What is the reason for oily scalp? Causes and REMEDIES

What is the reason for the oily scalp? All of us who suffer from this problem want to know what causes oily scalp, why it happens, and how to solve it. In this article, we will help you to achieve this.

The scalp has many large hair follicles drained by the sebaceous glands responsible for producing sebum. When there is excessive production of sebum, it results in an oily scalp.

What is the reason for the oily scalp?

The causes of an oily scalp are:

• Genetics, this problem is hereditary. 
• Hormonal changes.
• Pregnancy. 
• Puberty.
• Stress problems. 
• Inadequate washing: the excess use of solid shampoo affects the pH, produces the sebaceous glands' secretion, and causes greasy hair.
• Hair tools. Daily use of hair straighteners, dryers, and tongs makes the scalp dry, resulting in higher oil production. To compensate for this dryness touching it every time produces more fat because it transfers the oil from your hands to the hair.
• Use some medicines such as the birth control pill or those that regulate the menstrual cycles.

 How to wash oily scalp?

Do you want to have healthy hair? You need to wash your hair correctly.

Use warm water

If necessary, wash it daily with warm water, never hot, because it activates sebum production more. Spread the shampoo on all the roots, gently massage the scalp, and leave it to work for a while.

Apply the conditioner only to the ends

The conditioner or cream should be applied only to the tips, avoiding the scalp to fill it with more oil.

Care to maintain a scalp without oil.

• Use a special shampoo for oily hair as it contains surfactant ingredients that dissolve in excess sebum. Use natural botanical shampoo, including rosemary, chamomile, sage, horsetail, nettle, horse chestnut.
• Also, apply spray and leave-in conditioner for oily hair.
• It would help if you also used alcohol-free mousse, which offers a degreasing effect.

What causes oil on the scalp?

Oily dandruff:

Oily dandruff is a process that occurs on the scalp when yellowish flakes form and stick to the head of hair.

Causes

Our scalp produces greasy dandruff when we have:

• Poor diet, chemical abuse.
• Inadequate hair hygiene.
• Psoriasis.
• Stress. 

If we want to fight this condition, there are home remedies, but you should go to a dermatologist if it doesn't work.

 Some of these remedies are:

• Lemon juice or its peel: make an infusion with the peel of a lemon and 200 ML of water. When it is ready, add the lemon juice. Apply with your fingers to the scalp and rinse with abundant water. 
• Baking soda: mix a little water with two spoonfuls of baking soda until you get a homogeneous paste. Apply it to the scalp with a gentle massage, leave it on for 10 minutes, and rinse with plenty of water.
• Apple vinegar: mix the vinegar with the same amount of water, apply it to the scalp and leave it on for 45 minutes.

Seborrheic Dermatitis:

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a disorder that affects the scalp producing spots, scales, reddish skin, and dandruff. Consequent itching also can affect the eyebrows, face, sides of the nose, chest, and eyelids.

 Causes

Some causes of seborrheic dermatitis are:  

• Fungus is present in the sebaceous glands called Malassezia.
• Strange responses of the immune system.

To treat seborrheic dermatitis, we find the following:

• Over-the-counter dandruff shampoo.
• Applying creams with anti-inflammatory ingredients like hydrocortisone, fluocinolone, clobetasol, and desonide is available by medical prescription.
• Antifungal shampoo.
• Mineral oil. Apply mineral oil to the scalp to soften and remove scales, leave it on for about an hour, then comb the hair and wash it.
• Avoid using sprays, gels, or styling products while you have this condition.
• Fish oil supplements such as Omega 3.
• Apply aloe vera to the affected area.

Seborrheic Alopecia:

Seborrheic Alopecia is premature hair loss caused by excessive oil production that induces and accelerates hair loss. 

That is because the sebum destroys the hair follicle and prevents it from breathing, so the hair begins to fall out little by little. 

 To avoid seborrheic alopecia, you must perform certain habits such as: 

• Change your diet. 
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, also foods rich in vitamin B and zinc.
• Drink more water.
• Change your shampoo for one free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones 
• Do not use dry shampoo or fixative products as they clog the pores.

How to exfoliate the oily scalp

 With the shedding, you will do a deep cleaning of your scalp. Besides, it will help you regenerate the skin so that your hair grows faster and more robust since it removes the dead cells and excess sebum. Foliar application is required at least once a week.

 One option to do this exfoliation is:

• Mix two tablespoons of brown sugar, two tablespoons of oatmeal, and two tablespoons of conditioner for oily hair.
• Mix these ingredients well.
• Apply after washing your hair in a circular motion for 2 minutes.
• Rinse and apply conditioner for oily hair from medium to ends.

Home remedies to get rid of oily scalp

There are many natural remedies that you can do at home to get rid of an oily scalp. Some of these are:

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies to remove excess oil from your scalp. It also balances the pH levels of the scalp and gets rid of dandruff.

How to use:

• Mix equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar.
• Apply it on your scalp and massage for a few minutes. Gently rinse your hair with warm water

Lemon juice

The acidic nature of lemon helps to get rid of the excess oil from the scalp. It also helps to lighten the hair and remove dandruff.

How to use:

• Mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with a cup of water.
• Apply it on your scalp and massage gently rinse your hair with warm water.

Baking soda

Baking soda is an excellent exfoliator that helps to remove the dead cells and the excess oil from the scalp.

How to use:

• Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste.
• Apply it on your scalp and massage for a few minutes. Gently rinse your hair with warm water.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent that helps get rid of the excess oil and fungus from the scalp.

How to use:

• Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier. Mix two drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil such as almond oil or coconut oil.
• Apply on your scalp and massage gently. Leave it on for a few hours and then rinse with warm water.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer that helps get rid of the excess oil from the scalp.

How to use:

• Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf.
• Apply it intently rinse your hair with warm water.

Green Tea

Green tea is an excellent antioxidant that helps get rid of the excess oil from the scalp.

How to use:

Brew two cups of green tea.

Let it cool down, and then apply it to your scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that help get rid of the excess sebum from the scalp.

How to use:

Take an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement such as fish oil capsules.

Or you can also eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, chia seeds, and walnuts.

Why do you have an itchy scalp?

Sometimes people's scalps itch. But if it's happening all the time and it's making you feel bad, then you need to figure out why.

Excessive dryness

Excess dryness is often the reason. When we scratch, tiny white dots appear on our clothing when we look closely.

We should not confuse them with dandruff, which is more oily and yellow. In this case, we have flaking of the scalp that invites us to review the type of shampoo we use and to provide more hydration through masks.

Eczema

In other situations, we may have eczema. You can verify this problem by seeing whether there is any alleviation or a different color on the scalp.

Typically, the region is inflamed and somewhat red. Minor scratches are possible as well.

Hair products

Our hair may be reacting to a hair product we're using. For example, most shampoos and other hair products contain alcohol, silicones, sulfates, parabens, etc.

These products dehydrate and damage our hair over time.

If any of these skin problems continue for a long time, it is a good idea to consult with a dermatologist.

Conclusion

What is the reason that causes oil scalp? Excess fat and sebum on the scalp affect the hair's appearance because this sebum accumulates in it. 

Follow the guidelines we gave you to prevent the overproduction of sebum and have healthier and better-looking hair.

DISCLAIMER: buildyourbody.org does not provide medical advice, examination, or diagnosis.

Medically reviewed and approved by Nataniel Josue M D.