Oily hair: how to recognize them and how to treat them

Oily hair is a problem which is very often underestimated by sufferers. Having oily hair has an immediate aesthetic effect: the hair appears greasy, dirty and dull.

The sensations experienced are discomfort and a sense of dirtiness, as well as a strong odor emanating from the scalp.

There are many causes that can lead to this condition, such as a hormonal imbalance, daily stress or even diet.

Suitable treatments include the use of gentle products, medication and hygiene.

 

What is oily hair

The term greasy hair refers to that particular condition in which the hair has an oily, almost dirty appearance, along with a strong odor coming from the skin beneath the hair..

The situation is very embarrassing for those who suffer from it, and in addition to the blemishes, you have to deal with the discomfort, itching and burning that sometimes accompany the condition.

 

How does hair become oily

The main culprit that leads to oily hair is sebum, a substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of the scalp.

The functionality of sebum is protecting both skin and hair from external agents, such as air pollution or even bacteria.

If sebum is present in large quantities, or if it gets excessively liquid, it will lead to oily hair.

 

The causes of the pathology

There are different causes that can lead to an overproduction of sebum in the scalp.

Hormonal problem

One of the primary causes of the problem is related to the overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands. The mechanism that leads to this condition is largely related to genetic information, and depends on the conversion of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT..

The latter conversion is also the basis of the process of hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.

Other causes

There are also other causes that affect the state of the hair and can promote oily hair.

Some classic examples include the daily stress, environmental air pollution, the use of aggressive products or cosmetics, smoking.

Nutrition also plays a relevant role in this area. For example, a high consume of fried or overly refined foods, along with refined sugars, it will end up by ingesting too many toxins into your body.

In turn, these contribute to irritating the scalp, promoting excessive sebum secretion.

 

How to behave when you have oily hair?

What are things which should be avoided

First of all, it is good to discontinue for a certain period the use of all those cosmetic treatments that could irritate our hair. A typical example are dyes and creases.

During the period of care for oily hair it is also important not to smoke or at least to limit smoking, also avoiding taking too many refined carbohydrates or fried..

How to combat oily skin

In this case, it is essential to consult a specialized doctor, such as a dermatologist, to find the best therapy suitable for each patient.

One of the tips concerns above all the hygiene, which must be maintained constant and daily, better using dedicated products.

In addition to this there are medications that can act inhibiting the conversion of DHT, such as the finasteride, which also has effects on oily hair, or use substances that inhibit androgen receptors, such as cyproterone acetate.