Problem of Oily Hair
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A common mistake about oily hair is that it is caused by an oily scalp. But it’s not true. A dry scalp causes the oil glands in the scalp to make more oil. That’a why if you want to treat oily hair you need to think about the dry scalp.
How it can be solved? First, it is important to remember that the hair produces no sebum. People who complain of oily hair are actually complaining of an oily scalp. The hair simply wicks the oil away from the scalp. Straight hair moves the oil quickly away from the scalp while tightly kinked hair moves the sebum very slowly away from the scalp. That’ why Asians with very straight hair consider their hair is “oily” while African American people usually judge their hair is dry.
Intense heat and humidity can also make your hair oily.
So can hormonal changes. Androgen, a male hormone, can activate the sebaceous glands. Stress boosts bloodstream levels of androgen in women as well as in men.
Here are some secrets on oily hair avoiding :
- The most important thing you can do is to shampoo your hair daily. For people who tend to have a problem with oily hair, leaving the shampoo on your head for at least 5 minutes before rinsing may help.
- Avoid brushing your hair too often or too vigorously, since the brushing will carry oil from your scalp to the ends of your hair.
- do not use a hair conditioner after shampooing. Sebum is a wonderful conditioner, and additional products are not needed. Any conditioner applied to the hair will only increase the speed with which the hair appears oily.
- Always rinse your hair thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water, because soap residue can make oily hair worse
- For extremely oily hair, a vinegar rinse, comprised of one (1) part vinegar to four (4) parts water can help remove oil from your hair, but be sure to avoid using vinegar on the scalp
- Give yourself a scalp massage. This should be done during the shampoo, never between shampoos
- Excessively oily hair may need to be shampooed twice. Leaving the shampoo on the scalp for 5 minutes each time. This won’t harm the hair or scalp but take all extra oil from your sculp.
- Learn to relax. Hormones have a little-understood effect on oil production. What is known is this: When you’re under stress, your body produces more androgens and that’s make your hair oily.
- Freshen up with lemon. Two lemons and a quart of the cool water after shapooing will help your hair be fresh longer.
- Consider your birth control pill. Birth control pills have a decided effect on a woman’s hormone balance. That in turn affects oil production. Ask your doctor about best pills for you.