ABSTRACT
Sebum production by the sebaceous glands is a natural process which is beneficial to the hair. However, any excess in the sebum load leads to unpleasant cosmetic and esthetic effects, and in some cases fuels specific disorders. Greasy hair looks dull and moist, and lies in thick, flat masses that are difficult to comb. Hairs are impregnated and weighed down with sebum which makes them adherent and flattens them on the scalp. Greasyhaired people notice that, after wiping or even washing, the sebum coating is quickly restored, a fact responsible for coining this condition “seborrhea” (from the Greek rheos, river). Seborrhea strictly refers to lipid production and excretion secondary to sebaceous gland activity. Most seborrheic subjects have both a greasy scalp and a greasy forehead, but some divergence between these locations may be found.
