how to control greasy hair
No one likes seeing greasy roots in the mirror. As you age, you may have noticed your hair getting greasier. Your sebaceous glands secrete an oily lubricant called sebum, which gives your hair its natural shine. Sebum lubricates the scalp and forms a protective barrier on it in order to moisturize and protect the hair shafts. Sebum also keeps the pH levels of the scalp balanced, while helping in averting a number of scalp issues like dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. However, overactive sebaceous glands will result in greasy hair.
Most Common Causes for Greasy Hair
It may be helpful to understand the root cause behind your greasy hair. Here are the most common causes for an overproduction of sebum.
Fried Food : Deep fried food introduces more oil into your body, which overstimulates your oil glands. The oil that the glands produce covers our skin and scalp.
Dairy Products : While they can have many health benefits, the likes of milk, butter and cheese are digested by our bodies as oils and fats, which can leave our hair and skin sticky and oily when eating in larger amounts. Additionally, dairy products contain components potentially related to an excess amount of testosterone, which can increase sebum production.
Salty Food : An excess consumption of salt, especially paired with inadequate water intake, can lead to body dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which signals your body to produce more oil to fight the lack of water. Overhydration is also possible, so speak to your doctor if you’re not sure how much salt and fluid you need.
Refined Carbs : Refined carbs are often get negative publicity. While no food is either wholly ‘good’ or ‘bad’, it’s possible that refined carbs, like white bread or pasta, can result in the oil glands overproducing oil when eaten in excess.
In many cases, your hair becomes thinner in your middle age, so there is less hair to absorb the amount of sebum the scalp produces. Many with chronic illness may find they experience loss or thinning at a younger age, too. There are plenty of obvious causes that can make your hair greasier, like working out or hot weather, however, there are also less obvious causes that can result in your hair producing excess oil. Continue reading to learn why your hair is greasy and how to efficiently balance your natural oil production.
Most Common Causes for Greasy Hair
It may be helpful to understand the root cause behind your greasy hair. Here are the most common causes for an overproduction of sebum.
Hormone Fluctuations
Women going through menopause experience an increase in their hormone levels. The hormone, androgen, is responsible for increasing the production of sebum in the scalp.
Seborrheic Dermatitis or Skin Conditions
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that irritates and inflames the skin. Pink, scaly areas of skin develop in places with a lot of oil glands, including the scalp. It’s also known as dandruff. Other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can lead to itchy red patches on your scalp.
Stress
When you are stressed, cortisol enters your bloodstream. Cortisol can activate sebocytes, the cells that produce sebum, leading to an overproduction of sebum in your scalp.
Genetics
Yes, it’s true, your mom or dad might have passed along their greasy hair! Genes can contribute to the amount of sebum your glands produce.
Imbalanced Diet
Fatty oily foods, sugar and dairy can play a role in an overproduction of sebum.
Over Washing
Washing your hair may feel like a quick fix for oily hair. However, when you over wash your hair, your oil glands over-compensate for the loss of oils stripped by your shampoo. Instead, you have to train the oil glands to not over-produce oil by washing your hair less.
Oily Hair Concerns
An increased amount of oil attracts dirt more easily, produces dandruff, and makes your hair stick together. In the worst cases, the sebum glands clog the hair roots and may cause hair loss and dandruff.
Dandruff
Built-up oil on the scalp can lead to dandruff. Many dandruff sufferers produce an excess amount of skin oil that combines with Malassezia (a yeast commonly found on the scalp), which can irritate the skin.
Lifeless Hair
An excessive amount of oil in your scalp will weigh your hair down, leaving it flat. Those with straight hair are more susceptible because sebum can more easily travel down straight strands.
Hair Loss
An oily scalp can eventually lead to hair loss. The excess oil production is a sign of inflammation. When hair follicles are inflamed, hair growth is slowed and the hair is weaker in structure. Eventually, the hair follicles will be blocked, inhibiting the natural growth process.
How To Balance Natural Oil Production
It’s time to take control over your greasy hair! Every little helps, and it is possible to see some positive changes in your hair with a few tweaks to your lifestyle, diet and haircare routine. Here are 11 ways to help balance your natural oil production as you age.
1. Well-Balanced Diet
The foods you choose to eat can impact your hair health, and a nutritional imbalance can lead to increased oil production in your scalp. Your hair cells need a balance in protein, biotin, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and B vitamins. Nutritional needs will vary based on the individual, so it is best to check with a doctor before making any extensive diet changes.
To help balance your natural oil production, there are some foods that it’s typically recommended to eat less of, and others to eat more of.
Consider Lessening Your Intake Of The Following :
Women going through menopause experience an increase in their hormone levels. The hormone, androgen, is responsible for increasing the production of sebum in the scalp.
Seborrheic Dermatitis or Skin Conditions
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that irritates and inflames the skin. Pink, scaly areas of skin develop in places with a lot of oil glands, including the scalp. It’s also known as dandruff. Other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can lead to itchy red patches on your scalp.
Stress
When you are stressed, cortisol enters your bloodstream. Cortisol can activate sebocytes, the cells that produce sebum, leading to an overproduction of sebum in your scalp.
Genetics
Yes, it’s true, your mom or dad might have passed along their greasy hair! Genes can contribute to the amount of sebum your glands produce.
Imbalanced Diet
Fatty oily foods, sugar and dairy can play a role in an overproduction of sebum.
Over Washing
Washing your hair may feel like a quick fix for oily hair. However, when you over wash your hair, your oil glands over-compensate for the loss of oils stripped by your shampoo. Instead, you have to train the oil glands to not over-produce oil by washing your hair less.
Oily Hair Concerns
An increased amount of oil attracts dirt more easily, produces dandruff, and makes your hair stick together. In the worst cases, the sebum glands clog the hair roots and may cause hair loss and dandruff.
Dandruff
Built-up oil on the scalp can lead to dandruff. Many dandruff sufferers produce an excess amount of skin oil that combines with Malassezia (a yeast commonly found on the scalp), which can irritate the skin.
Lifeless Hair
An excessive amount of oil in your scalp will weigh your hair down, leaving it flat. Those with straight hair are more susceptible because sebum can more easily travel down straight strands.
Hair Loss
An oily scalp can eventually lead to hair loss. The excess oil production is a sign of inflammation. When hair follicles are inflamed, hair growth is slowed and the hair is weaker in structure. Eventually, the hair follicles will be blocked, inhibiting the natural growth process.
How To Balance Natural Oil Production
It’s time to take control over your greasy hair! Every little helps, and it is possible to see some positive changes in your hair with a few tweaks to your lifestyle, diet and haircare routine. Here are 11 ways to help balance your natural oil production as you age.
1. Well-Balanced Diet
The foods you choose to eat can impact your hair health, and a nutritional imbalance can lead to increased oil production in your scalp. Your hair cells need a balance in protein, biotin, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and B vitamins. Nutritional needs will vary based on the individual, so it is best to check with a doctor before making any extensive diet changes.
To help balance your natural oil production, there are some foods that it’s typically recommended to eat less of, and others to eat more of.
Consider Lessening Your Intake Of The Following :
Sugar : Sugar affects the inflammatory processes in the body and increases blood sugar levels, which encourages glands to produce more oil. Additionally, sugar can create an imbalance of hormones in your body.
Fried Food : Deep fried food introduces more oil into your body, which overstimulates your oil glands. The oil that the glands produce covers our skin and scalp.
Dairy Products : While they can have many health benefits, the likes of milk, butter and cheese are digested by our bodies as oils and fats, which can leave our hair and skin sticky and oily when eating in larger amounts. Additionally, dairy products contain components potentially related to an excess amount of testosterone, which can increase sebum production.
Salty Food : An excess consumption of salt, especially paired with inadequate water intake, can lead to body dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which signals your body to produce more oil to fight the lack of water. Overhydration is also possible, so speak to your doctor if you’re not sure how much salt and fluid you need.
Refined Carbs : Refined carbs are often get negative publicity. While no food is either wholly ‘good’ or ‘bad’, it’s possible that refined carbs, like white bread or pasta, can result in the oil glands overproducing oil when eaten in excess.
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