An oily scalp is the body's way of creating an environment that is more capable of handling environmental factors such as sunlight, wind and microscopic bacteria. This oil, known as sebum, is a mixture of fatty oils and dead skin cells. The reasons behind excessive oil include poor hygiene, excess hormones and genetics.
Family Ties
Doctors at Derma Doctor diagnose heredity as the single main cause of excess oil production in the scalp. Dihydrotestosterone, a hormone and genetically linked trait, is one of the main factors. If your relatives and immediate family have a history of oily scalp, then chances are that you will, too.
Poor Hygiene
The subject of hygiene is important when addressing the production of excess sebum or oil in the scalp. Oil is a natural and healthy occurrence in our hair that improves shininess, states the University of Cincinnati, but once oil becomes too concentrated, the hair will begin to appear greasy and dirty. Even though regulating hormone production may seem like the best bet to limit sebum output, it is not always successful. Sometimes, simply washing your hair on a regular basis can drastically reduce the level of oil content in the scalp.
Hormones
Puberty is associated with an increase in hormone production throughout our bodies. These excess hormones are sometimes released through the skin in the form of sebum, causing oily scalp. Many medications have also been attributed to causing excess sebum production in the scalp. Drugs affecting hormone levels, like steroids or birth control, can increase the amount of sebum that is released through the skin. Stress can also cause an increase in hormone production.
