Oily hair can be undesirable at the best of times, but when it happens right after you wash your hair, it can be extremely inconvenient and frustrating.
All healthy heads produce certain levels of oil to protect the hair and keep the scalp hydrated, but sometimes our lifestyle, habits or hair type can cause the hair to produce more oil than necessary.
If you have problems with oily hair, don’t be ashamed! It is natural and can be easily treated.
Read on to find out what’s causing your oily hair, what lifestyle changes can eliminate it, and what quick fixes will help keep the oil at bay.
What causes oily hair?
Like the skin on your face, your scalp produces sebum or oil as part of your body’s natural defense system against external factors like humidity or pollution.
We really need these oils to keep our hair shiny. But there are a few things that could be contributing to the amount of sebum your scalp is producing.
intense exercise
Since our bodies, including our scalps, produce sweat when we exercise, your intense cardio or weight training could be contributing to your greasy hair problem. When sweat mixes with the natural oils in your hair, it creates an oily film on your scalp.
Hair type
People with straight hair may be frustrated to learn that their hair can be particularly prone to oil buildup. Hair with more waves, curls, or texture tends to avoid easy oil build-upas the oils cannot slide directly down the hair shaft.
overwash
When hair gets greasy, we tend to think of washing as the only solution. But you may be washing your hair too much.
The reality is that our scalp wants to produce some oil, and washing your hair to remove these oils will only signal your scalp to produce more sebum.
skin problems
For people who have skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or even forehead acne, these are all contributing factors to oily hair. When you have flaky skin, oil from your scalp gets trapped and makes your hair look greasy.
hormones
If you’re pregnant, starting a new birth control method, or experiencing hormonal changes, all of these can lead to an oily scalp. During menstruation, women can also experience increased sebum buildup, as studies have shown.
How to get rid of oily hair
Once you’ve identified what might be causing your hair to become oily so often, choosing a helpful treatment is easy. Here are some lifestyle changes that could treat your oily hair.
1. Re-evaluate your hair washing schedule.
Since oily hair can be caused by both over-washing and under-washing, you may need to increase or decrease how you wash your hair.
Shampooing your hair every 2-3 days will remove sebum, dirt, and sweat, without stimulating oil production too much. On days when you’re not washing your hair, avoid getting your hair wet, as rinsing your hair without shampooing can cause oil buildup.
You may also want to coordinate your hair washing schedule with your sweating sessions to treat a sweaty scalp. Consider saving your most intense workouts for a day when you intended to wash your hair anyway.
2. Try reverse washing.
When it comes to world mysteries, second only to the unanswered question of «Which came first: the chicken or the egg?» it is, «Should I use shampoo or conditioner first?»
While conventional wisdom suggests shampooing then conditioning, doing the opposite can be great for oily hair. And hey, we’re desperate to get rid of our greasy hair, so what’s the harm in trying?
Until now, science hasn’t given us any data to prove this works, but using conditioner as a base can help evenly distribute the shampoo, which can lead to a more thorough wash. It also means your hair gets the benefit of the conditioner without contributing to excess oil on your scalp.
To wash it in reverse, cover your hair with conditioner and let it sit for a minute or two. Then, without rinsing, add shampoo to your hair and lather. Rinse the two together. It should be noted that reverse washing should be done only once a week.
3. Use the proper amount of shampoo.
Part of knowing how to properly wash oily hair is using the right amount of shampoo.
This, of course, varies depending on the length, density, and texture of your hair, but two tablespoons is a good starting point. And really, you shouldn’t use less than this unless your hair is very fine or short.
Your shampoo should create a rich lather on damp hair that covers your entire scalp and length, which means lots of lather. Then be sure to rinse thoroughly, parting your hair if necessary to remove those oils.
4. Keep conditioner away from roots.
Unless you’re doing a reverse wash, you don’t need to apply conditioner to the roots.
Since your scalp produces its own oils, conditioner will only add excess moisture that will look greasy. Instead, use conditioner to add shine to your ends, or just skip this step altogether.
5. Brush your hair less often.
The bristles of hairbrushes can lift dead skin cells from the scalp and release oil from underneath. So it can help to avoid brushing your hair or just brushing the ends.
Instead, brush your scalp right before you wash your hair to loosen dead skin cells and allow for a deeper clean in the shower.
6. Wash your hair with lukewarm water.
Steamy showers or baths can be great for relaxing, but they can dry out your scalp and make your hair produce more oil.
Try to stick to medium heat when your scalp is under water. It can also help to use a cold water jet on the hair at the end of the shower to close the hair follicle and protect the shine of your hair.
7. Clean your styling tools.
You wouldn’t use the same towel or makeup brushes over and over again without washing them, so the same goes for your hair tools.
Brushes, straighteners, and curling irons can add more dirt and oil to your hair. Washing or cleaning them after use can stop oily hair in its tracks. The same goes for pillow covers, so make sure you change them between hair washes to prevent dirt.
home remedies for oily hair
Instead of, or in addition to, the tips above, you may want to try these home remedies for oily hair. These use natural products directly from the earth to your scalp.
aloe vera
Aloe vera gel removes excess sebum and is used in the treatment of many oil-related skin problems. Using aloe as a leave-in conditioner the night before you wash or using it in the shower after shampooing can treat oily scalps and hair.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a cure-all for skin, hair, and digestion. As a hair rinse, it can break down oil and temporarily change the pH of the scalp, slowing sebum production.
Add one part apple cider vinegar to two parts water in a spray bottle or empty shampoo bottle. Coat your scalp and hair with this post-shampoo rinse, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and rinse. Try this no more than once a week as it can dry out your hair.
Essential oils
Tea tree oil and peppermint oil are known to have many benefits for the scalp and hair. Adding a few diluted drops to hair after washing or mixing it into a mask, shampoo or conditioner can help treat sebum and dead skin cells.
How often should you wash oily hair?
Quite simply, it all depends on your hair type, as well as your skin type and the way you style your hair. The texture of your hair can especially determine how often you should wash it.
For example, if you have fine hair, it is recommended to wash it twice a week, sometimes more. For people with curly hair that doesn’t get too oily, shampooing once a week, sometimes more, is recommended.