Hair loss affects thousands of men and women and the many causes of hair loss vary in degrees of severity. The condition of your scalp can make a big difference in the health of your hair. An oily scalp can lead to dandruff or other conditions which can interfere or slow hair growth.
Hair Loss
Your hair goes through three phases of its growing cycle and hair loss can occur when this cycle is interrupted. The first phase of the growing cycle is called anagen, the active growing part of the cycle that usually lasts from two to six years. The second phase is called catagen. This phase is short and the stage in which your hair becomes protein. The last phase of the growing cycle is telogen. During this phase, your hair falls out and the hair follicle returns to the first phase, starting the process over. If your hair follicle fails to begin the first phase again, your hair follicle becomes inactive and you gradually lose your hair.
Oily Scalp
An oily scalp can be caused by overactive sebaceous glands which create excessively shiny hair. The oil attracts dirt more easily, often causing the hair to stick together and produces dandruff. An oily scalp can be triggered by a hormonal imbalance, such as during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. An excess buildup of oil on the scalp can lead to dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or scalp psoriasis, all of which are detrimental to healthy hair growth.
An oily scalp can lead to hair loss because of the resulting dandruff. Severe cases that are left untreated block the hair follicles, inhibiting the natural growth cycle. Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin and scalp from an excess buildup of oil. It causes your scalp to be flaky, itchy, red and irritated. Scalp psoriasis is also an inflammation of the skin and scalp. It’s characterized as an overproduction of skin cells. Scalp psoriasis causes flaking, itchiness, redness, irritation, scales and plaques. The plaques can suffocate your hair follicles, rendering them inactive.
Treatment
There are a variety of shampoos for treating oily scalp, dandruff and hair loss. Shampoos that contain ketoconazole or selenium sulfide help fight the infections that cause seborrheic dermatitis which can lead to hair loss. Coal tar slows the production of skin cells, helping reduce inflammation, redness and irritation, treating scalp psoriasis. Shampoos that have salicylic acid peel away the outer layer of skin cells to treat scalp psoriasis. Organic and natural shampoos can also help hair loss. Herbs such as rosemary, chamomile, thyme, lavender, aloe vera, jojoba, jasmine and pomegranate, found in organic shampoos, are gentle, safe and effective.
If you believe you’re suffering from hair loss, contact your doctor to find the best treatment for your oily scalp. Certain illnesses or medications could be causing your oily scalp and hair loss. Inadequate nutrition, diets lacking in B vitamins, zinc or omega 3- and 6- fatty acids can also lead to hair loss. If your hair loss continues, consider the advanced innovations of hair restoration.
