Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsHyperseborrheaCausesHome RemediesPreventionWhen to Get Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Hyperseborrhea
Causes
Home Remedies
Prevention
When to Get Help
If left untreated, the buildup ofsebumon the scalp can lead todandruff, acne, local skin infection, and even hair loss.
Verywell / Laura Porter
How Sebum Protects Skin and Hair
Sebum is made up of fatty acids, sugars, waxes, and other natural chemicals that form a protective barrier to prevent water evaporation.
Some of the benefits of sebum include:
When You Have Too Much Sebum (Hyperseborrhea)
When your follicles overproduce sebum, it’s calledhyperseborrhea. This happens when sebum combines with sweat, dead skin cells, and residue from haircare products like hairsprays or hair gels. Excess sebum looks oily or greasy on the skin. When it combines with dead skin cells, it can cause white or yellowish flakes.
Symptoms of hyperseborrhea are similar to other conditions that cause scalp itching and flaking, such asscalp psoriasisandeczema.
These include:
Complications
Complications of long-term sebum buildup can occur if you ignore the symptoms and leave them untreated.
Possible complications include:
Hyperseborrhea and Hair LossThe overproduction of sebum and sweat provides the ideal environment for bacteria likeStaphylococcus aureus(staph) to thrive. Even a mild staph skin infection can lead to a condition calledscalp folliculitisin which inflammation of hair follicles can damage the hair root and lead to hair loss (alopecia).When treated with topical antibiotics or other treatments, the hair loss can usually be reversed, although it may take time.
Hyperseborrhea and Hair Loss
The overproduction of sebum and sweat provides the ideal environment for bacteria likeStaphylococcus aureus(staph) to thrive. Even a mild staph skin infection can lead to a condition calledscalp folliculitisin which inflammation of hair follicles can damage the hair root and lead to hair loss (alopecia).When treated with topical antibiotics or other treatments, the hair loss can usually be reversed, although it may take time.
Causes of Excess Sebum on the Scalp
The reasons behind hyperseborrhea are unknown. With that said, certain factors can increase sebum production and lead to its abnormal buildup on the scalp.
Causes include:
Home Remedies for Hyperseborrhea
Scalp buildup due to hyperseborrhea can be aggravating, but it is usually not serious. There are several simple over-the-counter and home remedies that can help.
Regular Shampooing and Brushing
Good hair care is not only related to the hair products you use, but it is also reliant onhowyou wash your hair and scalp.
Rather than scrubbing your scalp, which can stimulate sebum production,massageit using a gentle, circular motion. Use warm water to rinse your hair as hot water can dry the scalp and increase flaking and itching.
To ensure optimal results, choose a shampoo formulation specific to your hair type that neither irritates the skin nor leaves excess sebum on the scalp.
Examples include:
There are commercial shampoos specially formulated to treat sebum buildup. These “clarifying” shampoos contain ingredients like clay, activated charcoal,argan oil, orsalicylic acidthat gently remove sebum without damaging your hair or the skin of your scalp.
Daily washing is advised for oily hair. For average to dry hair, shampooing every two or three days is likely sufficient.
Scalp Exfoliation
Don’t exfoliate more than twice weekly. Anything more can increase sebum production.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Studies suggestapple cider vinegarhas antibacterial and antifungal properties, meaning it can kill dandruff-causing yeast on the scalp.
To cleanse your scalp with an apple cider vinegar rinse:
Doing this once a week can also help remove excess residue from hair products.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
In a small study published inComplementary Medicine Research, a hair tonic made with 10% lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) appeared to reduce dandruff in people with hyperseborrhea. The twice-daily application also slowed sebum production.
Preventing Sebum Buildup on the Scalp
After you have successfully treated scalp buildup, there are a few simple steps that can help prevent it from happening again:
To catch buildup early, check your scalp regularly for signs of redness, dryness, or greasy patches.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should seek medical attention if your scalp buildup causes a secondary bacterial infection. Asecondary skin infectionoccurs when the skin is cracked or broken, allowing bacteria to access deeper tissues:
See a healthcare provider if you experience signs of a secondary skin infection, including:
Summary
The overproduction of sebum can cause scalp buildup. If left untreated, it can lead to symptoms and complications. Home remedies like regular hair washing, exfoliating, and avoiding harsh chemicals are key to preventing scalp buildup. If you have scalp buildup that won’t go away, see your healthcare provider.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCF Health.Seborrheic dermatitis and the link to hair loss.Harvard Health Publishing.Dry skin.Zouboulis CC, Coenye T, He L, et al.Sebaceous immunobiology - skin homeostasis, pathophysiology, coordination of innate immunity and inflammatory response and disease associations.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1029818.MedlinePlus.Seborrheic dermatitis.MedlinePlus.Dandruff, cradle cap, and other scalp conditions.Sun KI, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519Sun KL, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol. 2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets and causes.American Parkinson’s Disease Association.Sweating and other skin problems in people with Parkinson’s disease.D’Souza P, Rathi SK.Shampoo and conditioners: what a dermatologist should know?.Indian J Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;60(3):248–54. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156355Budak NH, Aykin E, Seydim AC, Greene AK, Guzel-Seydim ZB.Functional properties of vinegar.Journal of Food Science. 2014;79(5):R757-R764. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.12434Chaisripipat W, Lourith N, Kanlayavattanakul M.Anti-dandruff hair tonic containing lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) oil.Complement Med Res. 2015;22(4):226-229. doi:10.1159/000432407
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCF Health.Seborrheic dermatitis and the link to hair loss.Harvard Health Publishing.Dry skin.Zouboulis CC, Coenye T, He L, et al.Sebaceous immunobiology - skin homeostasis, pathophysiology, coordination of innate immunity and inflammatory response and disease associations.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1029818.MedlinePlus.Seborrheic dermatitis.MedlinePlus.Dandruff, cradle cap, and other scalp conditions.Sun KI, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519Sun KL, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol. 2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets and causes.American Parkinson’s Disease Association.Sweating and other skin problems in people with Parkinson’s disease.D’Souza P, Rathi SK.Shampoo and conditioners: what a dermatologist should know?.Indian J Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;60(3):248–54. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156355Budak NH, Aykin E, Seydim AC, Greene AK, Guzel-Seydim ZB.Functional properties of vinegar.Journal of Food Science. 2014;79(5):R757-R764. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.12434Chaisripipat W, Lourith N, Kanlayavattanakul M.Anti-dandruff hair tonic containing lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) oil.Complement Med Res. 2015;22(4):226-229. doi:10.1159/000432407
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UCF Health.Seborrheic dermatitis and the link to hair loss.Harvard Health Publishing.Dry skin.Zouboulis CC, Coenye T, He L, et al.Sebaceous immunobiology - skin homeostasis, pathophysiology, coordination of innate immunity and inflammatory response and disease associations.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1029818.MedlinePlus.Seborrheic dermatitis.MedlinePlus.Dandruff, cradle cap, and other scalp conditions.Sun KI, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519Sun KL, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol. 2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets and causes.American Parkinson’s Disease Association.Sweating and other skin problems in people with Parkinson’s disease.D’Souza P, Rathi SK.Shampoo and conditioners: what a dermatologist should know?.Indian J Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;60(3):248–54. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156355Budak NH, Aykin E, Seydim AC, Greene AK, Guzel-Seydim ZB.Functional properties of vinegar.Journal of Food Science. 2014;79(5):R757-R764. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.12434Chaisripipat W, Lourith N, Kanlayavattanakul M.Anti-dandruff hair tonic containing lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) oil.Complement Med Res. 2015;22(4):226-229. doi:10.1159/000432407
UCF Health.Seborrheic dermatitis and the link to hair loss.
Harvard Health Publishing.Dry skin.
Zouboulis CC, Coenye T, He L, et al.Sebaceous immunobiology - skin homeostasis, pathophysiology, coordination of innate immunity and inflammatory response and disease associations.Front Immunol. 2022;13:1029818.
MedlinePlus.Seborrheic dermatitis.
MedlinePlus.Dandruff, cradle cap, and other scalp conditions.
Sun KI, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol.2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519
Sun KL, Chang JM.Special types of folliculitis which should be differentiated from acne.Dermatoendocrinol. 2017;9(1):e1356519. doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1356519
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets and causes.
American Parkinson’s Disease Association.Sweating and other skin problems in people with Parkinson’s disease.
D’Souza P, Rathi SK.Shampoo and conditioners: what a dermatologist should know?.Indian J Dermatol.2015 May-Jun;60(3):248–54. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156355
Budak NH, Aykin E, Seydim AC, Greene AK, Guzel-Seydim ZB.Functional properties of vinegar.Journal of Food Science. 2014;79(5):R757-R764. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.12434
Chaisripipat W, Lourith N, Kanlayavattanakul M.Anti-dandruff hair tonic containing lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) oil.Complement Med Res. 2015;22(4):226-229. doi:10.1159/000432407
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