Make Your Hair Less Oily
Greasy hair happens when the sebaceous glands on the scalp become overactive, producing oil in your hair. Science aside, greasy or oily hair is often a result of your hair type and grooming habits. While you can’t change the type of hair you have, there are a variety of ways to make your hair less oily in the short and long term.
Contents
Steps
Temporarily Reducing Oil
- Wash your hair with shampoo. Shampoo is designed to remove oils and dirt from your hair, effectively stripping away oil to clean your head. The quickest, most fool-proof way to instantly remove oily hair is simply a good shower.
- Shower with lukewarm or cool water, as hot water promotes oil creation.
- Avoid the conditioner. Conditioner is made to return oils to your hair, which causes problems for people with oily hair. Skip the conditioner after your shower, or only add it to the ends of your hair to protect against split ends.
- Use a vinegar bath to remove oil. This old-fashioned home remedy relies on vinegar’s properties as an astringent, which constricts or closes oil glands. Mix in 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 cup water and massage the mixture into your scalp, removing oils and dirt.
- Never use straight vinegar, as the acidity can damage your skin.
- Try a mixture of aloe vera and lemon to fight greasy hair. Mix in a teaspoon of fresh aloe vera (pulled off of a plant) and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in with your normal shampoo and then use it in the shower. Leave the shampoo on your hair for 3-5 minutes after applying so that it soaks in.
- Use dry shampoo for an instant fix. Dry shampoo bonds with the oil on your hair to prevent it from looking too greasy. Simply use your fingers to spread dry shampoo powder along your scalp and shake out any excess.
- In a pinch, some people swear by baby powder, talc, and cornstarch to quickly get rid of oily hair.
- Establish your own routine. Some experts believe the best way to deal with oily hair is to wash it every morning with an oil-controlling hair product. Others say that washing your hair every day will over-stimulate the sebaceous glands. Try both methods to figure out what works for you.
- Wash your hair properly.
- Shampoo with lukewarm or cool water.
- Apply shampoo to the scalp.
- If you like to use conditioner, use a clear colored type, and only apply it only to the ends of your hair.
- To help cut down oil production, finish with a cold water rinse.
- Brush less. Excessive brushing will stimulate the sebaceous glands and increase oil production.
Making your Hair Less Oily
- Pick the right shampoo. Don’t just look for a shampoo that says “for oily hair." Instead, look for the words “clarifying” and “oil reducing." Many companies make specific formulas that for people that have oily hair.
- Don’t use shampoo every day. Shampoo does remove oil from your hair. However, using shampoo every day strips your hair of natural oils, and if often produces extra oil to compensate. Try shampooing every other day and note the results after 1-2 weeks.
- Avoid mouse, gel, and other hair products. Most hair products trap oil near your scalp, causing build-up that results in oily, greasy hair. Stay away from these products whenever possible.
- Brush your hair regularly. Regular brushing spreads oil throughout your hair, which prevents shiny or greasy build-up. Aim to brush your hair once a day.
- Excessive brushing, however, can cause your hair to produce more oil, so limit yourself to 1-2 daily.
- Stay away from heat. Hot showers, blow-dryers and excessive sunlight all tell your body to produce more oil to protect your hair. Whenever possible, take cold showers and use the cool setting on your blow-dryers to prevent your hair from building up new oils.
- Avoid touching your hair. Your hands and face secrete oils as well, so constantly running your fingers through your hair deposits those oils on your head. Cutting this habit can keep your hair from becoming oily throughout the day.
Tips
- Avoid touching your hair. Oils from your hands can transfer and make it worse.
- You can also use dry shampoo for a quick fix in the mornings.
- Wash hair with shampoo twice before only using conditioner on the ends of hair.
- Zinc and Primrose supplements can be helpful in helping to correct sebum imbalances.
- You can use lemon juice on your scalp for greasy hair but it also lightens your hair if you use it often. Also don't overuse it because it can cause dandruff/dry scalp.
- Shower with cold water.
- Don't overuse products, even dry shampoo. It may be a temporary fix but it will just add up to more dirt and therefore more grease.
Related Articles
- Create a Turban With a Towel to Dry Wet Hair
- Get Vaseline out of Your Hair
- Have Great Hair
- Wear Your Hair Down and Not Get Hot from the Sun
Greasy hair happens when the sebaceous glands on the scalp become overactive. This means that the glands produce too much oil. There are a couple of reasons why this happens. The first one is hereditary. The second one hormonal. Regardless of reason, oily hair is annoying. Here is how you can fix it.
