Smelly hair syndrome involves a malodor that your scalp and hair produce due to a variety of bacterial and fungal growth.
It must be embarrassing to have a scalp with a foul odor.
People often compare the odor of smelly hair and scalp to sour milk, dirty socks, and sometimes stinky diapers. People can easily notice the pungent stench.
Normally, your hair has either no smell or smells like the fragrances in your hair care products – like the shampoo or conditioner you just used.
Run your fingers along your scalp a few times and then smell your fingertips. If you notice any unusual, bad, or pungent smell, you have a smelly scalp and hair.
The main reasons for a smelly scalp and hair are excess oil (sebum), yeast and dead skin cells on your scalp.
Here are some reasons why your hair smells bad:
Not Washing Enough
Not shampooing enough can build up oils (sebum) on your scalp and lead to a smell. If you have an oily scalp or super thin hair, consider washing your hair with a mild shampoo every two days to keep the sebum levels in check.
Sweaty Hair
Sweat is a common cause of smelly hair. If you are working out a lot and not washing your hair regularly, it can build up a sweat on the scalp.
Pollution
The pollutants in the air can get deposited on your scalp and cause odors. They mix up with the oils and sebum on your scalp to emit pungent smells.
Hormonal Imbalances And Stress
Stress can disrupt normal hormonal functions and can lead to excess oil production and scalp irritation.
Diet
The skin on your scalp too reacts to foods containing strong odors. Foods like onion and garlic contain oils that can be excreted via the skin on your scalp.
Wearing Hats/Scarfs For Too Long
This one’s tricky. While it is important to cover your hair with a hat or scarf while you are out in the sun and polluted environment, it can be bad too when you use it for a very long time.
Leaving your hat on your hair for prolonged periods can increase sweat on your scalp and hair, causing it to smell.
Hair Masks
We love pampering our hair with hair masks every now and then. Don’t we? But hair masks containing ingredients like onion or egg can leave a bad odor even after washing the hair.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions like dandruff can sometimes lead to a smelly scalp and hair.
Dandruff is caused due to build up of dead skin cells that fall off as white flakes. An irritated scalp due to dandruff is a breeding ground for bacteria and hence, odor.
Washing Hair With Very Hot Water
Hot water strips off the natural oils from your hair and disturbs the oil balance. Once the oil is removed, it signals the skin to make more oil. And more oil means smelly scalp.
Chemical Hair Products
The residue from chemical hair care products mess with the oil balance in your scalp and result in an unpleasant odor.
Choose your shampoos, conditioners, serums and masks that contain gentle ingredients.
How to Get Rid of Smelly Hair
Hair Care Routine
Understand your hair to use hair care products that suit your hair type. Wash, condition, detangle, protect and style your hair.
Choose hair care ingredients that address your individual hair concerns, if any. Establish a hair washing schedule after knowing your hair type and scalp type.
Medicated Shampoos/Prescribed Hair Products
If yeast or bacteria is causing a smelly scalp or smelly hair, you should turn to anti-fungal hair care products.
Talk to your doctor about such products and incorporate them into your hair care routine.
You have degreasing shampoos, residue removing ones and sulfur or selenium sulfide shampoos for dandruff.
Natural Methods
Home remedies for smelly hair do not hold any scientific evidence, but people consider them to be effective. Here are some of your options:
Lemon Juice
The words lemon and fresh usually go hand in hand. Lemon is anti-microbial and leaves a fresh citrusy smell on your scalp. Mix 2 teaspoons of lemon juice with a cup of warm water. After hair wash, pour this mixture on your scalp and hair. Rinse well with cold water after a few minutes.
Essential Oils
Mix a few drops of essential oil like tea tree oil with a carrier oil like almond or jojoba oil and apply on your scalp and hair.
Leave on for 30 minutes and wash with a gentle shampoo. Tea tree oil is antimicrobial and leaves a pleasant smell on your scalp. You can try the same method with neem oil – another wonderful essential oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water. After thoroughly washing your hair, rinse your hair with this vinegar mix. It not only combats bacteria on your scalp but also gives a shiny appearance to your hair.