Most of these hair follicles also contain the sebaceous glands, the glands that produce oil. These oil glands keep the skin and hair healthy and moisturized. They also help prevent skin infections. Sometimes, these glands can produce too much oil, causing oily skin and hair.
It's totally normal for your scalp to produce some oil. It's part of how your scalp stays healthy. What you're describing sounds like a typical amount of oil production, especially if your hair doesn't look greasy.
Start by washing your hair less frequently. If you wash it daily, try moving to every other day, then to every third day, and so on. This allows your scalp to adjust and may help reduce oil production over time. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that won't strip your hair of its natural oils.
The quickest, most fool-proof way to instantly remove oily hair is simply a good shower. Shower with lukewarm or cool water, as hot water promotes oil creation. 2. Apply conditioner near the ends of your hair. Conditioner is made to return oils to your hair, which you may not need if your scalp produces a lot of oil.
Each hair follicle on your head has an oil gland that produces sebum. Sebum is there to naturally moisturize your scalp and keep your hair healthy, shiny and strong. But when there's too much of it, it can build up and lead to greasy, limp locks.
Ans - A deficiency in vitamin B6 and zinc can contribute to an oily scalp. These nutrients help to regulate oil production and promote a healthy scalp.
Excessive washing
Over-washing can make your hair look greasy because it strips the hair of its natural oils. This loss of natural oils causes the body to overcompensate by producing more sebum. Over-conditioning can also lead to greasy hair because it weighs down the hair and this in turn increases oil production.
While oily hair does not directly cause hair loss, the side effects of an oily scalp can contribute to hair thinning. Excess oil can mix with dirt and product residue, leading to clogged hair follicles.
But you can train your hair to be less oily with a technique called hair training. This involves slowly reducing the frequency of hair washes to get your scalp used to not being rinsed often, naturally minimizing oil production.
Similarly, testosterone increases oil production. People with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by elevated testosterone, may notice symptoms like oily skin. 3 This could also include the scalp, making the hair appear greasy.
Using the Wrong Shampoo or Conditioner
For example, harsh shampoos that contain strong detergents, like sulfates, can strip the scalp of its natural oils, causing it to produce more oil to compensate for the loss. Heavy conditioners can also weigh your hair down and make it look greasy.
If your hair naturally produces a lot of oil, then you might find you need to wash your hair every day. However, this isn't the case for most people, who should only need to wash their hair every 2 – 3 days - depending on the different factors listed below.
Persistently greasy hair may be due to an overproduction of sebum, which can sometimes indicate an underlying health condition. However, the way people wash and care for their hair, and the type of hair products they use, may be the cause.
Oily hair isn't healthy or unhealthy by default. People with an oily scalp can have healthy hair or dry, brittle hair. Your hair needs oil to be healthy, but too much oil can lead to buildup on the hair and scalp. Oily skin may also contribute to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
In individuals with fine hair, the sebaceous glands may produce more oil than necessary, leading to a greasy appearance shortly after washing.
Believe it or not, the simple act of repeatedly wetting your hair alone can be bad for your hair. "Wetting the hair repeatedly (and then using heat to dry it) can weaken the cortex and cuticle layers of the hair," Longsworth says. "And if the hair stays wet for extended periods of time, hygral fatigue can be an issue."
Lemon Juice – Found in every person's kitchen, it's a quick and easy oily hair remedy. Its acidic nature works wonders on greasy hair and washes away the oil build-up, while balancing out the pH levels of your scalp. Dilute it with water, apply it to your head, and rinse thoroughly after about 15 minutes.
Diet: Certain foods can contribute to greasy hair. Diets high in processed foods, excessive dairy and sugar, unhealthy fats can stimulate the production of sebum. Try sticking to a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water to maintain a healthier feeling in your scalp and hair.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal changes, particularly those involving androgens, can significantly impact sebum production. Androgens are hormones that play a role in regulating the activity of sebaceous glands. An increase in androgen levels can lead to an overproduction of sebum, resulting in oily hair.