Greasy hair

| Seborrhea and its consequences on the hair

Under normal conditions, the sebum protects the skin from dehydration and performs an antibacterial action by forming, together with the sweat gland, the “acid-hydrolipidic film” which acts as skin protection. Finally, it lubricates and waterproofs the shaft of the hair making it aesthetically pleasing and more resistant.
The sebum is mostly composed of fatty acids, glycerides and wax esters, but being on the skin it mixes with cellular debris, sweat produced by the sweat glands and fat of epidermal origin.
When sebum production is exaggerated and its quality is altered, it is more fluid and flows faster along the shaft. As a result, hair gets on an oily appearance and gives off a bad smell. Hair appears weighed down and gets dirty easily. In addition to being an aesthetic and hygienic problem, the alteration of the sebaceous gland tends to steal vitality and the right nourishment from the hair.

| The causes of oily hair

The causes of an excessive production of sebum must be sought within the body and depend on genetic predisposition, in fact the activity of the sebaceous glands is controlled at a hormonal level. Endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external) causes can be combined making the diagnosis more difficult.
The main causes can therefore be: hormonal imbalances, incorrect nutrition, stress and nervous factors, self-poisoning, drugs, digestive disorders or the use of wrong products.

| How to prevent oily hair

Despite what is often said, oily hair can be washed frequently. The belief that washing it daily leads to an increase in sebaceous secretion stems from a theory that claims that too frequent washing would irritate the sebaceous gland, leading it to increase its secretion.
Actually, frequent washing has the function of removing the sebum present on the scalp, which is followed by the rapid release of that already present in the follicle.

It is necessary to choose specific shampoos for oily hair and combine an astringent mask that can dry the skin and purify it by eliminating waste and bacteria. Cleaning the skin is therefore of fundamental importance. Also avoid drying your hair at high temperatures and avoid prolonged scalp massages that can stimulate the sebaceous glands.