebum secretion of the scalp. The condition may or may not last for the rest of the life.
  • Excess use of hair care products
    Sometimes, the excessive use of shampoo, conditioner or other hair care products might irritate the scalp. This makes the scalp go into an overdrive of sebum secretion. This often can be controlled.
  • Wrong choice of hair care products
    Not choosing the hair care products according to your hair and scalp type might cause the scalp to secrete excessive sebum. Shampoos with sulphates often strip the sebum from the scalp, making it dry. Dried out scalp skin again stimulates the excess sebum.
  • Stress
    Stress affects the body as much as the hair. A study found that a group of people who were stressed over a period of time showed signs of oily scalp.

    Oily Scalp doesn't just stop at having a sticky scalp, but can also develop associated conditions. Itching, hair fall and scalp infections are common in oily scalp conditions. 
  • Dandruff
    The body sheds dead skin cells as a gradual and natural process. As new cells are formed, the dead cells need to be gotten rid of. The sticky scalp may hamper this process resulting in dandruff. Due to poor hygiene and negligence, Seborrheic Dermatitis or Scalp Eczema is formed.
  • Itching
    Dandruff is often accompanied by itching due to oily scalp. Oily scalp when neglected can easily suffer from skin problems. The scalp skin has less sensitive sensory nerves which might result in experiencing a worsening of scalp conditions easily. [1]
  • Forehead acne
    The oil, dirt and bacteria on the scalp can easily be transferred to the forehead, especially via hair towels and pillow covers. Small acne on the forehead can be a possible effect of oily scalp.

Ways to regulate oil production by scalp

Oily scalp requires constant care and frequent cleansing. You can take care of the scalp in a way wherein the scalp is regularly cleansed without drying it out.

We can't get rid of oily scalp entirely as it is a scalp condition influenced by factors such as stress, hormones or external reasons such as hair care products. However, we can take care of the extent of this concern through the following measures -

  1. Chalking out your hair wash days
    Regular cleansing helps in reducing the build-up of dead skin cells or dirt and grime. You can wash your hair every third day or as per your convenience. Now, this requires a little trial and error as everyone's hair and lifestyle is different. Chalk out your hair wash days as per your requirement and lifestyle. Your hair wash days will also depend a lot on your hair care products which leads us to the next point.
  2. Choosing the hair care products wisely
    Using gentle yet effective hair care products goes a long way in nourishing the hair and cleansing the scalp. Usually sulphate free shampoos and organic hair masks are preferable while dealing with oily scalp. They do not dry out the scalp leading to excess sebum production rather leaves it nourished and hydrated.
  3. Using the haircare products the right way
    In addition to the right hair care products, correctly using them is also important. It is best to shampoo your scalp and not the length or ends of your hair. While using a wash-off conditioner, it is best to apply it to your hair length and ends while excluding your scalp area. Using a conditioner on your scalp might cause a build-up on the scalp.
  4. Use a Dry Shampoo
    Dry shampoo is a quick fix for greasy scalp and hair. It absorbs the excess oil on the scalp while giving a little volume to the hair. Dry shampoo works well on the second or third day after a hair wash day. You just need to apply it on your scalp and buff away the excess. It is often used to save time or avoid every day or alternate day shampooing. However, keep in mind that it is not a substitute for shampoo and excess use of it can result in buildup on the scalp. 
  5. Check the water temperature
    Using hot water is going to strip the sebum from the scalp while washing with any shampoo. Hot water not only causes dryness to the scalp but also leaves the hair dehydrated. Always use lukewarm water to wash your scalp and hair.
  6. Be gentle with your hair
    Right from your hair brushing to using your shampoo, be gentle with your hair. Aggressively handling the hair is a big no! This might irritate the scalp and even cause hair fall.
  7. Clean your hair accessories regularly
    You might be introducing dirt and oil in the first place if you use an unclean comb or unclean accessories. Keeping your hair accessories clean is as important as choosing the right accessories. Use a wide-tooth, wooden comb to brush your hair and keep it clean.  
  8. Rinsing the hair well
    Rinsing the hair properly and thoroughly is also an aspect to consider while using any hair care products. Make sure to rinse your hair well to ensure no products are left behind, especially the wash off conditioners.
  9. Avoid using heat styling or heavy styling products
    If possible avoid heat styling your hair. Heat styling might make the scalp dry and heavy styling products can cause a build-up in the long run.

Let us check which Juicy Chemistry hair care products can help with oily scalp or dandruff

Frequently Asked Questions on Oily Scalp

  • Does oily scalp cause hair loss?
    Yes,  excess oil can clog the hair follicles or cause dirt, dead skin cells to build up. This can cause hair loss as well as prevent new hair growth.
  • Does oily scalp cause dandruff?
    Excess oil on the scalp causes the dead skin cells to build up, which if neglected can cause dandruff.
  • How often should you wash oily hair?
    Washing your oily hair and scalp, twice or thrice per week is sufficient. It largely depends on your lifestyle and physical activities too.

We hope this information helps you in combating oily scalp and having a great hair day!

References

(PDF) The Scalp Has a Lower Stratum Corneum Function with a Lower Sensory Input than Other Areas of the Skin Evaluated by the Electrical Current Perception Threshold
Association of psychological stress with skin symptoms among medical students
Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis
(PDF) HAIR DISORDERS, TREATMENT AND CARE: AN OVERVIEW AK Srivastava1 , SC Srivastava1 , Nimanshi Srivastava1 1Research Centre For Human Mycoses And Allergy 250, Keshav Nagar, Sitapur Road, Lucknow-226020, Up India
Tips for healthy hair

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