Hair Loss Due to an Oily Scalp
Hair loss affects thousands of men and women. There can be many causes of hair loss with differing degrees of severity. The state of your scalp can make a big difference in the health of your hair. An oily scalp can lead to dandruff but can be treated with the possibility of preventing hair loss 1.
Hair Loss
Your hair goes through a three-phase growing cycle, according to the Dermatology Online Journal. Hair loss can occur when this cycle is interrupted. The first part of the phase is called anagen, the active growing part of the cycle that usually lasts from two to six years. The second part of the phase is called catagen. This phase is short and when your hair becomes protein. The last part of the growing cycle is telogen. During this phase, your hair falls out and the hair follicle re-enters the first phase. If your hair follicle fails to re-enter the first phase, your hair follicle becomes inactive and you gradually lose your hair.
- Your hair goes through a three-phase growing cycle, according to the Dermatology Online Journal.
- The first part of the phase is called anagen, the active growing part of the cycle that usually lasts from two to six years.
Oily Scalp
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An oily scalp can be caused by overactive sebaceous glands on the scalp that can lead to excessively shiny hair. The oil attracts dirt more easily, can make your hair stick together and produces dandruff. An oily scalp can be triggered by a hormonal imbalance, as found during puberty, pregnancy or menopause, according to the Short Hair Style website 1. An excess buildup of oil on the scalp can lead to dandruff. Conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis and malassezia affect the oil glands and create dandruff.
- An oily scalp can be caused by overactive sebaceous glands on the scalp that can lead to excessively shiny hair.
- An oily scalp can be triggered by a hormonal imbalance, as found during puberty, pregnancy or menopause, according to the Short Hair Style website 1.
Significance
An oily scalp can lead to hair loss because of the resulting dandruff, according to the Surviving Hair Loss website. Severe cases that are left untreated block the hair follicles, inhibiting the natural growth cycle. Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin and scalp from an excess buildup of oil. It causes your scalp to be flaky, itchy, red and irritated. Scalp psoriasis is also an inflammation of the skin and scalp. It's characterized as an overproduction of skin cells. Scalp psoriasis causes flaking, itchiness, redness, irritation, scales and plaques.cause:
- Scalp psoriasis causes flaking
- itchiness
- redness
- irritation
- scales
- plaques
The plaques can suffocate your hair follicles, rendering them inactive, according to the Surviving Hair Loss website. Malassezia is a fungus that resides naturally on the scalp, feeding off the oils and dead skin -- but when it gets out of control, the overabundance of fungus can also block hair follicles, resulting in hair loss from inactive follicles.
- An oily scalp can lead to hair loss because of the resulting dandruff, according to the Surviving Hair Loss website.
- Malassezia is a fungus that resides naturally on the scalp, feeding off the oils and dead skin -- but when it gets out of control, the overabundance of fungus can also block hair follicles, resulting in hair loss from inactive follicles.
Treatment
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There are a variety of shampoos for treating oily scalp, dandruff and hair loss. Shampoos that contain ketoconazole or selenium sulfide help fight the infections that cause seborrheic dermatitis and malassezia, which can lead to hair loss, according to the Surviving Hair Loss website. Coal tar slows the production of skin cells, helping reduce inflammation, redness and irritation, treating scalp psoriasis. Shampoos that have salicylic acid peel away the outer layer of skin cells to treat scalp psoriasis. Organic and natural shampoos can also help for hair loss.
- There are a variety of shampoos for treating oily scalp, dandruff and hair loss.
Considerations
If you believe you're suffering from hair loss, contact your doctor to find the best treatment for your oily scalp. Certain illnesses or medications may be causing your oily scalp and hair loss. Inadequate nutrition, diets lacking in B vitamins, zinc or good fats can lead to hair loss.
Related Articles
References
- Short Hair Style: What To Do with Oily Hair?
- Organic Shampoo: Organic Shampoo – Precautions and Advantages
- Mayo Clinic: Dandruff
- Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378.
- Watras MM, Patel JP, Arya R. Traditional anticoagulants and hair loss: a role for direct oral anticoagulants? A review of the literature. Drugs Real World Outcomes. 2016;3(1):1-6. doi:10.1007/s40801-015-0056-z
- Urysiak-czubatka I, Kmieć ML, Broniarczyk-dyła G. Assessment of the usefulness of dihydrotestosterone in the diagnostics of patients with androgenetic alopecia. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2014;31(4):207-15. doi:10.5114/pdia.2014.40925
- Vincent M, Yogiraj K. A descriptive study of alopecia patterns and their relation to thyroid dysfunction. Int J Trichology. 2013;5(1):57-60. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114701
- Peters EMJ, Müller Y, Snaga W, et al. Hair and stress: A pilot study of hair and cytokine balance alteration in healthy young women under major exam stress. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(4):e0175904. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175904
- Pratt CH, King LE, Messenger AG, Christiano AM, Sundberg JP. Alopecia areata. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17011. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.11
- American Academy of Dermatology. Alopecia Areata: Overview.
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Writer Bio
Nicole Adams is an accomplished writer, publishing in print and online. She has submitted hundreds of articles for websites, including CBS Local and Education.com. Adams earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology with concentrated studies in health and nutrition, and animal behavior and nutrition. She loves to cook and volunteers in animal rescue.