Have you ever noticed that you wash your hair just in the morning and it gets oily again all of a sudden? Maybe in 24 to 48 hours? Do you face this problem often? Then you probably have oily hair.
Oily hair sucks! So how can you fix it? Relax! In this article, I am going to discuss some super easy ways to make your hair look fresh and vibrant again. But before talking about how to get rid of oily hair, let’s first explore what causes oily hair.
What Causes Oily Hair?
The primary cause of oily hair is the overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands. The skin and the hair’s sebaceous glands are little white cloud-looking glands attached to the hair follicle. These glands produce sebum (the natural oil of the skin), which is necessary to condition our hair and skin.
But when these glands become overactive, they secrete more oil and cause oily hair.
If you have an oilier scalp, you may also struggle with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Many people don’t realize that dandruff is actually related to seborrhea, which means excessive oil production,
The amount of oil you produce is largely a function of several conditions. Let’s see the reasons behind the overproduction of sebum.
- Hormonal Imbalance: You may notice your hair gets oilier than before during puberty, pregnancy, menstrual cycle or maybe when you’re under stress. That’s because hormones play a big role in your hair health. Like when androgen and progesterone hormones in your body are elevated, it can lead to increased sebum production. And when the estrogen levels in your body get up, sebum production declines.
- Genetics: You may have oily hair as an inherited trait. If you have a family history of oily hair, there’s a chance that you will experience this too.
- Age: Older people may notice a reduction in oiliness compared to their younger years. That’s because the activity of the sebaceous gland decreases as we age.
- Frequency of washing: How frequently do you wash your hair? Ask yourself. Sometimes less washing your hair can be the culprit and sometimes over-washing.
- Diet: What we eat usually has a high impact on our hair, skin and overall health. Diets high in fats, sugar and processed food can exacerbate oil production.
How to Get Rid of Oily Hair?
There’s no one-size-fits-all rule actually. First, you need to determine what’s causing your oily hair and then act accordingly. Sometimes certain medical conditions can be behind your oily hair. If so, it is best to consult with a dermatitis.
If your oily hair is not a result of any medical condition, then keep reading. This is for you. Let’s have a look at the 9 best ways to get rid of oily hair easily.
Related Article: How To Get Shiny Hair?
Shampoo Twice on Wash Days
The way you wash your hair is important. I experience oily hair occasionally. And the double shampoo method has been a game-changer for me to get rid of oily hair.
Shampooing once may not be sufficient to remove all the dirt and oil from the scalp. So first use a normal quarter-sized amount, and scrub your scalp really well with your fingertips. Avoid using your nails because that can damage your hair follicles. Massage really well with your fingertips for about a few seconds and then rinse it out. Then, again apply a nickel-sized amount of shampoo and do it all again.
The first wash primarily works to break down and lift the excess oil and product buildup. But it often doesn’t fully cleanse the hair shaft and scalp. That’s why a second wash is crucial. A second application allows the shampoo to penetrate deeper and effectively remove any remaining residue and ensure thorough cleansing.
Remember, Shampoo is for The Scalp and Conditioner Is for Hair Strands
Use products in the right way. Normally shampoo does the cleaning work and conditioner adds moisture and nourishes your hair.
If you are conditioning your scalp or your roots, you are adding an oily moisturizing product to your scalp, whereas your aim is to get rid of additional oil.
So apply shampoo on the scalp, wash it and let it come off through the hair strands. And Use conditioner only for the hair strands. Start a few inches away from the root and work towards the ends.
Related Article: How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair? 11 Effective Ways to Get Frizz-free Hair
Stop Touching Your Hair Frequently
I know I know it feels good to run your finger through your soft, silky hair strand or just in the hair roots. Some of us have the habit of touching hair, maybe sometimes unintentionally. But if you are someone who likes to play with your hair, I am sorry to say but you need to stop this.
Frequent touching of your hair can stimulate the sebaceous glands in your scalp.
Also, every time you touch your hair, you transfer oil, dirt and bacteria from your hands to your scalp. This additional grime mixes with the sebum already present and makes your hair more oily and greasy.
Related Article: Common Hair Care Mistakes You Should Avoid
Choose the Right Products
You may have heard this often. But this is important. What you use has a direct impact on your hair and scalp.
If you have naturally oily hair and you are using a moisturizing shampoo, feel free to throw this out. It’s not gonna help you to get rid of your oily hair. You need a clarifying shampoo. Use clarifying shampoo once a week.
Okay, now you need a shampoo specially formulated for oily hair. Check the ingredient list on the bottle. If it shows silicone, sulphates or heavy oil like coconut oil on the list, avoid it. Use salicylic acid, tea tree oil, charcoal or citrus extracts-based shampoo to remove the excess oil from your scalp without stripping off the natural oil.
Use Dry Shampoo
Who wants to wash their hair every day? Good news alert! You don’t need to be that person who washes hair every single day to get rid of oily hair.
Use a dry shampoo on your no-wash days. You will get a better result if you combine blow drying with dry shampoo. Apply a dry shampoo and then blow dry your roots. The dry shampoo will absorb the oil and the heat will evaporate the sweat. It will also help to add volume to your hair.
But be careful not to overuse it, as it can lead to buildup. You can extend your no-wash days for 1-2 days using dry shampoo.
Avoid Using Too Many Products
I always believe that simple is better. Keep your hair care routine simple. Using too many products can backfire and worsen your oily hair problems. The more products you use, the higher the chances of leaving residue or causing product buildup on your scalp.
Also, overuse of some products can strip your scalp of its natural oil and lead it to produce even more oil.
Wash Your Pillowcase Every Week
Have you ever considered that your pillowcase might be the culprit? When you sleep, natural oils, hair products and even sweat can transfer from your hair to the fabric. Dirty pillowcases hold onto these oils, and when you sleep on them, your hair is basically lying in grease. So how can you expect to have oil-free hair when you are sleeping on a dirty pillowcase every night?
One bonus tip, you should also swap your cotton pillowcase for a silk or satin one.
Wrapping Up
So, are you now convinced that you can actually manage your oily hair beautifully and get rid of the excess oil? Just follow the tips that suit you best and let your not-so-flat, not-so-oily hair shine amazingly.
