Does an Oily Scalp Cause Hair Loss?

When you start experiencing hair loss, it’s easy to panic and jump to conclusions. Is it your shampoo? Is it your diet, or how tightly you wear your ponytail? Who knows! Although all of these things can definitely contribute to hair loss, is it reasonable to think that an oily scalp might be the culprit? We think it might be! The state of your scalp can make a HUGE difference in the health of your hair, and it’s important to take care of it. Here’s why!

What Causes Oily Hair?

Your scalp, like the skin on the rest of your body, contains small oil and wax-producing glands called sebaceous glands. The oil produced from these glands is called sebum! In addition to keeping your skin moisturized, these glands are responsible for your hair’s hydration, too! When your glands are producing too much oil, this can cause your hair and scalp to be overly greasy. Although this seems harmless, excess oil can clog pores on your scalp which can prevent your hair follicles from growing normally! And as a result, you may experience rapid hair loss.

What causes sebaceous glands to over-produce oil?

There are lots of factors that contribute to oil production of these glands, but the most well-known is fluctuating hormones. (“Ew, gross!” I know. It’s okay.) Stress can also be a factor for BOTH genders, as stress can cause an imbalance in hormones for men and women! (Stress is the ultimate bad guy. Let’s blame everything on it.)

In addition to keeping your stress levels low, you can prevent an oily scalp by avoiding shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that contain heavy oils and resins. There are also dermatological (skin-related) conditions like psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis in your scalp that can cause skin cell build-up and increased oil production in sebaceous glands.

Can an Oily Scalp Cause Hair Loss?

The short answer is yes! The slightly less short answer is that an oily scalp definitely contributes to hair loss but is often not the sole cause of it. Excess amounts of oils can trap and attract dirt, dandruff, and product build up, which clogs pores and prevents new hair growth. In addition to this, one of the leading causes of hair loss in men over 50 has been linked to the hormone DHT, which shrinks the hair follicle as well as causes an oily scalp.

How Can I Prevent an Oily Scalp?

There’s no need to panic if you struggle with an oily scalp or greasy hair! In fact, there are super easy ways to prevent hair loss via oiliness! Drinking plenty of water, striving for a healthy diet, and reducing daily stress can all be awesome steps towards balancing hormones that cause excess oil production. You can also try shampooing every other day, and using a clarifying shampoo like Solu shampoo once a week. If need be, you can wash more frequently or daily, but try using a gentle sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, like Minu shampoo and conditioner!

Another helpful step to preventing an oily scalp is using a scalp treatment! A scalp treatment can help you exfoliate, invigorate, and gently cleanse buildup from your scalp. Just like we exfoliate our skin, our scalp needs love too! We carry the excellent Energizing Superactive, which helps stimulate hair growth after hormonal hair loss. It is one of our most popular products due to it’s effectiveness in preventing further hair loss and allowing thinning hair to recover and regrow.

Thank you for reading!

We hope we were able to help shed some light on oily scalps and help you prevent hair loss! As hair professionals, we know that hair loss can be a blow to your self confidence, and we want you to know that you’re not alone. There are lots of steps we can take to reverse hair loss, and it’s all about finding what works for you! If you’re in the Chandler, Arizona area and would like a consultation with a hair professional, click the button below to schedule your consult today!

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