The buildup of debris and bacteria on the scalp can cause the hair follicles to become inflamed. An infection of the follicles, which doctors call folliculitis, can also develop. Without treatment, folliculitis can cause sores that never fully heal, and the resulting scabs can cause hair loss.
If the hair follicles on your scalp get clogged or irritated from a buildup of sweat or hair products, you can develop a common skin condition called folliculitis. This is when the hair follicles get infected or inflamed, causing red or white-headed pimples that leak pus or blood if you pop them.
Baking soda acts as a natural clarifier and helps in eliminating scalp buildup efficiently. Add 2 tsp of baking soda into 1 cup of water and stir it thoroughly until it forms a clear solution. Pour this solution onto your scalp after hair wash and massage it for a few minutes before rinsing.
The scalp is skin, so it naturally sheds dead skin cells. Oil produced by the scalp can build up as well. Together, dead cells and oil create a “natural” buildup. From there, hair care products can add to the buildup mix, explains Rubin.
"An unhealthy scalp shows hair loss, hair breakage, dandruff, redness, pain, acne, cysts, and itching," says Ayesh. Penny James, a certified trichologist and founder of Penny James Salon, says there are a lot of factors that can contribute to an unhealthy scalp.
If people are using oily or waxy hair products or not cleansing their hair thoroughly, it can cause a buildup of oil, skin cells, and sweat in the hair. This may make it still appear greasy after washing. Oil may also come from items a person uses on their hair frequently, such as: hair towels.
Sebum buildup appears as white or yellowish oily residue on the scalp. It sometimes produces flakes on the scalp and may be mistaken for dandruff, scalp eczema, or psoriasis.
Your scalp and your strands need moisture to stay healthy, so try to cleanse once a week if possible. If you're working with fine or thin hair, or you have an oil-prone scalp, you may need to suds up a few times a week, every other day, or even daily (if you're, say, running a marathon in scorching heat every morning).
It is normal for dead skin cells and natural oils to accumulate on the scalp. However, excess use of hair care products, improper hair rinsing, and skipping hair washing can cause scalp buildup. The glands in the scalp produce a natural, waxy oil called sebum that moisturizes and protects the scalp and hair.
If you scratch your scalp with wet dandruff, it will also feel wet. This article discusses home remedies and prescription treatments for wet dandruff, and which ones to use depending on the cause.
“Shampoo is designed to provide a deeper and proper clean to your hair,” shares Feisal. “Water alone cannot break down scalp oils, stubborn dirt, pollutants, and product buildup, nor will it adjust the cuticle—which is very important.”
Water is effective at washing away dirt, dust, and other water-soluble debris from the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of this sebum. However, Mamelak notes that if there are other oils in the hair (from a haircare or styling product, for example), a good portion of these will be left behind as well.
How Much Should You Wash? For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.
Have you ever scratched your scalp and noticed white, waxy buildup under your nails? That's sebum mixed with dead skin cells. It's hard for shampoo alone to wash away your oily scalp issues. And issues like stress and weather can increase the scalp's sebum production, making you even oilier.
Dandruff flakes are actually dead skin cells that naturally fall off the scalp — more so if you scratch. Many people think that a dry scalp is synonymous with dandruff, but either a dry scalp or an overly oily scalp can cause excess cells to clump and fall off, forming dandruff flakes.
A healthy scalp should not have any redness or dryness and should be free of flakes or any signs of infection. Your scalp should look clean, smooth, and moisturized with no dryness on the surface. If you are experiencing any itchiness, irritation, or burning, this can indicate that your scalp is unhealthy.
If follicles on the scalp are not kept clean, they are unable to generate healthy new hair or keep existing hair in good condition, which can lead to hair thinning and hair loss.
Wash to suit your needs and your hair type. Oily and fine or thin hair types should wash every one to two days. This schedule allows for removing buildup and the natural oils to stimulate hair health and growth. Wavy or curly hair and dry or damaged hair types should wash in the range of once every four to seven days.
This dirt accumulates in your hair shaft, causing scalp inflammation which can lead to redness, itchiness, and pain upon contact.
Scalp fungus, or tinea capitis, is a type of fungal infection that affects your skin and hair. It won't turn you into a zombie, but it can alter your appearance. Scalp fungus is often referred to as scalp ringworm.