Very Oily Scalp - oil specks

[longhairgal]

hi Doctors

Im 28 and i have been growing my short to long hair now in the last 3 years. Back years ago I would wash my hair every 2-3 days, but since I cut and colored and bleached my hair, with some hair products, i started to wash it every 1-2 days...as it became longer, i washed it more frequently. Nowadays i have to wash it at least once a day because the scalp jsut becomes so oily, though the hair is somewhat dry. My scalp is so oily that from washing and letting it dry on its own(occasionally blow drying to see if it'll be less oily, but not)... lets say in abt 2 hours or so... when i put my fingers onto my scalp around the crown of my scalp, i can actually see specks of oils....  by morning and the next day at work, the specks of oils are greater and by the end of hte day, it's just all oily and produces a bit of a smell too....  I dont want others to think i dont wash my hair coz i do wash it everyday, yet just 2-3 hours after, it becomes oily. I havent used conditioner for some months and I shampoo at least twice for each wash..sometimes three times. conditioner maybe once a fortnight when the hair is too dry and knotty during the wash.

CAn you suggest something doctor?
ive tried different shampoos, sunsilk and fructis, dove and other unknown brands. i tried using johnson n johnsons baby shampoo just tonight.

Some other posts mentions tree tea shampoo. ive never tried.. might give that a go!! neither have i tried vinegar or lemon.. but have they really worked for other people?

Feel free to comment please! =)

Longhairgal.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

HI,

An oily scalp usually occurs when there is an overproduction of sebum which is often associated with hormones. It is necessary to wash hair regularly with a shampoo for oily hair, in order to remove excess sebum and slow oil production. If it persists, have this checked by your dermatologist for further evaluation. Also, try avoid massaging the scalp while shampooing, because it unnecessarily stimulates sebum production.

Take care and regards.
  

[JerseyGirlNB]

Hi Rowena,

Do you know what someone can do for the over production of sebum based on hormones?  I have a ridiculously oily face / scalp but it gets worst based on my cycle.  My derm put me on aldactone but my potassium got too high.... is there anything else that can help.... my derm has no more answers for me.

Thanks,
Jersey

[Lovely_Leo]

I FOUND A CURE!!!!  So I posted a thread on this website about a week ago.  I titled it different, but it is about the EXACT SAME problem!!
My "grease spot" was apparent as soon as I got out of the shower.  Therefore, I thought that whatever it was, it just wasn't washing out.  So, last Saturday I took a shower and used Head & Shoulders.  I scrubbed and scrubbed until my hands ached.  I rinsed.  Then I put on THREE more applications of shampoo, each time scrubbing until my fingers hurt.  I rinsed each time, skipped any conditioner and got out.  I let my hair air dry.  To my HORRIFFIC dissappointment, my ENTIRE HEAD looked as if I dipped it in oil as it began to dry.  I was so upset, I cried.  I threw it in a ponytail and headed down to our local beauty supply house.  (Here it is called Sally's Beauty Supply.  I think its a franchise).  The clerks were all amazed and dumbfounded about the "grease spot" but said that by "overwashing" my hair, I put my oil glands in my scalp into overdrive, causing this new abundance of oil!!!  With that being said, I bought some "dry shampoo".  It is a powder-like spray that is used in between shampooings.  You spray it on any oily or greasy spots, brush it through and BOOM, your hair looks clean, dry, and smells good.  I also bout "Generic Brand" Tea Tree Shampoo there.  (It is really called 'Generic Brand' and its generic for Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Shampoo equivelant)  
As soon as I got home, I sprayed the dry shampoo and it completely transformed my oil head into clean, healthy looking hair.
I wasn't convinced that it was cured, so I didn't wash it the next day.  I figured I needed to let my natural oils regulate somewhat.  I DID wash my hair on Monday.  I washed with the Tea Tree stuff and figured, if I "overwashed all the natural oils out last time"... maybe I SHOULD condition a little to add moisture.  So I conditioned a little, and guess what??  As soon as I blow dried it, everything looked perfect!!!  I am proud to say that the spot has been gone SIX whole days now!  
Not sure what causes it, but with my remedy, I think it has something to do with the balance of the oils in our scalp getting out of whack somehow.

I hope this helps all of you!!!!  GOOD LUCK!!!!