An oily scalp may make your hair look more greasy than usual, but it is generally no cause for concern. In some cases, an oily scalp may be accompanied by flaking yellow or white scales, says the Mayo Clinic. If you also suffer from scaly skin, you may have seborrheic dermatitis, which also causes dandruff. If it's OK with your doctor, you can use home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for your oily scalp.
Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo
If your oily scalp is accompanied by red patches of skin and dandruff, use a zinc pyrithione shampoo to eliminate the problem, says the Mayo Clinic. Zinc pyrithione shampoo is available over the counter at drugstores. Zinc pyrithione is an antifungal and antibacterial medication that helps reduce the fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Lather up with zinc pyrithione shampoo every time you wash your hair, and use your fingertips to massage your scalp before rinsing.
Condition the Ends
If your oily scalp is making the roots of your hair look greasy by the end of the day, don't condition your entire head. Instead, apply a small amount of conditioner to the ends of the hair, and leave the scalp alone. Conditioner is designed to moisturize hair, but individuals with oily hair do not need any additional moisture. Rinse the conditioner off thoroughly, says Roy Teeluck, a stylist at Julien Farel Salon in New York City. Otherwise, the residue from the conditioner may make hair feel oily.
Dry Shampoo
Apply a small amount of dry shampoo to the roots of your hair at the end of the day to zap oil, recommends Pantene hairstylist Cheryl Marks in an article in Fitness magazine. Dry shampoo is available at drugstores, beauty supply stores and specialty hair stores. Apply a small amount of dry shampoo powder to your scalp, then rub it in with your fingertips. Brush your hair from roots to ends a few times to distribute the powder and allow it to soak up the oil on your scalp. Repeat as necessary throughout the night to control oil.
Brush Less
Brushing hair too often can spread the oil from your scalp throughout your hair, making it look more greasy, says Lowell Goldsmith, M.D., a professor of Dermatology and chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Brush your hair as soon as it has dried after washing it, then leave it alone as much as possible throughout the day. Touching your hair may also distribute the oil in your scalp to the rest of your hair, says Teeluck.
