Oily Scalp: What Causes It and How to Care for It

If your hair looks slick a day after washing, the issue usually starts at the scalp, not the hair. A little oil is a good thing — it’s how your scalp protects itself — but when there’s too much, hair goes flat and greasy fast. Here’s what’s actually going on, and how to keep your scalp balanced at home.

Why scalps get oily

Your scalp produces sebum, a natural oil that keeps skin and hair healthy. Some scalps simply make more of it, and a few everyday things push production higher: washing too often (which can backfire and make the scalp overcompensate), heavy or silicone-based products that build up over time, hormones, and plain genetics. Oily scalps are common, and none of it means you’re doing something wrong.

Keeping a healthy scalp at home

• Wash on a rhythm that suits your scalp rather than daily — over-washing often makes oiliness worse, not better.
• Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo, and rinse thoroughly.
• Every week or two, a clarifying wash clears the product buildup that traps oil.
• Go easy on heavy leave-in products near the roots.

Balance, not stripping, is the goal.

When it’s worth a closer look

Most oily scalps settle down with the right routine. If yours stays stubborn — or comes with persistent flaking, itching, or thinning — it can help to have someone look at it properly. Dréa can take a look and point you in the right direction. No pressure; sometimes it’s just a matter of adjusting a few products.

André Richard Salon · 1503 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 · 215-287-4926