If there’s anything that works as a double-edged sword, it’s greasy hair. While sebum (the oil glands) keeps your hair strands protected, it most certainly doesn’t take too long to turn into grease. That feeling of waking up to deep-fried heavy hair is you have greasy hair.
Oil glands work as essential nutrients and protect the scalp of our head. However, when the oil glands become overactive on the scalp, greasy or oily hair is the outcome. You might be thinking it’s the hormones acting up, but that’s not really the case. Your hair mostly gets greasy for different grooming habits that aren’t suitable for your hair type.
Too much grease can give you an itchy scalp and even cause medical issues to some extent. That’s why we’re here to show you how to make your hair less greasy so you can avoid such circumstances. To know more about oily hair and how you can prevent it, read on.
What Causes Greasy Hair
It’s a common question to almost everyone, “why does my hair get so oily so fast?”, “Is this natural or abnormal?”
Well, the answer to these questions is simple. The reason behind your greasy hair might be you, yourself! That’s right, daily habits and habitat are the key reasons why you might be facing greasy hair almost every other day. However, this scenario is rather natural and happens to many.
In exceptional cases, people undergo hormonal changes that trigger the sebaceous glands to act up. The reasons are many! Some of them are mentioned below.
Over-washing
Whenever someone faces greasy hair, they automatically resort to washing their hair– a common misconception. While washing your hair might seem like a solution, it can actually be counterproductive.
Washing your hair too much doesn’t only disturb the scalp produces but also makes your hair greasy. Overwashing is one of the common causes that can make your hair greasy.
Wrong Shampoo
I’d you find out your hair is more oily with excess grease, it’s likely that the shampoo you’re using a wrong for your hair. Shampoos can’t depend on one another in terms of hair types.
While one type may be suitable for dry scalp and the other for oily scalp. So, there’s a likely chance of the shampoo being the reason behind your greasy hair.
Using Too Much Conditioner
Conditioners are not made for the scalp. It only works best when applied to the tip of the hair. However, many people use conditioner on their scalp and it disrupts the natural oils.
Applying too much conditioner on your roots doesn’t do a deep clean. Instead, it makes your hair super greasy.
Applying Too Much Serum
Just like the conditioner, applying too many serums can produce excess oil– resulting in a head full of greasy hair. While serums might generate hair health, adding too much might spoil the process and give your greasy hair.
Product Buildup
Almost every other person uses some kind of product in their hair to increase its performance or outlook. Be it shampoo, hair gel, hair spray, and even conditioner, there’s always a possibility of product buildup in our scalp.
Carelessness or unhygienic habits like not washing the hair after using these products can produce grease making your hair greasy.
Not Washing the Hairbrush
We keep using our hairbrushes and never look into them. Have you ever thought of cleaning your hairbrushes? No matter the hair type, hairbrushes can hoard all kinds of stuff that stick out of your head.
Buildup shampoo or conditioner, excess oil, more sebum, and different type of hair products can stick to the core of your hairbrush if not cleaned well. Combing your hair every day with this kind of hairbrush can make your hair greasy in no time.
Touching Hair Too Much
It’s always advised to touch your hairless. And something as such is told because either you transfer germs from your hair or you transfer dirt and make your hair full of dirty roots.
Touching or twiddling the hair too much can cause you to transfer outer oil or sweat and make your hair very oily.
Hormonal Reaction
Facing hormonal changes while on period is a common scenario. When a woman menstruates, all kinds of hormones keep going up and down. Such an imbalance can sometimes cause your head to increase its sebum production.
Stress
Another common cause of having hair issues is taking too much stress. If you have oily skin you’ll notice, the more stress you take, the more oil you generate around your hair, face, and skin.
While stress is a common cause, it can make your hair to be less normal and make it oily. However, there are ways you can prevent that.
Learn more: What causes greasy hair after washing it?
How to Make Your Hair Less Greasy- All the Do’s and Don’ts
Well, after learning all the causes of why your entire head acts like that, the big question is how do we make our hairless greasy?!
Don’t worry! Most of the cases revolve around the daily grooming habits that generate your oily hair. There’re a lot of ways through which, you can prevent this excessive oil production and keep the scalp healthy.
Some of the effective ways of making yourself less greasy are-
1. Don’t Wash Your Hair Regularly
If you tend to have dry skin or dry itchy skin with an addition of oily hair, then you don’t have to wash your hair every day. This method may seem like it’s going to produce oil, but that’s not the case.
Overwashing can rip the natural oils off your scalp and generate extra oil. This scenario can give your hair curly textures if you have straight hair.
Reduce the frequency of the number of days you wash your hair. Washing it for 3-4 days a week is enough to let your hair be less greasy.
2. Choose the Right Shampoo
It might seem like shampoos are made of all types of hair. Yes, it is, but one type of shampoo doesn’t suit all types of hair. Using the wrong shampoo can disrupt the oil levels and even hoard extra oil.
Choose a shampoo that specifically suits your hair type. So, always remember to read the labels before purchasing them. Getting some clarifying shampoo can also help you emit grease as it contains all the natural ingredients that suit greatly for the roots of the hair.
3. Shampoo Properly
It’s not astronomical science that some people don’t shampoo properly. As childish as it may sound, it’s rather common. Not being careful enough while washing your hair can generate grease.
Take your shampoo and carefully put it on your hair section by section. Don’t scrub with your nails too much, your scalp starts to suffer damage the moment you do so. Doing so in fact can generate more oil.
Gently put the shampoo and do a quick wash with cold water. There’s no need for a second rinse. However, you can use dry shampoo after the blow-dry.
4. Use Products made for Oily Hair
If you generate too much oil on your scalp there’s a likely chance you have oily hair. Train your hair with suitable shampoo for oily hair that works as a multipurpose beauty product.
While purchasing hair products look for products that are specially made for Oily hair. If your normal shampoo isn’t working, you can opt for clarifying shampoo. This shampoo has a stronger ingredient board than normal shampoos. This product effectively absorbs oil.
On contrary, if you work out a lot and deal with sweat more often, mild baby shampoo can work great for you.
5. Avoid Silicon Filled Product
Whether it’s traditional shampoo or normal shampoo, we always see the reassurance of getting and silky texture from the brands. Different hair products or creams add silicone to get that shiny texture.
Silicone can give your hair that extra glossy texture. However, it piles a whole lot of grease in it too. Too much usage of silicone-filled products can weigh down the hair and store dirt in wet hair.
Some common types of silicone you’ll often find in these products are-
- Cyclomethicone
- Amodimethicone
- Dimethicone
Avoid the products that contain these silicones and get less greasy and healthy hair.
6. Use Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo works wonders when it comes to making your hair look less greasy. Bonding well with oils, dry shampoo prevents the production of excessive sebum.
After taking a shower, make your hair air dry or use blower dryers to dry out your wet hair. After you’re done, apply dry shampoo immediately over your scalp using your fingers.
You’ll notice the dry shampoo will cut all the grease off your hair. As a substitute to it, you can also use baby powder, talc, or cornstarch to temporarily get rid of the grease.
7. Deep cleanse with Aloe Vera
Believe it or not, aloe Vera is one of the best ingredients out there that can restore your hair naturally. This home remedy doesn’t just do wonders on hair, rather it also plays a big role in making your skin or face look smooth.
You can use raw aloe Vera or aloe gel on your hair like a pack or mix it with the shampoo you use in the shower. It’s advised to use it raw and keep it on for at least 30 mins for better results. You’ll notice your scalp will feel healthier with no grease at all.
8. Try Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Sometimes home remedies come in handier than most beauty products out there. Apple Cider vinegar is one of those solutions that work great to emit all the grease and oil from the roots.
All you have to do is take some organic apple cider vinegar and dilute it properly. Then apply it accordingly to your scalp section by section. Taking a small amount will do the work. Just keep in mind to dilute it.
It’s acidic enough to restore the PH balance of your hair. Besides that, it also removes any kind of product buildup and reduces frizz.
9. Clean Your Hairbrush
A hairbrush can make a big difference when it comes to reducing the grease on your hair. A dirty brush will immediately spoil the freshly washed hair that you just got after the shower. If not cleaned, your brush can contain all kinds of residue products, oil, dirt, and gunk.
So, to avoid getting your hair dirty, take a paddle brush and wash it up with gentle shampoo every once in a while. Not to mention, clean all the left-out hair from your hairbrush after brushing through. Doing so will help you clean the brushes more easily next time.
10. Go Natural
Using too many products disrupts the natural health of the hair. While it may feel like the more product you use the better, it’s not the case. Using too much hair product can make your hair sleek temporarily, but it can expose your hair to damage. No matter what, the health of the hair comes first when it comes to hair.
Too much oil production can expose you to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis aka dandruff. So If you want to avoid dandruff, it’s always better to avoid too much product like hair spray or gels.
Moreover, straighteners and blow dryers are another set of tools that can provide to your grease production. A blow dryer can get you dry hair in minutes, but it disrupts natural oil production. So, go natural and air dry your hair instead of blow-drying.
11. Rinse With Cold Water
Some of us have the habit of rinsing out hair with hot water. If you do this, then take advice and never do it again. Using hot water regularly can damage your hair and increase the oil production to break out.
Always wash your hair with cold water. Or at least, rinse your hair with cold water after you shampoo your hair. Using dry shampoo afterward will give you better results in getting a lot less greasy hair.
During winter, it might be hard to use cold water. Don’t worry you don’t have to shower with cold water, rather just wash your hair separately. That should do the trick.
12. Always Wash Hair after Wearing a Helmet or Hat
Wearing outer coverings can make the hair trap oils within. Hats, caps, helmets scarves, bandanas, and headbands can trap your oil and make your hair greasy.
You must wash your hair after you’re done wearing them. Take a moment to rinse your hair with water so the oil doesn’t get trapped and make your hair greasy. You can also use baby powder before using these coverings to minimize the oil buildup.
13. Use DIY Organic Products Once in a while
You should train your hair in a way that it will not build up grease. And for doing that, you necessarily don’t have to buy products. The fun part is, the ingredients that work great for fighting greasy hair are all available at your house. That’s right. Some of these ingredients are-
- Lemon Juice: to get instant grease-free, silky and smooth hair temporarily, lemon juice is no. in the list. Simply squeeze some lemons and apply the juice to your hair like an oil massage.
- Baking Soda: This ingredient works as an abrasive exfoliator that can absorb all the oil and dirt from your hair. All you have to do is simply brush off some baking soda all over your hair with a makeup brush. You can also make a paste by combing it with water and apply to your scalp. Keep it on for a few minutes then wash it off.
- Cocoa Powder: For people with darker hair, this is an amazing hack. You can use cocoa powder as a substitute to dry shampoos. However, this hack works only for people with dark hair.
14. Eat Healthily
Hormonal imbalance is a real thing. When you don’t give your body enough nutrients it needs, then there’s a high chance of hormonal imbalances. And then there’s menstruation– Another name for hormonal imbalance.
To avoid such imbalances and to minimize the hormonal up and down during the period, you must eat proper healthy food.
For healthy hair, try to take vitamins C, K, and B regularly. Tangerines, berries, oranges, salmon, avocados, spinach, eggs, etc work great for restoring healthy oil production and sebum levels. So, try to add this food to your daily diet to decrease hormonal changes.
To know more: 25 Ways to Fix Oily Hair
Is it Good to Let Your Hair get Greasy?
No one likes greasy hair, but could it be a good thing? The answer is simple. Natural oils and grease aren’t the same things. While you do need natural oil for the good health of your hair, grease is something you don’t need.
It’s quite troublesome too! Too much grease and oily stands can make us feel uncomfortable and quite possibly create dandruff. And even a slight amount of dandruff is fatal for the hair.
Not to mention, too much dandruff is fungal that keeps growing as long as it gets the oil. And too much fungal growth can expose you to chronic health conditions. Therefore you don’t want any grease to build upon your hair whatsoever.
However, you do need natural oil on your hair. You don’t want to remove them completely. Hence, why wash your hair a few times a week instead of washing regularly?
Final Words
While many of us like the trend of keeping our hair purposefully messy, it doesn’t mean you have to build grease to get that style. Extra oily hair can produce dandruff and make your scalp itchy. And who likes an itchy scalp anyway!?
Moreover, greasy hair can store all kinds of dirt from the environment and hoard residues of products as well. Such a scenario instantly feels bizarre the moment you wake up. After all, there’s a saying, ‘Good hair means a good day.
Thus, to avoid this mess, we have covered all the tips and tricks on how to make your hair less greasy. So that next time, you can confidently experiment with different hairstyles without that extra grease.