You know what they say, “your hair is your crown,” but sometimes it’s hard to feel like a queen with greasy hair. Don’t worry though, because in this article I’m going to show you a few easy ways to make your hair less greasy and have healthy locks.
Greasy hair is a common problem that many people experience. You might find that your hair feels greasy after just a couple of hours. This is because the sebaceous glands in your scalp produce an excess of sebum, an oily substance that acts as a natural moisturizer for your hair.
The good news is that this condition is manageable. So before you start thinking of resigning yourself to a life of dull greasy hair, below are several things you can do at home to get rid of the excess oil in your hair.
How to Make Hair Less Greasy
1. Invest in a Clarifying Shampoo
If you have greasy hair, try using a shampoo that clarifies. Clarifying shampoos are gentle on the scalp and will help remove any excess oils from your hair. In addition, they can also make your hair less frizzy and leave it feeling smooth.
These shampoos are designed to eliminate excess oils from your scalp and hair follicles — not just on the surface of your scalp, but deep within the follicle itself. Plus, they do this without drying out your hair, which gives you beautiful-looking strands and a healthy shine.
2. Only Condition the Ends
Conditioning the roots of your hair can cause it to get oilier so it’s best to focus on the ends only. Start by shampooing your hair like you normally would. Then, apply conditioner to the ends of your hair (where it’s most likely greasy) and leave it on for two minutes before rinsing it out.
This will help lock in moisture and prevent your hair from getting too dry or frizzy. After you’ve conditioned the ends, use a comb or brush to gently remove any tangles or knots that may have formed during washing.
SEE: Here Are Some Of The Best Conditioners to Boost Your Hair Growth
3. Avoid Over Washing
If you have greasy hair, one thing you might consider doing is washing your hair less often. Over-washing your hair will strip your hair and scalp of its protective oils. This can lead to a buildup of sebum and the production of extra oil to compensate.
Instead of washing your hair frequently, try styling it up in a high bun and give your scalp some days to breathe. You can also try using dry shampoo in between washes to reduce greasiness on your hair and scalp.
4. Stay Away From Heat
We all know that excessive heat styling can dry out and damage hair, but it can also lead to oily-looking locks. Heat styling can burn your scalp and aggravate oil glands, which in turn produce excess sebum. This can make your hair much greasier than it normally would be.
Moreover, when you use heat-styling tools such as curling irons and blow dryers, the chemicals from your hair products get trapped in the strands and cause your oil glands to release more oil. This might lead to a buildup of oil on your scalp and in your hair follicles.
5. Balance Your Brushing
One of the more common reasons for oily hair is from brushing or combing too hard. Brushing your hair isn’t just a great way to get rid of tangles, it also helps distribute natural oils from the scalp down the length of your hair.
However, when you over brush your hair, you remove too much oil from your hair. This can trigger a release of excess oil on your scalp, which makes your hair look more greasy.
If you find yourself brushing your hair often, try investing in a softer brush. Another option is using a natural boar bristle brush instead of a plastic bristles.
SEE: How Fast Does Hair Grow: Find Out How With These Simple Tips
6. Use Products Specific for Oily Hair
Maintaining healthy hair starts with using the right products. When choosing a hair product, make sure you read the ingredients label to see what it contains. You will also want to avoid products with heavy fragrances or colorants, as these can add more grease to your already oily locks.
Instead, look for oily hair products that are designed specifically to remove excess dirt and product buildup that could cause your hair to get oily. These products also contain ingredients that can help your scalp produce less sebum (oil).
7. Go for Blotting Paper
Blotting paper is a simple and effective way to control the amount of oil in your hair. And I’m telling you, this can be a huge relief. A blotting paper absorbs excess oil and prevents your face from looking greasy or shiny. The same goes for your hair.
It’s super easy. Take a piece of paper and press it against your hair or scalp to absorb as much oil as possible. It’s important to note that blotting doesn’t remove all the excess oils from your hair. So you should only use this as a quick fix when you’re out in public.
8. Clean Your Hairbrush Regularly
This might sound strange, but it’s an old trick. If you don’t clean your hairbrush regularly, your hair will get more oily and greasy. This is because dirt from your hair will build upon the bristles of the brush and spread to your hair.
Oils from your scalp can also be transferred to the brush as you’re brushing, which makes it work less effectively for brushing out knots and styling. Cleaning a brush takes just a few minutes, and it can make a big difference in how greasy your hair is.
9. Avoid Touching Your Hair
It’s important to avoid touching your hair to make it less greasy. It’s not a big deal if you need to do it once in a while, but you don’t have to touch your hair every time you feel like it. This is especially important if you have long and thick hair.
Hair gets greasier faster and faster, and the more you touch it, the more oil is added to the problem. If you’re one of these people that can’t do without touching their hair, then try putting on rubber gloves before touching your hair. That way, you won’t have to worry about getting your hair dirty.
SEE: What Is a Hair Blowout? – Get the 411
10. You Are What You Eat
If you have greasy or excessively oily hair, it’s time to review your diet. You may be eating too many unhealthy fats or sugars that are causing your sebaceous glands (the glands in your skin that produce oil) to work overtime and produce more oil than usual.
To avoid this problem, you can try eating vegetables like cabbage, celery, spinach, and kale. Nuts like almonds, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, and walnuts. Fruits like cucumbers, oranges, berries, and cherries. And fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel, lake trout, and tuna.
These foods have been proven to have anti-inflammatory effects when eaten regularly in a diet for a few weeks or months. This can help reduce excess oil in the scalp by reducing inflammation in the gland where sebum is produced.
11. Use Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoos can be your new best friend when it comes to getting rid of oil in your hair without washing it. They are made from cornstarch or talc powder that absorbs the excess oils in your hair strands, making them look more voluminous and produce less frizziness.
As a result, you can style your hair, go out for the night, and then brush it out the next morning. You can also use dry shampoo as a styling tool: just sprinkle some at the roots and work it through with your fingers to create volume and texture.
12. Try Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has an unfavorable reputation for its smell, but it’s not so bad. It’s a staple in many people’s homes and it can help balance the amount of grease in your hair and make it shinier.
Here’s how to use apple cider vinegar to make your hair less greasy:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 4 tablespoons of water in a small bowl.
- After you shampoo your hair, squeeze out all the excess water and pour the mixture over your hair.
- Massage the liquid into your scalp with your fingertips for 5 minutes.
- Rinse out the liquid and dry it as normal.
13. Deep Condition with Black Tea
Black tea is a healthy way to combat greasy hair. The caffeine in black tea can help rinse away dirt and oil on the scalp, which is what causes a buildup of product on the hair.
However, keep in mind to search for a black tea that will work best for your hair type. Black teas can be super strong or super light, so experiment with different types until you find one that works best for you.
Here’s how to use black tea to make your hair less greasy:
- Prepare a quarter cup of black tea in a microwave-safe container.
- Add two cups of steaming water and let it simmer for five minutes.
- Apply the liquid to your hair from roots to ends with a spray bottle or an applicator brush.
- Massage the liquid into your scalp for 3-5 minutes.
- Leave it for about 20 minutes before rinsing off.
SEE: Home Remedies + Tips for Faster Hair Growth
FAQs
What causes greasy hair?
Greasy hair is often a result of excessive sebum (oil) production. Your scalp produces more oils when the weather is hot or when you’re consuming too much fat or sugar in your diet.
More so, other factors such as stress, hormone imbalance, and scalp problems like dandruff or eczema, may cause your scalp to produce even more oil than usual.
What is the best brush for greasy hair?
Boar bristle brush. This type of brush is made from the bristles of a boar. It is gentle, yet firm enough to remove excess oil and dirt from your scalp.
Brushes like this with natural bristles are better than synthetic ones because they don’t absorb oil and grease as synthetic ones do. They also last longer because they don’t get as dirty as synthetic brushes.
How do I get rid of greasy hair without washing it?
Use dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is a product that absorbs excess oils from your hair strands and scalp, making them look shinier.
It is great because it cleans your scalp without drying out or damaging your hair. It also works well on all hair types, which means you can use it irrespective of your hair texture or length.
Conclusion
Oils are produced by the sebaceous glands that are located near the roots of your hair. The more oil you produce, the more likely it is for your scalp to become oversaturated with oils and lead to a buildup of oil, product, and sweat in your hair strands.
Greasy hair is not only unattractive but also unhealthy. It can cause products or bacteria to build up in your hair that can spread to other surfaces. And while the problem isn’t always easy to solve, these few tips can help alleviate the issue.
You can try using a clarifying shampoo or adding apple cider vinegar rinse to your usual routine. You can also try taking more extreme measures, such as using blotting paper or cutting down on sugar intake. Whichever it is, these tips will help you achieve beautiful, shiny hair.
Thanks for reading.
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