3 Signs Your Scalp Needs a Reset

Do you think that you might have oily scalp? 

Here are 3 telltale signs that your scalp needs a reset:

1. Scalp irritation
2. Overly greasy hair
3. Hair Loss that might be from clogged follicles

When your hair gets oily too fast, our sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. 

Our bodies naturally product sebum to nourish skin, including our scalp. Sebum protects us from environmental stressors and keeps us waterproof. Normally, sebum travels down the hair shaft to condition it, keep it flexible and shiny. Too much sebum and our scalp feels dirty and the oil weighs hair down. Clogged hair follicles can also inhibit hair growth.

According to Healthline, the most common causes of oily scalp are:

• overwashing your hair
• using shampoos or hair products with a lot of artificial chemicals
• skin conditions – you’ll want to see your doctor about this
• genetics – thank your parents

In “ Why Your Hair Gets Greasy and What to Do About It” Danielle Dulchinos of Men’s Health shares, “Anything from an unhealthy diet to high stress to your genetics or how often you shampoo can play a role here.”

What to do about your oily scalp?

Since we can control the most common causes easily, it’s worth trying to reset your oily scalp with these tips. Of course, if these don’t work or you suspect a skin condition, talk to your doctor.

• Cut out fragrance and using gentle ingredients like aloe for more soothing moisture. Try a hypo-allergenic shampoo like ANTIDOTE Chamomile Shampoo for 2 weeks 

• Add rosemary essential oil and apple cider vinegar to your shampoo or try ANTIDOTE Rosemary Detox Shampoo once per week or every month.This will help to rebalance the scalp and remove unwanted product build up. 

• Shampoo less.This seems counter-intuitive, but often oily scalp is our body’s reaction to over shampooing. If you use traditional shampoos, their harsh detergents strip us of sebum. Even if you are already using sulfate-free shampoos, shampooing too much can be sending the wrong signal to our sebaceous glands. Our glands react to the perceived dryness by producing more… sometimes too much more.

Hair Type Matters

Keep in mind that hair texture matters.  Danielle Dulchinos of Men’s Health shares, “Your hair type matters, too. Thick hair, for example, has more sebaceous glands and produces more oil, whereas fine hair can look greasier than thick hair (even with the same rate of sebum production) because there’s less hair for the oil to cover.”

Ingredients to Look for

In Healthline’s “What Causes an Oily Scalp, and How Do I Treat It?” Tim Jewell shares more about ingredients to look for:  “Aloe vera is a natural remedy for dandruff that’s backed by older research. Its use may be derived from its potential to control inflammation that leads to flare-ups.  Apple cider vinegar is a well-loved anecdotal therapy, but it lacks sufficient evidence to support routinely in skin disorders. Some say it’s an effective anti-inflammatory and can help reduce the pH balance of your hair. Both of these capabilities may help reduce oil production and stop flare-ups of skin conditions. However, apple cider vinegar may further irritate your skin if you have eczema. If you decide to try apple cider vinegar, put a few (diluted) drops of it on your scalp after washing your hair. Leave it for a few minutes, then rinse well.” If you use apple cider vinegar make sure it’s diluted!!

Every ANTIDOTE Shampoo and Conditioner uses Aloe Vera as it’s base ingredient.

Things to Avoid

Regarding what not to do, avoid overly moisturizing hair conditioner and stylers. “All of the above not only make hair greasier, but they attract particles in the air, which weigh strands down and make them appear dirtier,” shares Shannon Farrell of Women’sHealthMagazine.

If you think you have oily scalp, check for the telltale signs. Make some easy changes that address the most common causes – these can only help. Be ready to consult your healthcare provider if the issue persists as you might need a little extra help.

Often times, oily scalp is accompanied by dry scalp. Check out our blog on dry scalp here.

We hope this helps. 

Let us know what’s worked for you!

- Abigail + David