To protect itself from elemental forces such as wind, sun and bacteria, the body produces skin oil, also known as sebum. This mixture of dead skin cells and fat excretes from the underlying sebaceous glands of the skin to the surface of the body via the pores. Various factors, including hormone production and cleanliness, can heighten the appearance of oil on the scalp.
Heredity
Dermatologist Audrey Kunin, M.D., of DERMA Doctor, says the main cause of oil production is the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When this genetically-linked hormone occurs in excess, the skin, including the scalp, will produce higher levels of oil than usual. Generally, if you have a family history of excess sweating and oily scalp, you will have a greater risk of inheriting more active sebaceous–oil producing–glands.
Puberty
During puberty, DHT production rapidly increases along with the size and growth of the sebaceous glands, causing oil production to accelerate throughout the body. The “T-zone,” the part of the face from the nose across the forehead, will become the most active oil-producing region. As a result, any contact from this region to the hair following puberty will spread oil concentrations across the scalp.
Lack of Shampooing
As oil gathers in hair it gives it a healthy, shiny look. However, excess concentrations may actually appear greasy. Pranav Sheth, M.D., of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Cincinnati, says few treatments can calm the body’s oil production, and even medicines which lower hormonal activity do not reduce the appearance of an oily scalp. In fact, shampooing may be the best and only way to eliminate an oily scalp. Dermatologist Lowell Goldsmith, M.D., advises shampooing twice or leaving shampoo in longer–up to five minutes–to effectively wash the scalp of oil.
Other Causes
Any sort of medicine or drug, including anabolic steroids or birth control, that alters hormonal production will also result in excess oils on the scalp. Additionally, hot and humid conditions can produce excess sweating without evaporation, causing an overabundance of oil to stick to the skin. Lastly, beware of stress and nervous situations that increase the male hormone, androgen–any rise in hormone production will cause a rise in oil production.
About this Author
Sky Smith has been writing on psychology, electronics, health, and fitness since 2002. He graduated from the University of Florida with honors in 2005, earning a B.S. in psychology and statistics with a minor in math. He writes articles for LIVESTRONG and eHow.
