Thank you for asking, this is definitely not the first time that we are getting this question. There can be many reasons for a stinky scalp. We are going to share some of the most common, but we do recommend that if it persist that you discuss with your stylist, dermatologist or trichologist.
Some of the common causes of stinky scalp:
Wash Frequency
How often you wash your hair can definitely affect scalp hygiene, but what most people don’t know is that you have to be careful on both ends of the spectrum. If you don’t wash your hair often enough dirt, bacteria, fungus and yeast can build up on your scalp; sometime causing an odor. If you wash your hair too often you can dry your scalp causing your sebum glands to go into overdrive creating excess oil and throwing your scalp out of balance.
Air Flow / Circulation
A lack of air circulation is a common cause of sweaty or stinky scalp. Seasonal changes can be a catalyst in scalp odor as during the winter our scalp pores contract moving from humid indoor environments to cold dry outdoor environments. This sometimes traps dirt, sweat and sebum in the doors causing odor and irritation. Sometimes a protective style for your hair is not always a protective style for your scalp. While wigs, extensions and protective styles can be convenient and incent hair growth, without the proper scalp hygiene the inability of airflow on the scalp can cause sweating, fungus and in some situations mildew.
Diet
Your diet or sudden changes in your diet can result in both body and scalp odor. The oils from the fat contents in some meats can be retained in your body and emitted through your pores. Additionally, the spices that are contained in your diet can affect your natural body scent. Next, we always recommend that you check your vitamin levels. Finally, an increase in the amount of yeast in your diet can affect the amount of yeast on your scalp causing a breeding ground for more serious problems including dermatitis.
We highly recommend trying the Canviiy ScalpBliss Soothing Scalp-Purifying Foam Treatment to gently cleanse the scalp and remove excess build up to achieve a refreshing clean smelling scalp.
We have outlined some of the normal causes of stinky scalp, but it is important note that odor can be a symptom of a larger problem. We always recommend that you also discuss scalp symptoms with both your stylist and dermatologist or trichologist.