Most people were probably never taught about a connection between oily hair and hair loss, it's not something that is openly discussed by friends and family. Our hygiene, was learned from our parents and grandparents. As kids, all we were told was "wash your hair" when it gets dirty. As we approached adolescence and our hair was oily and stringy we were instructed to "wash and run a comb through your hair." They were probably unaware that there is science behind oily hair and hair loss.
Causes for an Oily Scalp
- Sebum - the medical terminology meaning skin oils. Sebum is secreted from sebaceous glands which cover your entire body. They only have one function, and that is oil production. We only have two places on our body's without sebaceous glands and those are the palms of your hands and bottoms of your feet. Too much sebum production on your face makes you prone to acne or pimples. Likewise, excessive sebum on your scalp causes oily hair. We all need a certain amount of sebum on our faces to keep them face from drying out and skin cells from flaking, on your hair it prevents if from drying out and becoming brittle.
- Your Diet - stay away from excessive fats in food. Love your hamburgers, potato chips and milkshakes? These delicious treats should remain just an occasional treat. The fat builds up in your system and doesn't just go to your hips and stomach. This fat also ends up in your scalp increasing oil on your scalp. Eating nutritious, healthy foods are not just good for your body but also your hair. A good tip to remember is that everything you put in your mouth influences your entire body, inside and out.
- Hormones - these are chemical messengers that regulate and control body functions. We are all familiar with hunger which is caused by the Hypothalamus. Our Thyroid is associated with calories and fat burning. Our bodies have many different hormones. DHT, primarily a male hormone, and a form of testosterone, is something that women naturally have only a very small amount of. An increase of DHT can attribute to hair loss in women.
When your hair follicles are overwhelmed by this oily substance they get clogged or blocked. As this happens it affects your normal hair growth cycle. So not only is your hair not growing properly, your scalp can easily get inflamed and infected. You have now entered a viscous cycle because this also affects your hair growth. On top of all this, you are in danger of getting a yeast fungus, which causes dandruff and possibly a more severe form of dandruff called seborrheic dermatitis.
For the sake of your hair and your scalp, cleanse your hair on a regular basis. Use gentle shampoos, scrubbing with fingertips not fingernails. If your scalp is inflamed and more fragile than usual, fingernails can cause open wounds leading to infection. Watch your diet, remember all foods and snacks affect all parts of your body. If you have done the above and feel you need to seek medical care, go to a doctor or an endocrinologist. It may be necessary to have your body checked out for a chemical imbalance.
In the meantime if you are experiencing hair loss, we here at New Look Institute want to help you feel more like you. We have wigs, hair toppers and extensions that will help you regain your confidence and your smile until your hair's normal growth cycle is once again in change giving you beautiful, healthy hair.
