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Oily hair

Definition

Oily hair is the result of the oil (sebaceous) glands in the scalp producing large amounts of oil.

Alternative Names

Hair - oily; Greasy hair

Information

Here are some tips for preventing and treating oily hair:

  • Shampoo your hair every day. Leaving the shampoo on your head for at least 5 minutes before rinsing may help.
  • Avoid brushing your hair too often or too vigorously, since the brushing will carry oil from your scalp to the ends of your hair.

Hormones affect oil production. Things that affect your hormone levels (such as stress or birth control pills) may also affect the oiliness of your hair.

Gallery

Hair follicle anatomy
At the base of the hair follicle are sensory nerve fibers that wrap around each hair bulb. Bending the hair stimulates the nerve endings allowing a person to feel that the hair has been moved. One of the main functions of hair is to act as a sensitive touch receptor. Sebaceous glands are also associated with each hair follicle that produce an oily secretion to help condition the hair and surrounding skin.

References

American Academy of Dermatology Association website. Tips for healthy hair. www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips. Accessed December 12, 2022.

Dinulos JGH. Hair diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.

Last reviewed November 30, 2022 by Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

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