Natural oils produced by the scalp help to keep hair smooth and moist. On the other hand, too much oil production can lead to limp and oily hair, which could affect your look.
Top 5 causes of oily hair
To hydrate the scalp and protect the hair, healthy hair produces sebum, or oil. Several factors affect the quantity of oil generated, including lifestyle, hair type, and styling techniques. Excessive oil production can make hair seem dirty, limp, and slick.
It is common for the hair to produce more oil; however, there are numerous factors that can contribute to this condition, such as:
- Hormonal changes: An increase in oil production and acne, as well as oil in the hair, can be a result of hormonal changes during menstruation.
- Hair cleansing frequency and hair care products applied: Hair care products, including shampoo, conditioner, and hair masks, can also contribute to an increase in oil production, as can washing your hair excessively or infrequently.
- Hair type: Straight hair is typically more likely to experience oiliness due to its lack of texture, which allows the oil to glide effortlessly along the hair strands.
- Skin conditions: Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp can result in oily hair, a cracked scalp, and inflammation by affecting the production of the oil glands in the hair.
- Fungal infections: When a fungal infection is present on the scalp, it causes the scalp to become more oily and wet.
Essential steps for treating oily hair
Although oily hair is usually not harmful, it might lower your self-esteem. An uncomfortable itching sensation may accompany oily hair.
If your hair is excessively oily, you may try the following tips:
Reduce the shampooing frequency
You should reduce the frequency of your shampooing if your hair gets oily from being washed too frequently. While washing, hair could lose its natural oils and even start producing more, which can make it even more dry. Similarly, you should wash your hair three to four times weekly if it's oily because you don't wash it often enough.
After washing your hair, be sure to rinse it well and use a shampoo that is appropriate for your hair and scalp. Damage to hair and an oily scalp can result from shampoo residue that is not rinsed well.
Exfoliate the scalp
To remove excess oil from the scalp, use an additional scalp scrub. Regular exfoliation, or as needed, should be done once a week.
Apply dry shampoo
Dry shampoo is a quick solution. Dry shampoo is able to absorb oil and fat without requiring hair washing. This product is suitable for situations in which your hair appears limp and you can't seem to cleanse it. It is recommended to avoid using dry shampoo for an extended period of time and to cleanse your hair after using it, as it can cause scalp irritation and residue.
Apply conditioner
To further reduce sebum accumulation on the scalp, try applying a conditioner. Use commercially available conditioners or all-natural products like coconut oil.
When hormonal fluctuations or seborrheic dermatitis produce oily hair, doctors may prescribe medication in addition to home remedies. If your activities are significantly disrupted by oily hair, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr Nadia Opmalina
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Ferreira. M. (2023). 25 Ways to Fix Oily Hair. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/oily-hair-remedy#
Watson. K. (2019). Why Is My Hair So Oily?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/why-is-my-hair-so-oily
Begum, J. (2022). Why Is My Hair So Oily? How to Manage Oily Hair. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/why-is-my-hair-so-oily-how-to-manage-oily-hair