How do I know if my hair is oily or dry? Does it make a difference if I'm a guy with short hair?
-- clueless

Dear clueless,

Your hair condition hangs in the balance, literally. There is a mechanism in the human body called a "negative feedback," that detects changes in internal body conditions, followed by physiological responses designed to return it back to balance, or homeostasis. This life-preserving operation is similar to a room thermostat sensing a drop in air temperature, which in turn, triggers the heater to turn on so that the room returns to it's pre- determined "comfort zone."

Oily hair is such a negative feedback process. Your body is producing oil because it is receiving word that your scalp is too dry. In other words, oily hair is really a solution to dry scalp conditions, not a problem in and of itself. Dry hair is not a sign of oil slicks, however, and often results from over use of coloring agents, perming, heat curlers, and electric hair dryers. Fragile hair follicles that break easily or split (split ends) are commonly associated with dry hair.

According to a New York stylist to the stars, gentle moisturizing shampoo is your best bet for both oily and dry hair. Moisturizer for oily hair? Yes, remember that negative feedback loop: treating oily scalp/hair with more oil will signal the body that too much oil is present, thus slowing internal oil production.

Your gender and the length of your hair shouldn't impact its oil content, nor your awareness of it. If that part of your question is a separate inquiry from the first portion, Alice thinks that short hair, long hair, or no hair at all looks just fine on guys of all kinds. Enough of what Alice thinks, what do think...of Alice's hair?

Alice

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