Best Home Remedies for Oily Scalp and Hair

Introduction:

Are you worried about oily and greasy-looking hair? Here are some remedies that can be used at home to keep your hair oil-free and clean.  

Oily scalp and hair are common problems many people face at some point in their lives. Oily and greasy-looking hair can make people self-conscious. The scalp has more number of sebaceous (oil) glands present, which can contribute to the oiliness of the scalp and hair. Sebaceous glands present on the scalp produce a large amount of sebum (oil), giving you an oily scalp and hair.¹ Keeping the scalp clean is essential for getting healthy hair.   

If the presence of excessive oil on the hair and scalp makes you uncomfortable or self-conscious, you can contact your healthcare provider and get the necessary treatment. Do inform them of any past allergies from medications or any treatment that you may have taken. You can also use these remedies to help you eliminate the excess oil on the hair and scalp.  

What Causes Oily Scalp and Hair?

Oil glands are the glands present beneath the skin surface. These glands are more abundant on the scalp and face. Oil glands are formed alongside a hair follicle. Oil glands produce oil, which imparts oiliness to the hair and scalp.¹  

Several factors govern the secretion of oil on the scalp. These factors are: 

• Age: Sebum or oil secretion varies at different points in life. Young adults have the maximum number of oil-producing glands. Oil secretion is the highest among the age groups 15 to 30 years.  
• Gender: The oil production in men is more than in women. Males produce relatively more oil throughout their life.      
• Genetics: Overexpression of certain genes associated with oil production can be a major reason for the overproduction of oil on the scalp and hair.  
• Diet: High amount of dietary lipids in the blood can pass unchanged into the oil-producing glands. Also, eating in high amounts could contribute to variations in oil production.    
• Ethnicity: Certain ethnic groups can have the presence of more oil-producing glands than others. Ethnicity and race affect oil production from the scalp and hair.    
• Seasonal variation: Oil production increases with the rise in temperature. Warmer or colder seasons may impact the secretion of oils in the hair and scalp.¹  

Don’t brush your hair too much. While you should brush your hair as needed, over-brushing can cause the hair follicles to produce more oil.

Dr Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies for Silky Hair

Symptoms of Oily Scalp and Hair:

Signs of oily scalp and hair are the oily and glossy appearance of hair.  Other serious symptoms of oily hair and scalp are given below. 

• Hair loss  
• Itchy scalp  
• Dandruff²  

Home Remedies for Oily Scalp and Hair:

Here are some remedies that you can make use of to take care of excessive oiliness of the hair and scalp.  

1. Tulsi:    

Tulsi leaf paste can be applied to the scalp to clean the hair roots and scalp. It may also soothe the scalp, improve blood circulation, and reduce irritation and dandruff. Irritated and damaged skin produces more oil. It is valuable for keeping the scalp healthy and promoting the growth of hair.³ You can use fresh leaves of tulsi to make a paste. Apply this paste to hair and scalp evenly and wash it off with water after some time. Washing the hair and scalp with tulsi paste may help you get rid of oil from the hair and scalp.    

2. Shikakai:    

Shikakai is often used as a natural cleanser. It has been used traditionally to make herbal shampoos. Shikakai is used as an ingredient in herbal shampoos. It is valuable for hair. ³ You can use shikakai powder to wash hair and remove the oil from the hair and scalp. Shikakai powder can be used to wash the hair. You can also make shikakai powder to make a hair pack. Mix shikakai powder with some yoghurt to make a paste. Apply this paste as a hair pack. Use this hair pack once a week to get rid of excess oil from hair and scalp.    

3. Neem:    

You can use neem leaves as a cleanser while washing the hair. Neem might help open the clogged pores on the scalp and promote hair growth. Neem is also effective against problems like dandruff, which can be caused by an oily scalp. You can use neem leaf powder to wash your hair.³ Take some neem leaf powder and mix water to make a grainy paste. Apply this paste evenly to the scalp and hair. Let it be for some time. Wash it off using cold water to get clean hair and scalp.    

4. Reetha:    

Reetha or soapnuts have good cleansing properties. It may also impart soothing effects on the scalp and make the scalp healthy.³ Mix some reetha powder with water to make a smooth paste. Massage this paste on hair and scalp, leave for some time, and then wash it with water. It might help remove the dirt and oil from the scalp. Use this reetha paste as a hair mask whenever needed.    

The antimicrobial qualities of apple cider vinegar make it effective against fungi and bacteria that cause scalp infections. Regular use of apple cider vinegar for hair wash can help you heal your scalp and become itch-free. Alpha-hydroxy acid, present in apple cider vinegar, is an exfoliant that cleans up scalp and reduces dandruff.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

5. Fuller’s Earth:    

Fuller’s earth, known as Multani mitti in Hindi, is an excellent absorbent. It might quickly absorb oil and dirt from the scalp. To use fuller’s earth, you can make a paste by mixing fullers earth with water. This paste can be applied to hair and scalp to remove oil and dirt. The paste can be rinsed off using water afterwards.⁴ You can use fuller’s earth as a hair mask whenever needed to get rid of excess oil from the hair and scalp.      

6. Hair Wash:    

You can start washing your hair more often to remove all the accumulated oil and dirt. The frequency of hair wash depends upon how much oil is produced on your scalp. If your hair is too oily, you need to wash it at least once every day. For older people, frequent hair washing is not necessary as the scalp produces lesser oil.⁵ You can make a herbal cleanser at home using herbs like amla, reetha, and shikakai and boiling them in water. Use the water after straining to wash the hair. You can also use Multani Mitti or fuller’s earth to wash your hair.   

7. How to shampoo the scalp?      

The scalp is where the oil gets accumulated and is transferred to the hair afterwards. Use more shampoo for cleaning the scalp. Using excessive shampoo on your entire hair might make it dull and course.^5. Choose a shampoo that suits your hair the best and does not cause damage by everyday use.  

8. Condition the Tips:  

Avoid applying conditioner on the scalp or on the entire hair length. Using conditioners can make the hair and scalp greasier. If you need to use conditioner after shampoo, apply it to the hair tips and wash it properly afterwards.⁵ You can use the conditioner of your choice. 

Though there are studies that show the benefits of the given herbs and home remedies for dealing with oily scalp and hair, these are insufficient. There is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these herbs and home remedies on human health. Thus, these should be taken with caution and never as a substitute for medical treatment.  

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies for Thick Hair

Over-washing of hair and scalp is ironically a major cause of scalp irritation and inflammation as it can dry out your scalp and trigger an increase in oil production.

Dr Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

When to Seek Medical Help?

Oily hair and scalp are common problems people encounter at various points in their lives. It usually does not require medical intervention. However, some people may feel self-conscious because of excessive oil on their hair and scalp. You can seek medical help if: 

• Having oily hair and scalp makes you uncomfortable and self-conscious 
• The oily scalp is causing dandruff, hair fall, and other hair and scalp problems  

You must not rely on home remedies alone for the management of oily scalp and hair. Neither should you self-medicate. You should consult a qualified doctor for any advice for oily scalp and hair if the symptoms don’t improve.  

Conclusion:

The skin of the scalp is rich in oil glands, which are present along with the hair follicles. Sebum production on the scalp makes it oily. This oil is carried to the entire hair length. You may quickly get rid of oil from your hair and scalp by washing it frequently and taking proper care of your hair. There are many herbal ingredients that you can use to keep the hair and scalp free of oil. Herbs like shikakai, reetha, neem, and tulsi may be used to wash the hair and scalp to make it healthy and shiny.  

You contact your skin and hair doctor (dermatologist) if the oiliness makes you uncomfortable and the home remedies don’t work out. If you are also affected by other hair problems like dandruff, itchiness or other medicinal allergies, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider.    

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies For Dry Scalp

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Sakuma TH, Maibach HI. Oily skin: an overview. Skin Pharmacol Physiol [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2022 May 17];25(5):227–35. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22722766/ 

2. Lourith N, Kanlayavattanakul M, Nualsri C. Development and clinical evaluation of green tea hair tonic for greasy scalp treatment. Journal of Cosmetic Science [Internet]. 2016;67:161–6. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308149951 

3. Pal RS, Saraswat N, Wal P, Wal A, Pal Y. Preparation & Assessment of Poly-Herbal Anti-Dandruff Formulation. The Open Dermatology Journal. 2020 Jul 14;14(1):22–7. Available from: https://opendermatologyjournal.com/VOLUME/14/PAGE/22/FULLTEXT/ 

4. Madnani N, Khan K. Hair cosmetics. In: Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2013. p. 654–67. Available from: https://ijdvl.com/hair-cosmetics/ 

5. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Tips for healthy hair [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jun 8]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips 

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