If you suffer from oily hair, you know how frustrating it can be to keep it looking clean, fresh, and neat all day long. While a little bit of oil on your hair gives it a vibrant and healthy appearance, too much weighs it down and makes it look limp. Oily hair is more difficult to style and keep styled, and can often have the appearance of looking greasy or stringy before the day is over.
What Makes Hair Oily?
There are several factors that may make your hair oilier than necessary, especially your genetics. Right along with other features, you can inherit the excess of oil in your hair follicles directly from your mom, dad, or close relative. Physiologically speaking, hormones can also play a part, especially if you’re on medication to prevent pregnancy or manage menstrual symptoms.
The thickness of your hair is another important part of the puzzle, since it helps dictate the oil distribution of each strand. Every hair has two or three oil glands each, so if you have very fine hair, there is less surface area for that oil to coat. Thicker or coarser hair will have a more balanced distribution of oil, although those hair types can also suffer from insufficient oil resulting in dryness. The same goes for the shape of your hair, since straight hair makes oil easier to travel across. If you have straight, fine hair, you’re more at risk to suffer from naturally oily hair.
Oily Hair Prevention
Getting ahead of your hair’s oiliness is the best way to keep it looking clean, fresh, and styled all day long. If you craft a good regimen for treating your oily hair, you’ll have much more success in preventing it in the future. The trick is to dry up some of the oil without over-drying it completely and leaving it limp and lifeless. It’s important to find a good balance that keeps just enough oil in your hair for it to stay healthy.
Daily Glow recommends several soaks you can try to help cut back on excess oil, including weak tea, lemon juice and water, a shot of alcohol diluted in two cups of water, or a quarter cup of vinegar in two cups of water. After applying any of these treatments, be sure to rinse your hair well afterward with warm (not hot!) water to remove all traces of the solution.
Each day, keep up with your oil-preventing routine to get the best results. Choose a mild or clarifying shampoo designed for oily hair to cleanse daily. This shampoo should contain a higher level of detergent and fewer conditioners than other shampoos to compensate for the excess oil. Be sure to scrub the scalp directly to get to the root of your oil problem, then rinse well with warm water. Leaving soap buildup can increase your oil production, so don’t leave anything behind!
Conditioners can be used as a follow-up treatment, but only once or twice a week. Daily Glow advises you apply the conditioner to the ends of your hair, not your scalp, to discourage excess oil production while still treating your hair where it needs it.
Other Steps to Try
Oily hair can sometimes occur when your scalp is dry and compensates by making extra oil. If you are suffering from a dry scalp, try a tea tree oil shampoo to help nourish the scalp and treat your dryness without overloading your hair with oil.
Your oily hair might also need a little extra help staying free of product residue. When your hair is limp from product overload, it gets oilier and greasier faster. Try adding a detoxifying shampoo to your routine just once a week. Don’t use these products daily as they can easily over-dry your hair and scalp, setting off that cycle of oil production all over again.
Detoxifying or clarifying shampoos are a great product to use weekly if your hair is particularly oily or if your locks are greasy from hair product build up.
Staying Oil-Free All Day
With your hair properly cleansed, you’re ready to style. Avoid heavy, creamy products that can increase oil and weigh down your hair. Instead, look for specially designed products for oily hair and style just as you want it. Once it’s set, don’t touch it! Brushing, combing, and even running your hands through your hair can help the oil from your scalp spread throughout your hair strands. To restyle without this unwanted effect, brush some baby powder through your hair to absorb the oils first, says Daily Glow.
Be prepared for oily locks throughout the day and stay on alert. Carry a mini container of dry shampoo with you, just in case. This can quickly refresh your look in minutes, no matter where you are, says The Hair Styler. Also carries these products with you for those unexpected oily moments:
- Light hairspray in a travel size can for restyling on the go.
- A small brush you clean regularly (better than using your fingers!)
- Hair care products in your gym bag for after that sweaty workout!
Non-Direct Approaches to Oil Reduction
Living a healthy lifestyle is always an extra way to keep your skin, hair, and nails looking healthy. To attack oil production on all fronts, stick to a good diet and exercise plan. Drink enough water each day, eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and take steps to increase activity and reduce your stress levels. Even small lifestyle changes can reap big benefits on the beauty front, so be healthy all around to see results.
References:
Daily Glow. Caring for Oily Hair.
The Hair Styler. Hair Care Tips for Oily Hair.
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