Greasy Hair: Cause and Cure

Hair that clumps together and appears stringy or unwashed is usually referred to as greasy hair. The cause of this is usually the sebaceous glands located over the scalp and the over-production of sebum, a waxy or oily type of substance used by the body to coat the hair and protect it. But this naturally leaves those with greasy hair to wonder why it is that they, among all other people, are faced with this dilemma and what can be done to solve it?

Let’s take a closer look at greasy hair. Basically there are two types of greasy hair. The first type is obviously where the hair is greasy and the scalp is not as opposed to the second type where the scalp is greasy but the hair is dry. Regarding the second instance, this might only be because of the use of the incorrect hair care products. If you are using the wrong kinds of shampoo or conditioner, or wash your hair too hard, this will result in the over production of sebum which will give the impression that your scalp is greasy and, if left a bit longer, that the hair is greasy too. But with regards to the first instance, the causes of greasy hair might be a bit more varied. Here’s a list of things to keep in mind:

1. Greasy hair can appear more frequently during certain periods throughout life. These include pregnancy, puberty, menopause or menstruation where hormone activity is irregular.

2. Pollution can cause hair to appear greasy and dull.

3. Continuous contact with the hair can cause stimulation of the sebaceous glands and result in greasy hair.

Now that being said, there are certain cases where abnormal thyroid activity may cause the hair to be greasy that does not necessarily include any of the above reasons. Should any discomfort be experienced, it would be best to consult your local physician.

Right, so now that we know what to watch out for, let’s have a look at what we can do about it. First off we’d have to recommend the professionals, like hair specialists and hairdressers who see greasy hair everyday. These professionals will be able to recommend the correct shampoos and conditioners to remedy your greasy hair condition. But, if you prefer to try it yourself first, here are a couple of guidelines:

1. Consider your diet: do you eat too many foods loaded with fat and oil?

2. Avoid continuous contact with your hair.

3. Wash your hair frequently with a normal shampoo and avoid using greasy hair care products.

4. Wearing a baseball cap or any other type of headgear continuously can result in the build up of sweat.

5. When brushing or combing your hair, be gentle. Continuous pulling and vigorous actions will cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.

Remember that your hair is sensitive to everything you put it through and can also be affected by the environment. Maintaining good health with a balanced diet and exercise should be all you need to keep your hair grease free and looking good.