Stylist Must Know: Root Cause of Oily Scalps
Healthy scalp care starts with understanding, not just treating your client’s symptoms. One of the most common scalp concerns faced in salons is excess oil production. But contrary to popular belief, the solution isn’t scrubbing harder or shampooing more often. In fact, these habits can often make the problem worse.
The Root Cause of Oily Scalps
You can’t completely change your scalp’s oil behavior, several underlying factors influence it:
-
Hormonal fluctuations
-
Inherited genetic traits
-
Environmental factors and climate
-
Lifestyle and Habits
-
Dietary choices and nutrition
These elements set the stage for how much sebum your scalp naturally produces. However, what often triggers excessive oil, and what stylists can help correct, is overcleansing or the use of harsh products, which might strip away natural oils and cause the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive.
Why Overwashing Is Hurting Clients’ Scalps Health?
“The goal isn’t zero oil, but balanced oil production.” When clients try to eliminate oiliness by over-washing, they inadvertently strip the scalp of its protective oils. In response, the body compensates by producing even more oil. This creates a frustrating cycle:
-
Client overwashes to reduce oil
-
Scalp dries out and becomes irritated
-
Sebaceous glands respond by producing excess sebum
-
Scalp becomes greasy again
Learn more about Overwashing or Not Washing Enough
How to Support Scalp Balance in the Salon?
1. Choose the Right Cleanser
Products that gently shampoo while respecting the scalp’s natural barrier.
2. Adjust Shampoo Frequency
Help clients find their ideal shampoo routine based on scalp condition, not trends. Some may thrive on every-other-day cleansing; others may need only twice a week.
3. Incorporate Scalp Treatments
Introduce scalp pre-treatments and exfoliators to remove buildup and balance the microbiome. This sets a healthy foundation for hair growth and oil regulation.
Scalp Education Is Key
Stylists are more than just hair artists, we are the first line of care for our clients’ scalps. Understanding the science behind scalp behavior empowers you to guide your clients with facts, not fads.
