Greasy hair is a common beauty battle for many. You wash, prep and style, only to find your roots looking oily and flat after a few hours.
While excess oil production is not something you can fully control, there are numerous ways to keep your hair looking fresher for longer.
By learning how to manage greasy hair, understanding its causes, and making a few adjustments to your daily routine, you could keep unwanted oil at bay and enjoy fuller-looking, bouncier locks.
What Causes Greasy Hair?
From sebum production to environmental factors, many elements may contribute to oily hair. By understanding these causes, you can take steps to manage greasy hair more effectively.
Hair Type
Your hair type plays a significant role in how much oil your scalp produces. Oil glands that produce more sebum may lead to greasy hair, whereas less production could result in a drier or flakier scalp.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors, such as pollution and weather conditions may disrupt the scalp’s natural balance and prompt an overproduction of sebum.Seasonal changes could also play a role, particularly in humid environments where sweat may travel down the strands and contribute to a greasy appearance.
Overuse of Hair Products
Misusing hair products could weigh down strands and emphasise the look of excess shine, making it important to choose products that suit your specific hair type. Heavy conditioners or oils designed for dry hair types may leave fine or oily strands feeling limp and flat.
Brushing and Touching Hair
Touching your hair frequently may transfer dirt and oils from your fingertips to your scalp and strands, causing it to become greasy more quickly. Excessive brushing may overstimulate oil production, leading to greasy-looking hair.
Tips On How to Make Hair Less Greasy
Here are our top tips on how to manage greasy hair and encourage a just-washed look.
Wash Hair Less Frequently
Overwashing may strip the scalp of its natural oils, causing it to produce sebum in an attempt to restore balance. Depending on your hair type, washing every 2–3 days for oily hair or 3–4 days for normal/dry hair could help prevent excess oil buildup.
Apply Conditioner Correctly
Applying conditioner only to the ends of your hair, rather than the roots, may minimise oil from reaching the scalp, keeping roots light and voluptuous.
Occasionally Use a Clarifying Shampoo
A clarifying shampoo is a deep-cleansing formula designed to remove product buildup, excess oils, and impurities that regular shampoos may leave behind.
Using a clarifying shampoo once a week or less in place of your usual shampoo could help refresh your scalp and restore your hair's natural balance, leaving your locks feeling lighter and cleaner.
Use Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is designed to absorb excess oil between washes. Apply it to your roots, let it sit for a few minutes, then brush it out to refresh your hair and avoid over-washing.
Use a Silk Pillowcase
Unlike cotton, which is known to absorb hair's natural oils, a silk pillowcase may help promote moisture balance and minimise excess oil production, keeping your hair feeling less greasy for longer.
Stick to a Simple Haircare Routine
Overusing styling products like oils, mousses and gels could lead to buildup on your scalp and hair, causing a greasy appearance. Keeping your haircare routine simple can help to maintain a better balance, allowing your scalp to breathe and reducing the look of excess oil production.
Scalp Care
Regular scalp care, including exfoliation and targeted treatments, may help eliminate dead skin cells, excess oil and product buildup, promoting a balanced scalp and preventing greasiness.
For exfoliation, opt for a gentle scalp scrub to help buff away impurities or an exfoliating brush to help massage and cleanse. Incorporating these methods once or twice a week could help to keep your scalp refreshed and clean without over-stripping its natural oils.
Conclusion
By understanding the root causes of greasy hair and following our top tips, you can adjust your haircare routine to help keep excess oil at bay and enjoy fresher, more voluminous-looking locks for longer.
