Causes and Solutions for Oily Hair

Woman with oily hair — Photo: Dreamstime

From all of the issues that we can have with our hair, the most challenging perhaps is overproduction of the natural hair oils, which can turn the hair into stringy, fatty, limp strands. The culprit sits right beneath your scalp at each hair follicle. The tiny oil production factories, called sebaceous glands, play an important role in keeping our skin and hair lubricated and protected.

Those glands are everywhere on our body except on the hands and the soles of the feet. The highest concentration, however, is in the face and on the scalp. The sebum is a greasy, waxy substance that does many wonderful things for us, but at times it can get out of control. Acne is one consequence of hyperactive sebaceous glands, and oily hair is another very visible and disconcerting demonstration of their power.

So what is it that makes those glands lose their temper and begin to produce more sebum than necessary? The causes have various roots - genetics, diet, hygiene, and in some cases, there is an underlying illness.

Some people are more prone to getting acne, and the same applies to oily hair. It is also said that people with fine hair, both men and women, have more individual hairs per square inch. Therefore, more follicles and sebaceous glands tend to have oilier hair more often. The reason for this might also be the fact that fine hair becomes limp much quicker than thick, bristly hair, and every disorder of the scalp becomes visible much more quickly.

One of the biggest mistakes that sufferers with oily hair often make is to wash their hair as often as they can to get rid of the oils and to cleanse the scalp. In fact, it is a dry scalp that causes the small glands to produce more oil. A dry scalp, just like dry skin, can be caused by harsh weather conditions like intense heat, excessive exposure to the sun, drying winds, or extreme cold.

Not washing the hair often enough is also damaging, since bacteria and toxins can build up and cause irritation of the scalp, resulting in an increased production of sebum. Over time, this can lead to more severe conditions, which may include fungal and infections.

When very greasy hair is accompanied by thick, dandruff like scales, it could be a medical condition like seborrheic dermatitis, which should be evaluated and treated by medical professionals since it can be a sign of an even more serious illness.

How to get rid of oily hair

First of all, you have to make sure that the reason for your oily hair is not a medical condition. Once this is out of the way, there are plenty of products and adjustments to your lifestyle that will help.

Nutrition is key

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Most people don't get enough liquid daily. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin and scalp moisturized from the inside and to stay healthy.Remember: a dry scalp tends to produce more oil.

Woman with healthy vegetables and water — Photo: Ivan Samkov/Pexels

Eat your veggies. A balanced diet with lots of vegetables and whole grains will give you all the vitamins and minerals that you need for your body to work and look perfect.

Studies have shown that eating a lot of greasy and junk foods will increase the development of oily hair. The other extreme of avoiding all oils and fats is not a solution. Our bodies need essential fatty acids to function properly and balance is key once again. Include those healthy fats in your diet. Nuts, olive oil, certain fish, and fruits are full of them.

Exercise! Loose your breath every now and then and get that heart rate up. Regular exercise increases circulation and with that more oxygen reaches the cells of your body which benefits your overall health and also the health of your scalp.

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