Learn what causes and what cures excessive oiliness in the scalp
If you don’t know already, a little oiliness in the scalp is a good thing! The human body produces an oil known as sebum, which – in the right amount – is great for protecting and nourishing the scalp and hair. However, when the production of sebum is out of control, the feeling that the head is filled with grease and residues can make anyone uncomfortable…
Since there are several causes and remedies for oily scalps, today we are going to tell you the main things about this issue and how you can change the situation for the better![1]Jewell, T. (2019, October 4). What Causes an Oily Scalp, and How Do I Treat It? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/oily-scalp
5 MAIN REASONS FOR AN OILY SCALP
As we said, there are many different reasons for an oily scalp. Below, check out the main causes for it!
- STRESS
You may have heard that feeling stressed is bad for your health. And that’s completely true! Just like stress can cause acne, it can also lead to excessive oiliness in the scalp. That happens due to the fact that the hormonal fluctuations caused by stress result in an overactivity by the sebaceous glands!
- UNBALANCED DIET
Again, just like not eating nutritious foods and having a balanced diet can lead to skin conditions, it can also be the cause of an oily scalp! If your diet consists of fast food, oily, or spicy foods, it’s time to change things a bit. Try adding more fruits and vegetables to it and avoid processed foods and dairy products!
- GENETICS
In the end, one of the most popular causes of scalp conditions is genetics. After all, if your mother, father, or grandparents are known to have excessive oiliness in the hair, scalp, or skin, it may be that the simple answer to your condition is your genes.
- INFECTIONS AND SKIN CONDITIONS
Maybe your oily scalp results from a previous skin condition, like psoriasis or eczema. Or it may be that you have a lice infestation or a fungus infection. Either way, those are treatable issues, ok?
- OVERWASHING OR UNDERWASHING
The most probable cause of oily scalps is quite simple: you may be washing your hair the wrong amount of times. If you wash your hair every day, your organism will feel the need to produce even more sebum, since you’re washing out every oil in your hair. Or if you don’t wash your hair enough times a week, the residue build-up will result in greasiness and dirtiness!
SIMPLE TREATMENTS FOR OILY SCALPS[2]Singh, K. (2020b, September 8). 11 simple ways to get rid of an oily scalp. Be Beautiful India. https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-hair/hair-concerns/ways-to-cure-an-oily-scalp
- WASH YOUR HAIR PROPERLY
Depending on your routine, you should wash your hair no more than 2-3 times a week. Not only that, but you MUST wash it with a chemical-free, gentle shampoo – that ensures cleanness without harmful and irritating substances! Also, never apply conditioner to your scalp, only to the hair length and ends, ok? When it’s time to rinse your hair, opt for lukewarm or cold water, to not stimulate the oil production.
Our recommendation is the Boni Natural hair care line, a vegan and eco-friendly Brazilian brand, that combines gentleness and effectiveness!
- CLEAN YOUR STYLING TOOLS
Brushes, combs, and styling tools are places that can gather a LOT of residues, such as products, dirty hair strands, and oil. Because of that, you should clean your hair tools after using them! The best way to do so is by using a little bit of shampoo or neutral soap, and keeping your brush without any hair strands!
- A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET
We are not saying that you should never again eat chocolate, hamburgers, or anything remotely unhealthy. What we suggest is that you add healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein to your daily diet! By doing this, you’ll guarantee your body is receiving the right amount of nutrients it needs.
- USE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
A lot of people swear that apple cider vinegar changed their lives. Although there aren’t a lot of scientific studies about this affirmation, it’s worth a shot! After washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner, apply a few drops of the product to your scalp and massage a bit. Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse it off! This will reduce any possible inflammation and balance out your scalp’s pH.
- GO SEE A DOCTOR
Of course, if you have tried all the items from the list above (and even others), the best thing to do is make an appointment with your doctor – preferably, a dermatologist! They are the best people to tell you what is going on and how to treat it.
An oily scalp is a tricky issue, with its many causes and consequences. But don’t panic! As you can see, there are things you can do to solve this issue – like using natural hair products, such as the ones from Boni Natural! More amazing hair products can be found at Metro Brazil, so make sure you check out our website!
References