Some people spend hours each day taking care of and cleaning the oil from their skin and hair. This oil, also known as sebum, erupts from the sebaceous glands beneath the surface of the skin to naturally protect the skin and hair from damage and to keep both moisturized, soft and healthy. Various factors, including hormonal changes and personal hygiene, affect the oiliness of skin and hair.
Puberty
The onset of puberty marks changes in both hormonal activity and the size of your sebaceous glands--the glands which produce oil and sweat. Consequently, the greasiness of your skin increases as you transition from childhood into adulthood. Some of the excess oil production will spread into the hair follicles, causing oily hair; however, the majority of oily hair problems stem from brushing, which spreads oil from the base of the hair roots to the tips.
Genetics
Variations in the amount of oil production depend greatly upon family history and heredity, according to research at DERMAdoctor.com. In fact, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is responsible for sebum/oil production, is more active in individuals who have parents and grandparents with higher levels of DHT. Like androgen, this hormone shows up during puberty and increases the amount of oil production on the skin, also increasing the risk of acne.
Excess Hormones
Dr. Thomas Goodman, a dermatologist at MotherNature.com, warns that birth control pills can alter a woman's hormonal regularity. Stress, as well as any increase to your hormone levels that may raise your amount of androgen can cause an overabundance of oil production. Nevertheless, oily skin is not the end of the world; it may be much easier to rinse skin more frequently than to stop using birth control.
Personal Hygiene
Ultimately, the buildup of oily skin and hair depends on how often you clean your face and scalp. Skin experts at MotherNature.com point out that the skin will continue to secrete oil to protect itself despite your efforts. Rather than trying to stop it, rinse off the excess secretions faster than the rate at which they are produced. Furthermore, make sure to thoroughly wash your hair with shampoo before brushing it to prevent the spread of oil throughout your hair and scalp. With better hygiene, skin and hair will appear less oily over time.
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