However, it might not be possible to wash your hair that often. That is when the tips and tricks mentioned below can help you keep smelly hair and scalp at bay! Read on to know more!
Why Does My Scalp Smell?
Your scalp can be stinking or smelling weird for various reasons. One reason is that you have an oily scalp. Individuals with oily skin usually have an oily scalp. While scalps that produce too much oil don’t necessarily always smell bad, they do give off a distinct sour smell. Bad odor from an oily scalp is usually a result of bacterial activities up there. Bacteria are almost always present on your scalp, whether your scalp is oily or not. Excess oil provides these bacteria with the nutrition they require to thrive on and proliferate. This can give off a distinct foul odor. Other factors known to contribute to a smelly scalp are listed below.
What Causes Smelly Scalp And Hair?
As you are aware, an oily scalp is one of the primary reasons for the smell. Factors known to make your scalp extra oily are:
Not washing your hair for some days or poor hygiene Hormonal changes Medical conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff, or allergic contact dermatitis Excessive sweating Pollution
All these factors can contribute to making your hair and scalp smelly. Now that we have a fair idea about why freshly shampooed hair starts smelling weird after a couple of days, let us look at some natural hacks to battle this issue.
How To Get Rid Of Smelly Scalp And Hair Naturally
Home Remedies To Remove Smell From Hair And Scalp
1. Essential Oils
a. Tea Tree Oil
6 drops of tea tree oil2 1-2 tablespoons of jojoba or sweet almond oil
You can do this 1-2 times daily. The pleasant smell of tea tree oil can leave your hair smelling fresh, and its antimicrobial properties can help battle the microbes causing the smell (1).
b. Neem Oil
5-6 drops of neem oil 1-2 tablespoons of any carrier oil
Do this 1-2 times in a day. Neem oil is antimicrobial (2). Hence, it can be used to eliminate the constantly replicating microbes that cause your scalp to smell bad.
2. Lemon Juice
2 teaspoons of lemon juice 1-2 cups of warm water
Repeat the process twice a week. The bactericidal effects of lemon may help combat the bacteria that are causing your hair to smell bad (3). Lemon can also combat dandruff, one of the many causes of a smelly scalp.
3. Garlic Oil
4-5 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
You may do this 1-2 times a week for best results. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the sulfur compounds in garlic can fight the bacteria that are causing your scalp to smell bad (4). Note: Applying garlic can cause irritation in some cases. Hence, please do a patch test before you apply it.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
½ cup of apple cider vinegar 2 cups of water
You can do this 1-2 times a week. The antibacterial nature of apple cider vinegar can help combat the bacteria thriving on your scalp (5).
5. Tomato Juice
You Will Need 1 medium-sized tomato You can do this 1 to 2 times a week. Tomato pulp exhibits antibacterial properties that can help in getting rid of the odor-causing bacteria on your scalp (6).
6. Baking Soda
1 tablespoon of baking soda ½ cup of water
You can do this once a week.
Why This Works
The antibacterial nature of baking soda can help in getting rid of the odor-causing bacteria on your scalp (7).
7. Avoid Using Conditioner On The Scalp
Conditioners are only meant for your hair and not your scalp. Applying conditioner to the scalp can make it even more oily, giving a chance for the odor-causing bacteria on your scalp to multiply. In addition to these remedies, you can also follow the tips mentioned below to prevent your scalp and hair from smelling bad.
How To Prevent Smelly Scalp And Hair
Wash your hair regularly. Treat the root cause of the odor, like dandruff (if any). If you sweat a lot, wear light clothing. Use a mild fragrant shampoo. Avoid the temptation to scratch your scalp as it increases the secretion of oil. Avoid touching your hair constantly. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, wear a scarf or hat to protect your hair from environmental pollution.
Why does my hair smell even after washing? If your hair ends up smelling a few hours right after washing it, you are most probably suffering from smelly hair syndrome. This syndrome manifests itself in one symptom, which is a terrible odor emanating from your scalp. What shampoo is good for a smelly scalp? Shampoos that contain a lot of sulfur can help with a smelly scalp and hair. Sulfur can help combat bacteria and fungi that contribute to a stinky scalp. How many times a week should you wash your hair? If you have an oily scalp, you can wash your hair daily or alternatively with a mild shampoo. Individuals with a healthy scalp can wash their hair twice or thrice a week.
