How to reduce sebum

What is sebum?

Sebum is an oily substance made up of fatty acids, cholesterol that is released by sebaceous glands due to hormonal activity. It also contributes to our body odour. Although sebum is required because it gives the skin protection against harmful bacteria and provides the skin with a nice glow, over production or excess sebum can be harmful in several ways.

Sebum and acne

It is well known that overactive sebaceous glands resulting in too much sebum is responsible for blocking pores that leads to formation of acne. Sebum travels to the skin surface via the hair follicles. There, the follicles assimilate with dead skin cells that block pores leading to early stages of acne.

Hair loss

Although hair loss in most men is due to male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), there is strong evidence that there is high occurrence of excess sebum in men suffering hereditary hair loss.

Excess sebum combined with dead skin cells can damage hair follicles because sebum gets through to the surface along the hair follicles. It may therefore be no coincidence that many hair loss sufferers complain of oily scalp.

Sebum reduction tips

• A clean diet that reduces intake of fats
• Washinghair and body after rigorous exercise.

Nizoral is effective at reducing sebum

Nizoral, an anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole as its main ingredient, has proven to be extremely effective at reducing sebum production. This is partly because Nizoral is an anti androgen, anti androgen is a hormone which, when overactive, increases sebum production to excess levels.

Nizoral should be used about 2/3 times a week in the quantity suggested. Continued use of Nizoral should allow users to control sebum production and reduce sebum to more normal levels.

Do not over use Nizoral because it has some minor side effects such as headaches and overuse can result in dry looking hair, though using a good hair conditioner can solve this problem.

Treatments such as spironolactone reduce the activity of androgens, which in turn has an effect of reducing sebum.