Oily Scalp Solutions
Oily scalp is a problematic condition that can lead to greasy hair, dandruff or a skin disorder known as seborrheic dermatitis. Excess oiliness, also known as seborrhea, is one of the most common scalp conditions. Treating your oily scalp is usually possible using home remedies and certain over-the-counter medicated products, although in extreme cases, you may require prescription-strength medications.
Causes and Symptoms
Oily scalp often results from an excess production of your skin's natural oils, or sebum. This can cause your hair and scalp to feel greasy or dirty, even if you've recently washed your hair. Oily scalp can cause scalp acne or dandruff. Treatments generally focus on reducing the amount of sebum your scalp produces while cleansing and removing dead skin cells and other buildup from your scalp.
- Oily scalp often results from an excess production of your skin's natural oils, or sebum.
Medicated Shampoos
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Certain medicated shampoos, such as those containing salicylic acid, tar or selenium, may help to alleviate some oily scalp conditions such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. You often will need to shampoo your hair twice, because the excess sebum produced by your scalp tends to destroy the lather that actually helps to cleanse your scalp and hair 3. Over-the-counter shampoos reduce oiliness and buildup of dead skin cells.
Prescription Remedies
If over-the-counter shampoos are not effective in treating your condition, you may need to see your dermatologist to obtain a stronger medication. Prescription-strength ointments, creams and gels containing 2 percent ketoconazole, 0.77 percent ciclopirox or 10 percent sulfacetamide can help to reduce the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.
Alternative Medicine
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Apple cider vinegar is a folk and natural healing remedy for oily scalp. Rinsing your hair with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and rosemary or chamomile essential oil can help to reduce scalp oiliness, alleviate dandruff and remove buildup and residue from styling products. Aloe is another folk and natural remedy for oily scalp. Mix 1 pint of water, 1/2 pint of aloe vera gel and 20 drops of cypress, juniper or lavender essential oil to make a soothing hair tonic that can reduce excess oiliness and itching of your scalp.
Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from leaves of the tea tree, a shrub native to Australia 2. Shampooing with tea tree oil is an effective alternative remedy for dandruff caused by oily scalp. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo and wash as usual 3. Treat dandruff and alleviate oily scalp conditions by massaging five to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil directly into your scalp.
- Apple cider vinegar is a folk and natural healing remedy for oily scalp.
- Rinsing your hair with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and rosemary or chamomile essential oil can help to reduce scalp oiliness, alleviate dandruff and remove buildup and residue from styling products.
Professional Care
If your hair is excessively oily or greasy, speak to a dermatologist. Oily scalp can often result in other, more serious, skin disorders such as seborrheic dermatitis. A dermatologist can provide you with a proper diagnosis and discuss your possible treatment options.
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References
- The Dr. Oz Show: Your Guide to Fungal Infections
- "Australian Tea Tree Oil First Aid Handbook: 101 Plus Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil"; Cynthia B. Olsen; 1999
- DermNet NZ: Shampoo
- "Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair and Skin Care"; Erich Keller; 1999
- Boston University School of Medicine Continuing Education: Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T. Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease. Indian J Dermatol. 2010;55(2):130-4. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62734
- Gavazzoni dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. 2015;7(1):2-15. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450
- Datta HS, Mitra SK, Paramesh R, Patwardhan B. Theories and management of aging: modern and ayurveda perspectives. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:528527. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep005
- Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006;19(1):50-62. doi:10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006
- Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;47(6):852-5. doi:10.1067/mjd.2002.122734
- Huang TH, Wang PW, Yang SC, Chou WL, Fang JY. Cosmetic and therapeutic applications of fish oil's fatty acids on the skin. Mar Drugs. 2018;16(8). doi:10.3390/md16080256
- Piccardi N1, Manissier P. "Nutrition and nutritional supplementation: Impact on skin health and beauty." Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 Sep;1(5):271-4.
Writer Bio
Ashley Miller is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, certified Reiki practitioner, yoga enthusiast and aromatherapist. She has also worked as an employee assistance program counselor and a substance-abuse professional. Miller holds a Master of Social Work and has extensive training in mental health diagnosis, as well as child and adolescent psychotherapy. She also has a bachelor's degree in music.