Yes, it's a very common situation! Many people experience this hair imbalance, where the scalp produces too much sebum while the lengths and ends remain dry and damaged.
But why does this phenomenon occur, and how can it be effectively addressed?
Why do we have oily scalps and dry lengths?
This imbalance can be caused by several factors:
✔️ Excessive sebum production : The scalp, like facial skin, naturally produces sebum to protect itself. However, some people have an overproduction that quickly makes their roots oily.
✔️ Washing too frequently : Washing your hair too often can damage the scalp, which reacts by producing even more sebum.
✔️ Inappropriate care : using shampoos that are too rich or too drying can disrupt the scalp's natural balance and weaken the lengths.
✔️ Excessive use of heating tools : hair dryers, straighteners or curling irons dry out the hair fiber and accentuate the contrast between oily scalp and dry ends.
✔️ External aggressions : pollution, climate change and dry air in winter can also aggravate the situation.
What routine should you adopt to balance your scalp and lengths?
✅ Use a gentle, cleansing shampoo : choose a shampoo specially formulated for oily scalps, but without being too aggressive, in order to regulate sebum production without irritating.
✅ Avoid shampooing too frequently : try to space out washes to 2 or 3 times a week to limit overproduction of sebum.
✅ Apply a moisturizer to the lengths only : use a conditioner or nourishing mask on the lengths and ends, without touching the scalp to avoid weighing it down.
✅ Promote targeted care : a gentle scalp scrub, a light oil applied to the ends before shampooing, or a leave-in serum can help rebalance the hair.
✅ Reduce the use of heating appliances : favor air drying when possible and use a heat protectant before any heat styling.
Conclusion
Having an oily scalp and dry lengths is a common problem, but there are solutions to help you find a better balance. By choosing targeted treatments and adopting good hair care habits, it's entirely possible to have healthy hair, from cleansed roots to well-hydrated ends!
