suddenly oily hair that won't correct

[Danavee]

This discussion is related to suddenly oily hair that won't correct.


Question to the Dr.  

Could this be overactive sebaceous glands?  I have had sebaceous cysts in the past.  Could excessive sweating cause this to happen.  Sweating dries out the skin, therefore causing the glands to produce more oil to compensate for the loss?  When your stressed, you sweat.  During menopause, you sweat.  In the summer, you sweat.  If your febrile, you sweat.

I am a 38 year old female and also started experiencing a heavy oily area around the crown of my head about 3 1/2 weeks ago.  I asked my Dr. and  he acted as if I was crazy.  He suggested I use Neutrogena shampoo once a week, which I started yesterday.  To add to the other comments....I am extremely stressed (thought that was it).  I am going through peri-menopause.  I have not changed shampoos in 15 years (I alternate head and shoulders and Pantene).  I have never had any problems with oily skin or oily hair ever.  I wash my hair daily and condition.  I have not changed my daily regimen in 2 years

One thing I have tried was applied Shower to Shower powder to my hair before going to bed and washed out in the morning (not the sexiest looking thing at night but it helps).  It drastically reduced the oil, but came back 2 days later.  The only thing I worry about is clogging the glands that are producing the oil, so I don't do it daily...maybe once a week.  I will try the Irish Spring soap, that will not clog the glands...just dry out the hair.  Another suggestion I haven't tried was go to a good hair dresser who has shampoos that change the PH balance of your hair (If this goes on another month I will try this.  It's kinda drastic.)

[msrancher]

All of sudden I, too, experienced the same greasy hair in the crown area.  I am in menopause and normally have beautiful hair.  I found this blog and discovered there were several suggestions on how to get rid of the oily hair.  It just so happens that the first solution I tried WORKED.  I used ½ tsp dawn dish soap mixed with 3 Tblsp listerine.  I simply washed and rinsed my hair.  I did not let the mixture sit in my hair for any amount of time.  I also did not use conditioner.  It worked immediately and oddly enough, my hair is silky and shiny.  This process is drying out my hair a bit so I have been putting moroccan oil on the ends of my hair prior to using the blow dryer.  I am thankful to all those who have commented on this issue because I was at a loss of what to do.

[JMoroni]

None of the suggestions here have minimized any of the effects for me.  I'm off the the Dermatologist tomorrow.

Good luck all.

[greasyhairoutofnowhere]

Jmoroni,  I am going to my dermatologist tomorrow - I know it's a few years later, but am curious what you found and what worked for you?

[JMoroni]

This thread of information has saved my sanity!  

I suffered through shingles in early January, centered on the v1 and v2 nerves that cross the eyelid and extend through the scalp.  The greasy/oily sensation started at that time and I assumed it was part of the effects of the virus.  The shingles were relieved in a few weeks, but the oiliness has stayed and expanded.  

I'm trying the Suave/Listerine combination tonight and will post results.  Thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions; home remedies got me through shingles, hope it does the same here.

[oneguysgram]

I too found a horrible greasy patch in the crown of my head and had no idea why,as I have always had normal to dry hair.I checked this site and saw I was not alone.The Suave and listerene really,really works!!! I used it once and back to normal.Drs really need to start listening to women. Thank you so much...

[BlkBeltMama]

Just wanted to say thanks for putting up instructions on what to do with this unusual waxy, sticky, oily hair problem. My daughter 9, had this. We used the Suave clarifying shampoo with the original Listerine. Worked like a charm! =)

[ercmusic727]

NIOXIN Scalp Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner for dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis. It works wonders.

I had the same problem with the greasy spot on the crown of my head. One use of the Nioxin took it out immediately. After about a month's use, I could start using my regular shampoo and conditioner. I think the spot may be stress-related because it appeared about a month after I started graduate school. I had also developed stomach issues similar to acid reflux around the same time (also probably stress-related). Another likely explanation is hormonal, but I've been on the same birth control for a couple years.