Nobody likes having oily hair. Even people who intentionally add oil to their hair can’t wait to wash it off with a shampoo. However, you can’t really do anything about it. Oil is an integral aspect of your body’s functioning, where it moisturises and protects your skin from various elements. The problems only start when there’s too much oil secretion.
What causes oily scalp and hair?
Your skin hides numerous sebaceous glands underneath, which create a waxy oil like substance known as sebum. This secretion is supposed to coat your skin and create an acidic shield on the body, keeping out bacteria, germs and pollutants.
As the scalp and face are sensitive parts of your body, there is a higher concentration of these glands in those regions. This is why you have a tendency of developing an oily scalp more than an oily forearm, making you search for that oily scalp treatment. This can happen because of the following:
- Poor hair care – Washing too little or too much
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Underlying medical conditions
- Seasonal changes
- Allergic reactions
- Excessive product use
- Unhealthy diet
Making a few adjustments in your life can help you prevent an oily scalp.
Diet for Oily Scalp
What you put into your body can determine how it responds. If you’ve identified the cause of your oily head to be your food, a great oily hair treatment is to make the following changes in your diet.
Add fats
There are good fats and bad fats. You need to reduce the intake of processed foods with saturated fats, while increasing the consumption of fatty acids – mainly omega-3 and omega-6. This can have an impact in regulating your hormonal balance, reducing inflammation, and promoting hair growth. Fish, walnuts, avocados, soybeans, seeds, grains, etc.
Reduce high glycemic food
A diet for oily scalp cannot include large consumption of sugar and high-glycemic foods. Such foods can spike your blood sugar and thereby increase insulin levels in your system. This is directly linked to an increase in sebum production. Carb-rich foods can have a similar effect.
Leafy greens
Every parent’s dream is for their kids to eat their green veggies and maybe it’s time you start. Increasing the amount of healthy vegetables and fruits can have a direct impact on the oil levels. Find foods with proteins, minerals, and vitamins A, E, C, B. This could be a great oily hair treatment.
Nuts and Seeds
These can offer you fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and even zinc. Almonds, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds – take your pick. Zinc can become your best friend in the fight against dandruff, as it can help regulate your oil production. You will need Biotin, a type of vitamin B, to help with the absorption. These are available in foods beyond seeds as well (think eggs, yoghurt, dark chocolate).
Reduce dairy products
Although there are certain benefits to having milk products in your diet, it can lead to a greasy head and possibly even an itchy scalp with dandruff. Milk contains a lot of hormones which are meant for the calf, and this can create disorder within your system. They can break down in your body and cause a spike in oil secretion.
Although improving your diet will show changes on the oiliness, it won’t be immediate. You should always use a good shampoo for oily hair until your body has reset. If this oiliness has led to dandruff, you should use products like Head and Shoulders Lemon Fresh, which deep cleanses and provide scalp hygiene.
