Oily hair, itching and flaking. This is a very common situation for those who suffer from dandruff and excess oil on their hair. But do you know the reasons for this problem and how to deal with it?
Seborrheic dermatitis, popularly known as dandruff, is an affliction of the scalp and it doesn't always happen only on the head. That's why it's essential to understand the causes and the correct treatments for the condition.
What is dandruff?
As we said, the medical term for dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis. It is an inflammatory process of the skin and scalp that leads to symptoms such as flaking and redness, which may or may not be accompanied by itching.
In addition to the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis can appear on other areas of the face, such as the corners of the nose, the eyebrows and also the neck.
To this day, doctors have not been able to fully understand the causes of this problem. What is known is that, in some people, seborrheic dermatitis can be more intense during times of high stress and also in winter.
What is the relationship between dandruff and excess oil?
If seborrheic dermatitis only appears on the scalp, the cause of the problem may be excessive oiliness.
This happens for various reasons. Stress and hot baths are the most common factors, which is why it's quite common in winter. This is because hot baths cause the sebaceous glands (which are located at the base of the hair follicle) to swell and produce more oil than normal.
This excess causes a build-up on the scalp, which accelerates cell division in the epidermis (the most superficial layer of the skin). The result is flaking of the scalp and the dreaded dandruff.
In addition, excess oil can encourage the colonization of the fungus Pityrosporum ovale - which aggravates flaking and generates even more dandruff.
Other reasons that can lead to excessive oil production are:
- rub the scalp roughly;
- washing your hair too often or too little;
- leaving leftover products in the hair (such as conditioners, pomades and finishers);
- excessive use of hair dryers and curling irons;
- poor diet;
- hormonal imbalances;
- use of certain medications.
What are the best treatments for this condition?
Are you suffering from dandruff and excess oil? There's no need to worry, because there are ways to combat this problem. The first, of course, is to seek specialized help, preferably by consulting a dermatologist.
It is the doctor who will analyze your scalp and your health in general, understanding the causes that are leading to the situation and also whether there are other issues that could be behind the oily hair.
At home, some tips can help reverse the situation, such as:
- use anti-dandruff or anti-fungal shampoos;
- avoid very hot baths because they stimulate oiliness in the scalp;
- not sleeping with wet hair, as this can intensify the colonization of fungi and increase dandruff;
- once the dandruff is under control, alternate between daily shampoos and one specifically designed to control oiliness;
- use a detox shampoo 1-2 times a week to help cleanse the scalp;
- only apply conditioners and masks to the length of the hair (and never to the roots);
- always remove products from the hair well, especially conditioner;
- if you use a lot of finishers and products on your hair, use an anti-residue shampoo once every 15 days;
- if stress helps to aggravate the condition, try to relax and slow down;
- avoid wearing caps, hats and other types of headgear for too long because they make the scalp stuffy, making dandruff worse;
- avoid chemicals during treatment such as dyeing, straightening and others that can irritate the scalp and make dandruff worse;
- don't wash your hair for too long, as excess oil on the scalp encourages the appearance of dandruff. Those with oily hair can wash it once a day (more than this is also harmful).
Finally, if you suffer from oily hair, don't forget to look for specific products for this type of hair, ensuring the health of your scalp too.
Have these tips made it easier to get rid of dandruff and excess oil? Enjoy and share our post with your friends on social media!
