Recurrently oily hair can be a source of frustration among many men and women. Fear not, however, as there are a number of ways it can be remedied so as to have less of an impact on your life. Although greasy hair can sometimes look neglected, it is nothing more than the result of either a poorly managed beauty regime or a natural process. No matter what the cause for your oily hair problem, we have various tips, tricks and recommendations to help ensure it doesn’t stop you from looking and feeling great.
With proper and diligent care your hair will soon turn into a healthy mane
Greasy hair is the result of overactive sebaceous glands, which are producing too much sebum. Although sebum benefits the hair, keeping it healthy, smooth and preventing it from drying out and breaking, too much can cause the hair to look slick and greasy. An excessively oily scalp can also be a nuisance and is related to outbreaks of dandruff.
Common causes for oily hair are:
- Heredity problems
- Unhealthy eating habits
- Medications
- Improper hair care
The changing of seasons, hormonal fluctuations and extended periods of stress can also have an impact on greasy hair.
Knowing the underlying reason for your problem is essential in order to find the appropriate oily hair treatment. In more serious cases, a dermatologist can prescribe medication that will regulate the sebaceous gland secretions. However, in most cases, implementing a thorough routine using the right products for oily hair will help provide to control and manage the problem on a day-to-day basis. Note that people with fine or straight hair are most susceptible to a buildup of oil and therefore should consider following one or more of these recommendations every few weeks.
Many of the best treatments for an oily scalp can likely be found in your own kitchen. These products are all-natural and can be used at home:
- Apple cider vinegar can help to restore your scalp’s pH balance and therefore control oil production. Dilute into a 1:8 solution with water and pour through your hair. Leave for a few minutes and rinse.
- Tea tree oil holds natural antifungal properties and used sparingly can help to cleanse the scalp
Banish greasy hair and love life
Adding vitamin B rich foods (especially B2 and B6) to your diet is believed to help moderate your sebum production. These means trying to consume more foods like seaweed, leafy greens, and pulses. In general, cutting out greasy foods and increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables, as well as drinking plenty of water every day will help your hair to improve the general condition of hair, skin and nails.
Get rid of oily hair and enjoy beautiful clean locks
When it comes to oily hair care, you might be tempted to pursue a policy of ‘more is more.’ When it comes to shampooing, however, this is rarely effective. Using a good clarifying shampoo once every two weeks will do a far better job of deep cleaning and stripping away a buildup of scalp oil. In-between times, try to use a mild shampoo once every 2-3 days. Where possible, skip the washing altogether and instead use a dry shampoo.
Avoid products for oily hair that contain proteins or lipid-replenishing substances such as oils or silicon. These only make a difficult situation worse by weighing the hair down and making it even greasier than before. If you aren’t sure how to judge a product, take a look: on the whole, use shampoos with a translucent appearance and avoid creamy ones.
When it comes to conditioner, be as sparing as possible; applying just once or twice a week is ideal. Only apply it to the middle of your strands and down to your roots. Allowing it to settle on your scalp can exacerbate the problem of an oily scalp. Also remember to use a small amount, about the size of a quarter.
In order to prevent oily hair from becoming more problematic as the day progresses, there are certain cuts and styles that can help you to manage it. Excessive contact with your hands and immediate environment will not only contribute to an oil buildup on the scalp but also encourage it to spread down the strands. For this reason, our styling recommendations involve keeping the hair secured firmly off the face:
- Refrain from over brushing as this will only distribute the sebum all through your hair from the roots to their ends. To remove knots, use a wide-toothed comb.
- Avoid all sticky styling products such as mousse, hairspray and wax.
- Wear your hair in a top knot to look chic while removing all temptation to mindlessly play with it.