The Best Tips For Washing Oily Hair
If you have oily hair, you will need to take some recommendations into consideration so that you can wash oily hair properly. Due to excessive production of sebum in the scalp , you need to know how to choose the right products to avoid the greasy and dirty look. What else should one consider?
First, it is important to know why fat accumulates in the hair and what factors can make it worse. You can then make some simple reservations to make it look nicer.
Read on to learn more!
What are the causes of oily hair?
Under normal circumstances, healthy hair secretes a certain amount of sebum to ensure good hydration of the scalp and keep the hair strands healthy. This sebum is actually considered as a defense mechanism for the sensitive part of the roots.
And although the amount produced varies from person to person, inadequate hygiene, a lot of sweat and other lifestyle-related factors can lead to too much sebum. The result? The hair looks greasy and dirty and is difficult to set and treat.
But why do some people have greasy hair when others do not? What causes the production of sebum to increase?
There are several possible causes. Below we will explain the most common in detail.
Hormonal changes
These changes can cause overactive sebaceous glands in the scalp. As a result, they can make your hair look dirty. It is common in pregnant women, teenagers and women who take birth control pills.
Washing greasy hair too often
Although people with oily hair tend to wash it more frequently, it can be counterproductive to wash it too often. For what reason? Every time you rinse your hair with hair products, your scalp picks up a signal to produce more sebum.
Hair type
Altered production of sebum in the scalp can affect anyone. However, those with fine and smooth hair have a greater risk of accumulating sebum. Since the hair is not wavy, sebum slides more easily down the strands.
Improper use of hair products
It is essential to choose the right products for washing oily hair. Due to its characteristics, it is not possible to remove sebum simply by washing it with water. You also will not achieve a clean look with oil-based products. It is important to choose a shampoo with components that break down sebum.
You should also not use too much conditioner. In fact, you should only apply it from the center down to the tips. Make sure it contains as few fatty substances as possible.
Other possible causes
- Energetic exercise (due to too much sweat).
- Excessive use of hair treatments.
- To go outside with damp hair.
- To expose the hair to the sun or other heat.
How to wash oily hair properly
Have you ever wondered what steps you should take to wash oily hair? The process is actually quite simple. The key is to stimulate the pH balance of the scalp and regulate the production of sebum. To achieve this, you will need to know how to choose the right hair products and apply them properly. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Be careful with your choice of hair products when you want to wash oily hair
Most hair products are designed for normal or dry hair. Their ingredients help make the hair more shiny and moisturize. However, it does not suit oily hair. If you are trying to prevent this problem then it is best to find a suitable formula.
Nowadays, one can fortunately find many products that can regulate the production of sebum. They range from lightweight to micellar products. For example, ingredients consisting of green tea, citrus fruits and aloe vera are good options.
Use lukewarm or cold water to wash oily hair
The water temperature also matters. More precisely , avoid washing your hair in hot water. Although it removes dirt and grease at the moment, it can lead to an increased production of sebum later.
It is therefore best to use lukewarm or cold water. A good solution is to start by washing the hair in lukewarm water and finish by rinsing it with cold water to seal the hair follicles.
Use of products to wash oily hair
One of the most important aspects to consider is how to use hair products. First, one should consider the amount of shampoo one should use. It will depend on how long and thick your hair is. One should use one to two tablespoons.
After that, you also have to keep an eye on how to apply it. It is best to distribute the shampoo all over the scalp and massage the scalp with its fingertips to clean the remnants that accumulate there. As the last and after the first rinse, one can apply conditioner from the middle down to the tips.
4. Frequency of hair washing: This is how often you should wash oily hair
Contrary to many people’s beliefs, you do not need to wash greasy hair too often. As we have mentioned above, this tends to change its pH and can cause the opposite effect. It is therefore best to wash it every other day. To avoid the dirty feeling in the hair, one can use dry shampoo.
5. Other contributions to the hair routine
In addition to the above tips , other hair care can also help you achieve clean and healthy hair. For example, it is a good idea to use masks with ingredients suitable for oily hair. You can also try a scrub for the scalp as long as it is without oil.
How to make hair less greasy
Proper washing can reduce the greasy appearance of your hair. Still , you can follow some other tips to make your hair look even better and avoid an overactive sebum production. Try them today!
Use essential oils
It can be helpful to apply essential oils to the hair to control excessive production of sebum in the scalp. Its properties break down sebum and facilitate cleansing of the hair follicles.
Here are the most recommended options:
- Essential tea tree oil.
- Essential peppermint oil.
- Essential chamomile oil.
Dilute a few drops of these oils in water or the shampoo you normally use. Another option is rosemary oil, which is also associated with healthy hair growth.
Use apple cider vinegar to treat oily hair
To date, there is no evidence of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar for the hair. However, anecdotal data suggest that using it in moderate amounts can make hair less greasy and prevent problems such as dandruff.
- All you have to do is dilute a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in two liters of water.
- Then rinse your hair with this mixture.
- Finally, wash your hair with shampoo and apply conditioner.
- You can use this remedy two to three times a week.
Apply a mask with aloe vera
As with other home remedies , no scientific evidence backs up the effectiveness of aloe vera in fighting oily hair. Still, people have used it in natural cosmetics to help with too much sebum, dandruff and damaged and split ends.
How to use it:
- First, fresh gel is extracted from an aloe vera stem.
- Then massage it into the scalp with gentle massage in circular motions.
- Let it sit for 20 minutes and then rinse.
- You can use it two to three times a week.
Use dry shampoo instead of washing oily hair
It is a good idea to apply dry shampoo to the roots after exercise or after a hot day so that it can absorb sebum. You can find many different types in beauty stores or at pharmacies. However, do not use it too much.
Use cornstarch or baby powder
Corn starch or baby powder can reduce the greasy appearance caused by sweat and heat. They are very similar to dry shampoo, but have natural formulas. Just apply a small amount of the selected product on the scalp and massage it in.
Avoid brushing your hair between each wash
It can also affect people with oily hair if they brush their hair too often. Brushing brings sebum and sweat from the scalp down to the hair strands. It is best not to brush your hair too much until you get the greasy look under control. The same applies to the use of straighteners and curling irons.
You can prevent greasy hair
Excessive production of sebum depends on many different factors. However, with proper washing and using some home remedies, one can improve the appearance of one’s hair.
Of course, one must remember that it is important to incorporate the tips we have shared here into one’s daily hair care routine.
