In 2021, hair care is an issue everywhere. With a growing population of people suffering from alopecia and other conditions impacting the natural appearance of their locks, it will become more difficult to find ways around having smelly locks without devoting your entire beauty regimen to fixing this problem.
The “my hair smells even after washing” is a common issue for many people. There are different causes of the smell and there are quick fixes too for it in 2022.
What is the source of the odor on my scalp? If you’re sick of your hair smelling like a wet dog, now is the time to do something about it.
Do you believe that your underarms and feet are the only portions of your body that can smell? Yes, they are, but if your scalp and hair are not properly cared for, they may even smell worse.
Now, I understand that stinky hair might be unpleasant, but you should also be aware that it is a very common problem that most people have at some point in their lives.
To answer the question “Why does my hair smells horrible even after washing?” you must first identify the causes of the problem before addressing each one with a remedy.
Don’t worry, I’ve been there and it’s just a few treatments away.
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To make things simple for you, this Tatcha water cream knockoff is my top choice out of the bunch. It’s equally as moisturizing and refreshing on the skin, plus it’s non-greasy and non-comedogenic, and it’s very cheap.
What produces a stench on the scalp?
The first thing you should do is figure out what’s causing your stinky hair. Now, there might be other causes, so don’t panic and make a note of them since we’ll handle them later.
1. Seborrheic dermatitis (seborrheic dermatitis)
You may not be familiar with this word, but I’m sure you’ve encountered this difficulty or heard someone else suffer through it.
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common skin ailment that mostly affects the scalp, although it may also affect the face and upper torso, where sebaceous glands create oil. It creates scaly red areas and persistent dandruff. Which might be causing your hair to smell like a wet dog.
2. Profuse perspiration
Some individuals, like me, are naturally sweating. And some individuals may engage in a lot of physical activity. However, if you don’t clean your hair correctly on a regular basis, perspiration in your hair may serve as a breeding ground for germs on your scalp. And if your shampoos aren’t effectively removing the germs, it might be the cause of your hair smelling terrible even after washing.
3. Seasonal variations
If you reside in a humid environment, particularly especially during the monsoon season, you may have a stinky scalp. Because of the humidity in the atmosphere, microbial growth might occur, resulting in a stench.
4. fungi Infection
It’s possible that the odor is caused by a fungus residing on the scalp. People may develop inflammatory responses such as dandruff or eczema as a consequence.
5. Hair-care behaviors that aren’t hygienic enough
Are you one of those people that washes their hair with hot water? Or if you’ve been wearing a cap or scarf for too long, it’s causing your hair to sweat excessively? Maybe you’ve been putting off getting your hair washed because you’re too lazy or busy? These are some of the behaviors that might lead to stinky hair, and you should eliminate them immediately.
6. sleeping in a moist environment
This has been a source of remorse for me. I had long wavy hair and would wash it at night if I had a big day ahead of me. But this is incorrect, and here’s why.
For females with curly, coily, wavy, or locked hair, mildew or fungus is a common concern. Mildew is a fungus that develops on surfaces and is commonly found in wet or moist circumstances. It is generally gray or white in appearance. It has a musty odor and may be discovered in your house, on fabrics, and even on your scalp and hair. Wet hair that has not been allowed to dry for an extended amount of time is a common source of this issue.
7. Stress and hormonal imbalance
Stress is synonymous with increased sebum or oil production for a beauty obsessive like myself. And that, my friend, is bad for both your skin and your hair.
8. there is pollution
The smelly combination of oil, perspiration and pollution in your hair might be caused by living in a dirty city and travelling a lot.
9. Unhealthy eating habits
People who consume a lot of onion, cumin, and garlic (not targeting Indians, hehe) may notice a terrible stench coming from their hair because oils from these foods are excreted via the skin and scalp.
10. Constantly rinsing your hair
It’s never a good idea to wash too much. Even more oil/sebum is produced, which we definitely do not want.
What is the best way to get rid of a stinky scalp?
Now is the moment to put an end to the mystery of why my hair stinks so horrible even after washing it.
1. Use shampoos designed for odour-prone hair.
Yes, there are shampoos specifically designed to address this issue. If your odor is caused by dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, try shampoos with coal tar, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione.
This is the shampoo I use to get rid of odours in my hair. It includes a clarifying shampoo to remove greasy residue as well as an anti-dandruff treatment shampoo for itchy, flaky scalp caused by polarises or seborrheic dermatitis. You may also purchase these items separately if they suit your requirements.
These drugstore shampoos for oily hair should be in your bathroom the next time you wash your hair if you have very oily hair. This is my particular favourite for greasy hair, and I can’t live without it.
2. Hair mask of Yogurt + Lemon juice
My mother’s table has an age-old home treatment for getting rid of a stinky head. Lemon, like yoghurt, is acidic by nature. The combination of these two may significantly decrease dandruff, bacteria, and odour. If you don’t want irritation or a sun-sensitive scalp, don’t apply lemon straight to your scalp since it’s a very powerful acid.
3. Make use of essential oils
Although I am not a big lover of essential oils, I couldn’t live without my tea tree oil. It’s my go-to overnight acne treatment, and it also works wonders for dandruff and stinky scalp. It’s a powerful antimicrobial that may assist with bacteria or seborrheic dermatitis. As a result, your hair will smell fresh. This is the tea tree oil I use, and it’s also reasonably priced.
4. Use only sulfate-free shampoos
If you encounter sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, which are typically used in shampoos to generate a foamy lather in the shower, run as quickly as you can. These are very harsh on the scalp and cause the strands to dry out. They might be the cause of your hair being overwashed and producing extra oil as a result.
If your scalp is overly greasy, however, you may use a product with a low level of SLSs, such as this one.
5. Rinse with apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a particular place in my kitchen because of its antimicrobial characteristics and capacity to aid weight loss, blood sugar control, digestion, cholesterol reduction, and a variety of other benefits.
That is why it has been shown to be effective in the treatment of dandruff and odor. However, since it is a very powerful substance, it should always be diluted with equal parts water before usage.
6. Do not sleep with damp hair or tie it up.
It’s best to let your hair air dry before going to bed, and avoid tying it up in a bun or pony while it’s still damp. I wouldn’t advocate blow-drying since it may be really damaging in the long run, but if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time, it could work.
How do you keep your hair from stinking?
- Use hair products that are devoid of chemicals and sulfates.
- Avoid allowing excessive perspiration to accumulate in your hair by washing it often.
- When your hair is damp, don’t sleep on it or tie it up. Allow for air drying first.
- Scratching your scalp regularly is not recommended since it causes excessive shedding of dead cells, which raises the risk of microbial infection.
- Regular physical activity and meditation may aid with stress management.
Why does my hair still smell awful after I wash it?
Seborrheic dermatitis, excessive perspiration, fungal infection, seasonal changes, stress, inappropriate food, sleeping in damp hair, and other causes might cause your hair to smell awful even after washing it. So you’ll need to address the issue properly since scented shampoos aren’t adequate to get rid of stinky hair.
Final ideas on why my hair smells so horrible even after I’ve washed it?
There’s no need to feel embarrassed if your hair stinks. Most of us must have been there at some point. The idea is to identify the root causes of your issue before determining what you can do to improve it. The best approach to cure hair that smells like a wet dog is to use the right shampoo, but other home treatments have also shown to be effective.
Why does my hair smell horrible even after washing? Related posts
Why does my hair smell horrible even after it’s been washed?
“Hair smells musty even after washing” is a common problem for many people. The “Quick Fixes For 2021” will help you find the cause of your hair smelling bad and fix it. What can be the reason if hair smells musty even after washing?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my hair still stink after I wash it?
A: Your body odor is a combination of bacteria and sweat. The bacteria that live on your skin emit a gas called ethyl mercaptan, which has the distinctive smell of rotten cabbage. This odor cannot be washed away by washing with soap alone, but can still be removed using vinegar rinse-water
Why does my hair smell bad so quickly?
A: This is likely due to the oils in your scalp not being able to properly absorb on their own, so they are eliminated through sweat. It may also be that you have an excess of sebum or dead skin cells that cant reach your hair follicles and instead accumulate around the roots of your hair.
How do I stop my hair from smelling?
A: Some people recommend using dry shampoo, while some say that getting a haircut can help.
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