Oily hair is an aesthetic disorder not just. As widespread as it is embarrassing, this appearance mistake is caused by the deposit of sebaceous secretion on the scalp and hair shaft: in doing so, the hair becomes objectively very unpleasant to the eye (... and to the touch).
Greasy hair takes on a greasy and sticky appearance; the dirt that grows on it tends to attract the other hair to itself, like a glue.
Greasy hair can also depend on the hyper-activity of 5alpha-reductase enzymes, responsible for the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (in turn responsible for hair loss and sebum production).
- Note: having greasy hair is not always an expression of poor personal hygiene. In fact, genetic predisposition plays a pivotal role in the manifestation of this disorder.
What to do
- Washing greasy hair often with delicate shampoos is certainly the best remedy to combat the disorder. If the problem of oily hair is particularly evident, we recommend daily washing
- Use mild shampoos to avoid removing too much sebum from the scalp by depriving the hair of its natural protective barrier. Transparent shampoos are the most recommended because they contain (almost certainly) more delicate substances and are not formulated together with dyes
- Devote a small space of daily time to hair care: delicate shampoos, astringent and disinfectant lotions are definitely the ideal products for treating greasy hair
- Massaging the scalp while distributing the shampoo is a good remedy against greasy hair
- Check the degree of greasiness of the hair after shampooing: to find out whether the hair has been washed properly or not, simply pass a finger over the scalp after drying the hair with the hair dryer; if the finger appears shiny, it means that it is necessary to perfect the washing mode
- Even the anti-plaque mouthwash can help in the absence of astringent lotions: in these cases, it is advisable to soak a cotton pad and to make compresses directly on the scalp. This is also a remedy for combating greasy hair
- Remove stress: even tension and anxiety can weigh heavily on the appearance of hair. For this reason, it is recommended to carve out small spaces of time to devote to self-care: light walks and sports activities are certainly indicated
- Beware of birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptive methods: some particularly sensitive women can observe an increase in sebum in the scalp and hair during the treatment cycle with hormones (contained in the contraceptive pill)
What NOT to do
- Avoid washing your hair too often in the belief that recurrent washing can increase sebum secretion: sebum production is not in fact subject to washing
- Use aggressive or poor quality shampoos
- Dry the hair by excessively approaching the hair dryer: it is recommended rather to keep the hair dryer at a proper distance (about 30 cm) in order to prevent excess direct heat from excessively fluidizing the sebum, making the hair even more greasy
- Continue to brush your hair: brushing favors the entrainment of sebum from the scalp to the tip of the hair
- Touch the hair with dirty hands
- Massage the scalp between one shampoo and another. This behavior should be avoided: by massaging the scalp continuously, you risk stimulating sebum production. The scalp should be massaged only during shampooing
- Use the balm: these cosmetic preparations, extremely indicated as a remedy for dry hair, should be avoided for greasy hair since they would weigh down the hair. If the conditioner is really essential, it is recommended to apply it only on the tips of oily hair
- Smoking: the smoke can adhere to the hair making it dull, opaque and visibly greasy
What to eat
- Take lots of fruits and vegetables, as it is rich in antioxidants (vitamin C and E), mineral salts and vitamins, which are very important for hair health.
- Always ensure the body has the right balance of sulphurized proteins, ubiquitous in meat, fish and eggs
- Yes to salmon and nuts, natural sources of omega 3 and 6
- If necessary, supplement the diet with calcium, copper and zinc supplementation
What NOT to Eat
- There is no scientific evidence that relates food to worsening greasy hair. However, it is recommended to follow a healthy, balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and low in fat.
Natural Cures and Remedies
- Natural cosmetic treatments can undoubtedly improve the appearance of fat hair. Preferably, therefore, natural preparations formulated with active ingredients with an antiseptic (disinfectant), anti-inflammatory, astringent and vasoconstrictor action:
- Astringent lotion based on ivy ( Hedera Helix ) and witch hazel ( Hamamelis virgiliana )
- Tea wraps or vaporization on greasy hair
- Disinfecting lotion formulated with the essence of juniper ( Juniperus communis ), rosemary ( Rosmarinus Officinalis ) or other essential oils
- Hair mask made with astringent products. You can also make a DIY hair mask with yogurt and sage or thyme extracts
- Clay hair mask: excellent natural remedy to detoxify, disinfect and purify a scalp abundant in sebum
- Rinse your hair with distilled water and lemon juice: this is an excellent natural remedy with astringent properties for oily hair
- Rinse the hair with water and apple vinegar: 1 tablespoon of apple vinegar diluted in ½ liter of water is the ideal dose to prepare a homemade lotion against greasy hair
Pharmacological care
- Finasteride: indicated to neutralize excess sebum deposited on the scalp, responsible for oily hair. The drug, indicated exclusively for men, exerts its therapeutic action by inhibiting the activity of the 5 alpha reductase enzyme
- Androgen receptor inhibitors: drugs used to treat greasy hair in women:
- Cyproterone acetate (eg. Androcur)
- Flutamide (eg Flutamide Hex)
Prevention
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching the hair
- To prevent excessive deposits of sebum on the scalp, it is recommended to avoid as much as possible polluted places and smoke (even passive)
- Brush the hair only when necessary
- Wash greasy hair frequently with mild shampoos
Medical treatments
- Medical treatments are generally not necessary to remove excess fat from the hair. It is recommended, if necessary, an assessment by the doctor when oily hair is accompanied by other unpleasant disorders such as hirsutism, acne, and oily skin: in such circumstances, a hormonal alteration is conceivable.
