Are you someone who feels like washing your hair frequently even after having a good shower the previous day?
Have you ever scrolled mindlessly on the internet to find remedies to control oil texture on your 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. If your skin care routine ends with the forehead, it means that it is not complete. Because, scalp is also skin. It requires proper treatment. So, let’s find out what your scalp needs through this blog.
What Is Oily Scalp
Oily scalp is a condition which is formed due to over secretion of sebaceous glands. Our scalp consists of tiny pores and beneath it the sebaceous glands lie. They help in production of natural oil called sebum which maintains the overall health of the scalp. But sometimes overproduction of sebum due to certain reasons makes your scalp more oily and thus leaves your hair greasy. It is also a condition which causes dandruff, itching and makes your scalp prone to infections and hair fall.
Causes of Oily Scalp
There are various reasons for oily scalp. A few causes are:
1. Genetical Condition:
Are you the ones who have been mesmerized by seeing some of the most exquisitely beautiful hair which are garnered without putting much effort and have wondered how? It’s just good genes. The magic of genes often plays the opposite as well. If any of your immediate family members have an oily scalp, there are high chances that you may have it as well.
2. Washing Hair Too Frequently:
It’s a common misconception that, to stay hygienic it’s necessary to wash hair daily. But the fact is that to maintain healthy hair, you need to wash your hair only twice or thrice in a week. In an attempt to hydrate your scalp, the oil secreted by sebaceous gland is produced more which leaves your scalp oily.
3. Hormonal Fluctuations:
Hormonal changes that occur during certain stages in your life like menarch, menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can also add on to the over production of sebum. But this state won’t last long and will get cured once the cycle is over.
4. Hair Care Products
For better hair growth and healthy scalp, it is necessary to choose the right hair care products. Usage of random products available at the market can even worsen the condition. Because most of the shampoo and conditioners consist of harsh chemicals like paraben and sulfate which can strip the sebum out and make your scalp dry and lead to produce excess sebum.
5. Lack of Proper Hygiene:
Hygiene is an important factor for healthy scalp and hair growth. It is very important to wash your hair properly by using appropriate shampoo and conditioner twice or thrice a week. You should also wash your pillow covers at least once a week. Sleeping on dirty pillow covers or using unwashed hair tools can make your hair more oily and dirty.
6. Unhealthy Diet
It is not always what you apply outside that decides the result, it is also what you consume that decides your overall health condition. For a proper healthy scalp and hair, it is necessary to eat clean food with high nutritional value. Consumption of an oily, greasy, high – carb diet can damage your gut and hence affect your scalp. So, diet plays a key role.
7. Stress
Mental health is a very neglected but serious aspect which should be taken care of. Stressing out on things that you cannot control is not good or healthy for your body. Hair growth requires a happy and healthy mind.
8. Seborrheic Dermatitis:
It is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation on your skin. The pink, scaly patches develop on the skin in areas with a lot of oil glands. It is also called dandruff. It can be a result of an allergic reaction or be a symptom of an autoimmune condition. It’s not a serious condition. Home treatments can often treat or manage it.
Methods to Regulate Sebum Production on Your Scalp
There are various cures for all these conditions mentioned above. If you are following these steps wisely and consistently, be ready to say goodbye to your oily scalp forever:
1. Hair Wash Days:
Every hair is different, so the treatment and care provided to the hair varies. But it’s most appropriate to wash hair twice or thrice a week. But it can be customized according to your lifestyle. If you are someone who sweats a lot or is exposed a lot to dirt, you can wash your hair daily but by using the right products.
2. Hair Care Products
While washing your hair use gentle, sulfate free shampoo for hair and conditioner for length. Later use some organic hair mask to wash it off. This way of washing your hair will not dry up your scalp further resulting in excess sebum production.
3. Wash Hair Styling Tools Regularly
It’s important to wash hair styling products regularly. Clean your comb, hair ties, clip and other styling tools regularly. Try to use a wooden comb for your hair. Because it helps in less breakage and also increases blood circulation to the head. Avoid using styling products that produces heat.
4. Be Careful With Water Temprature
Don’t use hot water to wash your hair. It can make your hair more dry and increase sebum production and also leaves your hair dehydrated. So, wash your hair with lukewarm water.
Home Remedies for Oily Scalp
1. Egg and Yogurt Hair Mask:
Take an egg, ½ spoon lemon juice, 1 spoon of full fat yogurt, 1 spoon honey and mix it together. Apply on your scalp and length for 30 mins and wash it off.
2. Black Tea Treatment
Put 1 spoon of tea leaves in boiling water and keep it aside. Once it is at room temperature. strain the tea and apply the liquid on hair and wash it with cold water.
3. Aloe Vera
Take the pulp of aloe vera and mix it with your shampoo and apply on your scalp for 5 mins and wash it off.
Wrapping Up
Natural oils present in your hair regulates hair growth but the excess sebum production can make your scalp more oily and prone to dandruff , scalp acne and infections. To regulate it, it’s important to follow an appropriate hair care routine and the home remedies will also help to fix it. Hope that the blog will help and act as a guide in your hair care journey.
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FAQS
1. How would you know you have an oily scalp?
If there is an excess sebum production on your scalp and it makes you wash hair frequently, you have an oily scalp.
2. What causes oily scalp?
Several factors like genetics, over washing of hair, stress, unhealthy diet and wrong hair care products can result in oily scalp.
3. How to control oily scalp?
It can be controlled by following a proper hair care routine. Please refer to the above blog, we have given a detailed hair care routine.
4. How to take care of an oily scalp?
Follow a healthy diet, be less stressed and follow proper hair care routine,
5. How to choose a product for an oily scalp?
Use sulfate and paraben free products.