Our hair follicles are surrounded by sebaceous glands. Overproduction of sebum leads to blockage, inflammation, and hardening in the pores. That, in turn, leads to the thinning of the hair with accompanying hair loss. So, oily scalp can cause the hair to fall out faster than it can grow back.
The short answer is yes! The slightly less short answer is that an oily scalp definitely contributes to hair loss but is often not the sole cause of it. Excess amounts of oils can trap and attract dirt, dandruff, and product build up, which clogs pores and prevents new hair growth.
In short: yes. Scalp buildup can cause hair loss if left untreated and the dead skin, oil, and sweat clog your hair follicles. This can lead to an uncomfortable condition called folliculitis.
It may be surprising, but in general, try to shoot for washing with shampoo no more than three to four times a week. This doesn't mean the hair can't get wet, though. Continue to massage and exfoliate the scalp during showers to remove excess dead skin and dirt.
Not Washing Can Clog Pores and Interfere with Healthy Hair Growth. Clogged pores can interfere with your follicle health and your hair's ability to grow. Once your pores become clogged with sebum, dirt and impurities, that leaves little room for your strands.
Excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced one the following stressors: Lost 20 pounds or more. Given birth. Experiencing lots of stress (caring for a loved one who is sick, going through a divorce, losing a job)
Possible causes of hair loss include stress, poor diet, and underlying medical conditions. Everyone experiences hair shedding, and it happens to each of us every day. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle, more on days you wash your hair.
If you think you're losing substantially more than 100 hairs a day when you wash your hair, it may be time to seek professional advice.
Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.
Keeping the scalp clean and healthy is an integral part in achieving normal healthy hair growth. If the scalp is not cared for properly, then build-up from sweat, dirt and excess oils can block the follicles, resulting in a range of issues, from inflammation, to severe itching and dandruff.
Dandruff might rear its ugly head
King: "Washing your hair helps to decrease the yeast that is naturally and normally found on your scalp, so when you stop, more of it is likely to build up and increase the occurrence of dandruff." And the itching that goes along with it? That's due to the resulting scalp inflammation.
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
What Does Sebum Buildup Look Like? Sebum buildup appears as white or yellowish oily residue on the scalp. It sometimes produces flakes on the scalp and may be mistaken for dandruff, scalp eczema, or psoriasis.
Do your best to resist the urge to touch your scalp, especially if it's already itchy. Scratching can increase irritation and lead to a vicious cycle. When you touch and scratch, you can also introduce dirt into the mix that can make dandruff worse. Find the right shampooing balance for your scalp.
Hair Washing Frequency and Tips
“I recommend washing your hair two to three times a week,” Dr. Icecreamwala says. “If your hair is dry, you may only want to wash it twice a week. If it is on the oilier side, every other day is recommended.”
In fact, the most effective way to treat most dandruff is to use an over-the-counter shampoo, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains. You should shampoo your hair daily and swap in the anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have natural hair, you only need to use the anti-dandruff shampoo once a week.
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
Oily and fine or thin hair types should wash every one to two days. This schedule allows for removing buildup and the natural oils to stimulate hair health and growth. Wavy or curly hair and dry or damaged hair types should wash in the range of once every four to seven days.
The bottom line is that dirty hair does not grow faster than clean hair, so you might as well have a clean scalp and fresh hair. Your hair will look better, feel better, and be healthier as a result.
If you think you're losing substantially more than 100 hairs a day when you wash your hair, it may be time to seek professional advice.