The oily substance produced by the scalp's sebaceous glands that lubricates hair and skin. Excess sebum contributes to an oily scalp and dandruff and can make hair look limp, but sebum itself does not cause pattern baldness — the link between oiliness and hair loss is largely a myth.
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Not medical advice. General education only; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Consult a board-certified dermatologist before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
⚠️ When to see a doctor — don’t self-treat
- Sudden patchy or circular bald spots
- Redness, scaling, pus, pain or itch (possible scarring alopecia — treat urgently)
- Broken hairs or rapid loss
- Loss with body-wide signs (weight loss, fatigue, cycle changes, acne, extra hair)
- Loss right after a new medication
- Any hair loss in a child