Hair loss can be brought about by aging or genetic factors, but also by a number of diseases and disorders affecting the scalp. There is a correlation between the health of your scalp the health of your hair. In theory, if your scalp is healthy, your hair will be healthy too. Greasy hair is one of the culprits responsible for causing hair loss because of the dandruff that may appear as a result of an oily scalp. Dandruff can be caused not only by a dry scalp, but also by an excessively oily scalp. What are the causes of greasy hair and how can you prevent hair loss if you’re struggling with an oily scalp?
When the sebaceous glands on the scalp become overactive, your hair becomes greasier. Hormonal imbalances during puberty, pregnancy or menopause can trigger your sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum, which in turn causes dandruff. Greasy hair sticks together and attracts more dirt, and the dandruff it produces can block your hair follicles by interfering with their natural growth cycle. Once your hair follicles are unable to follow their normal growth cycle (anagen – catagen – telogen), they become inactive and start falling out.
The oil glands in your scalp can be affected by several conditions of the scalp such as malassezia, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis, which also cause dandruff, and if left untreated, will lead to hair loss problems. For example, seborrheic dermatitis is known as an inflammation of the scalp caused by excess sebum. As a result of this condition, the scalp becomes irritated, red, flaky and itchy. Itchiness and flaking also occur in the case of scalp psoriasis, which is an inflammation of the skin due to an overproduction of skin cells. By gradually building up, scales and plaques caused by psoriasis suffocate hair follicles, preventing their growth. Malassezia is a fungus that thrives in greasy hair by feeding off the dead skin and oils on you scalp. If it’s not kept under check, it can become excessive and, once again, block your hair follicles.
In terms of treatment methods, you can treat oily scalp, dandruff and associated hair loss with shampoos and topical creams. Shampoos that contain selenium sulphide or ketoconazole can help manage infections caused by malassezia and seborrheic dermatitis. Coal tar is used to slow down the production of skin cells and to reduce inflammation and other symptoms of scalp psoriasis, whereas shampoos with salicylic acid will act on the outer layer of skin cells to counter the effects of scalp psoriasis. In severe cases, patients will be prescribed a course of medicine in order to manage these conditions more effectively.
Sometimes an oily scalp and hair loss are caused by a defective nutrition. The lack of vitamins B, zinc or healthy fats can easily lead to hair loss.
Apart from making changes in your diet, you can also resort to organic and natural shampoos that can help prevent hair loss problems and help you deal with greasy hair. Organic shampoos that contain herbs such as chamomile, lavender, thyme, rosemary, jojoba, jasmine, aloe vera or pomegranate are safer and more effective in maintaining the good health of your scalp and hair.