Oily Hair And Everything You Need To Know About It
Oily hair is quite a problem in today’s beauty advertising and people are constantly looking for ways to give an end to this dreary beauty affliction. Various products are designed for this purpose, but not all of them seem to be effective.
Now, we already know that our hair has its natural oil (sebum) which is produced by sebaceous glands. Every pore in the skin of our scalp produces sebum because our hair needs the presence of this natural oil for healthy growth. Sebum also benefits our hair as it keeps it hydrated and it gives our strands that healthy natural shine. Moreover, there are bigger chances to have oily hair if you also have oily skin, studies find.
Sometimes, because of an improper hair routine, excess oil in the hair is produced. Other times it happens because of other issues going on in the scalp, which we cannot control much. However, in most of the cases, it only takes a small change in our hair routine and we can manage the greasiness on our hair. Thus we will fret no more about wearing hats and doing our hair in ponytails or braids when we go out.
In the meantime, it’s a general fact that we all want our hair to look refreshed, voluminous, and bouncy. We don’t want it to look limp and lifeless as overproduction of oil makes it look. However, there is hope if this is happening to you. We’ve listed greasy hair causes and some tips on how to get rid of oily hair below on this article. Scroll down to learn more:
Photo by Valerie Elash on Unsplash
What causes oily hair?
Hormonal issues can lead to excess production of sebum but so can your hair routine and also humid weather. The greasiness also depends on your hair type – this because straight hair tends to become oily easier than curly hair since the oil travels easier to the hair tips when hair is closer to the head. Whereas curly hair is more greasy in the roots because it’s harder for the oil to travel down the hair shaft. There are also other factors that cause greasy hair like:
Washing And Brushing Routine
The way you scrub your hair during shampooing can stimulate oil production and so can the washing cycle. In contrary to the old belief that oily hair should be washed every day, you can train oily hair and wash it only 2-3 times per week. At first, it might seem hard to keep up with the new routine but in the meanwhile, your hair will be used and it won’t be that greasy as it was in the beginning. Also brushing your hair too often can lead to greasy hair as the oil will be distributed throughout your strands.
Hair Products
The oil in your hair might be caused because of the wrong hair products you might be using, or simply because you’re using too much of them. The daily hairspray that you use to give that updo a final touch might give your locks a luscious look but it also may have a side effect on greasiness. Be careful with shiny products, and also various shampoos containing oil. Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly when you use conditioner, or you can only apply conditioner from mid-shaft of the hair.
Touching Your Hair Too Often
It might have become a habit for you to touch your hair unconsciously as you work or watch your favorite series. Well, there is some truth that you might not like about that. The oil that is secreted in your hands during the day can be transferred to your hair and it will result in greasiness. Time to shut down this habit, huh?
How to get rid of greasy hair?
1. Rinse it well
Be careful with shampoo because if not rinsed well, the buildup can lead to greasy hair. You can choose a lightweight shampoo, that helps you replenish and balance the moisture on your scalp. Next, you can try to use conditioner first and then shampoo. Then, make sure to rinse it thoroughly with cold water if possible.
2. Don’t wash your hair often
Yes, you heard it right, the washing cycle can play a major role in the accumulation of oil in your hair. If you wash your hair every day, you can strip the hair of its natural oil (sebum). Therefore in an attempt to compensate the lost oil, excess oil will be produced. Try and wash your hair 2 to 3 times per week, and as times goes by, your hair will be trained enough with new the routine and greasiness will be reduced.
3. Reduce using the hair straightener
None of us wants our hair to form split ends nor look frizzy or greasy. However, we use the hair straightener too often without knowing that we’re fastening the process of greasy hair. When our hair is straightened, it is far easier for the oil to travel down to the hair ends. Also, applying other heat tools into your hair may encourage the production of sebum and therefore you will end up washing your hair every single day.
4. Take care with the use of hair products
Overusing hair products such as conditioner, sprays, mists, hair wax, mousse, serum, hair gel, and the like – weight your hair down and make it look greasy. Try and avoid products that make your hair shiny and focus more in the oil-free ones. At the end of the day, we don’t want our hair to look limp, lifeless and hidden under the hat.
Some more tips for greasy hair:
Use lukewarm or cold water to rinse your hair as it prevents sebaceous glands from going into overdrive.
Don’t keep your hair too much tied.
Reduce the use of hairdryers, straighteners, and curly wands.
Consider the intake of vitamin B.
Use an oil-free shampoo and lightweight conditioners.
Balance your brushing.
Add a bit of baking soda to your shampoo every two weeks (as it removes the oil and cleans product buildup from the scalp and hair).
For emergency cases – use a dry shampoo or baby powder then massage to the hair scalp (in this way you can go out without washing your hair every day).
You might also be interested in: 10 Easy Hairstyles You Can Rock When Your Hair Is Looking Oily