Having a greasy scalp can be truly frustrating. Not only do you have to deal with hair that can look oily and stringy, but treatments can backfire. If you use a shampoo that gets rid of scalp oil, the ends of your hair can look parched; if you then use conditioner to moisturize your hair, your scalp looks oily in no time.
A greasy scalp comes from overactive sebaceous glands. These glands, at the base of each hair strand, produce sebum, an oily secretion that normally keeps your scalp moisturized and makes your hair shiny. But certain factors can put sebaceous glands into overdrive. These include the hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Having high stress levels can affect hormones and add to the problem, too. Even environmental factors such as air pollution and hot, humid weather can make a greasy scalp worse.
Treating a Greasy Scalp
You can improve the look of your hair by trying the following tips:
- Shampoo often, with the right products. To help control the oil, it’s best to wash your hair every day or every other day. Look for oil-free products designed to treat an oily scalp and oily hair (clarifying shampoos, for example). Steer clear of shampoos with ingredients like silicone or lanolin, and avoid products that are both a shampoo and conditioner in one.
- Use hair-care products strategically. Apply shampoo to your scalp only; if the ends of your hair are dry, use a conditioner just on the ends.
- Follow shampoo instructions carefully. If the bottle says to wash, rinse, and repeat, be sure to do it. The second time you lather up, leave shampoo in place for at least five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. That way, a buildup of hair products won’t contribute to limp locks.
- Try an astringent rinse for the scalp. These products help reduce oil. You can also make your own rinse by mixing a little lemon juice in water and sluicing it through your hair.
- Use a comb or brush sparingly. When you comb or brush, it carries oil in your scalp down the length of your hair. Comb or brush gently and as little as possible.
- Reduce stress in your life. If your stress level is high and climbing higher, stress-busting techniques can help. These include yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Being physically active as many days of the week as possible also lowers stress levels.
Getting Medical Help
If home remedies don’t seem to help, consult your dermatologist. Sometimes an oily scalp is due to seborrheic dermatitis. This condition causes an oily scalp with white or yellow scales; it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the eyelids and behind the ears. Your doctor can recommend an over-the-counter medicated shampoo or prescribe a shampoo to control it.
With the proper hair-care products used the right way, you can turn your scalp and hair from greasy to healthy-looking.