Having oily hair can be embarrassing, anxious and frustrating. Fortunately, there are methods to limit the production of sebum by the scalp. First, you can learn how to use shampoo correctly and recognize hair products that don't contribute to greasy hair. Also, you can avoid some habits that can unexpectedly increase sebum production.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Shampoo Correctly
Step 1. Don't wash your hair every day
Removing excess sebum from your scalp may seem like the most effective solution, but to be honest, oil production is directly proportional to how often you shampoo. The hair tries to restore the protection you washed off, giving rise to a vicious cycle that causes the glands to produce more and more fat.
Wash your hair no more than 2-3 times a week to prevent it from getting greasy too quickly
Step 2. Use the shower cap on non-shampoo days
Even simply wetting them without washing them deprives them of some of their natural protective oils, prompting the glands to produce more to compensate for the loss. Wrap them in your shower cap to avoid getting them wet when you wash each day.
Step 3. Use conditioner only on the tips
Oily hair does not need any other nourishment in the root area. If you feel the need to detangle, repair and moisturize the ends, apply the conditioner starting from the middle of the lengths and massage it carefully only where needed.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly after leaving the conditioner on or, if you prefer, use a leave-in conditioner.
- On days when you don't shampoo, you can keep unruly tufts at bay and fix the style by wetting and moisturizing only the hair you want to re-style with the conditioner.
Step 4. Use cold or lukewarm water when shampooing
The hot one opens the cuticles and draws a greater amount of natural oils from the hair. In addition, it causes the pores to produce more sebum and thick oils, including those of the scalp. These oils start spreading through your hair, from the roots to the ends, as soon as you get out of the shower.
To keep your hair from getting greasy, use water at the lowest temperature you can handle, especially when rinsing it out of shampoo and conditioner. Cold water causes the cuticles to close, sealing the moisture inside the hair
Step 5. Use a coin-sized amount of shampoo
Using too much with each wash causes product residues to accumulate on the scalp and hair, which consequently appear greasy and heavy. Be careful when pouring the shampoo into the crook of your hand and do not exceed the size of a large coin, 50 cents or 2 euros. The amount needed varies based on the length, thickness and how thick the hair is.
If you accidentally spilled too much shampoo in your hand, wipe off some of it before applying it to your hair
Method 2 of 3: Using the Right Products
Step 1. Try using dry shampoo between washes
It is a product that should not be confused with shampoo for dry hair. This is a powder that many people use between washes to reduce grease on their hair and gain volume. It is sold in powder or in a convenient spray format. Apply a small amount to the roots when the hair appears greasy and heavy, then rub it into the scalp to absorb the oils, mattify and give volume to the hair.
There are dry shampoos also suitable for those with dark hair that does not make the roots gray
Step 2. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week
Sometimes the hair is greasy due to the grease on the scalp. In these cases, clarifying shampoos are a highly effective remedy. Choose a day of the week to use it instead of your usual shampoo. For best possible results, also make sure the shampoo you normally use is formulated for your hair type.
If you like using products from a single line, you can look for a clarifying shampoo paired with a light conditioner from the same brand, which leaves no residue on the hair and helps eliminate existing ones. Alternatively, you can use the conditioner you usually use. The most important thing is to moisturize the hair after washing it with the purifying shampoo because it tends to dry it. If necessary, feed them with a mask as well
Step 3. Avoid products formulated for dry or damaged hair
Shampoos and conditioners designed to solve the problem of dehydrated or damaged hair can create a thin coating on the shaft that serves to retain moisture and protect it from further damage. This shield is beneficial for dry or brittle hair, but when excess sebum production it can make it appear even more greasy and heavy.
Step 4. Avoid products formulated to straighten or polish your hair
Similar to those designed to improve the condition of dry or damaged hair, all treatments that aim to straighten or polish the hair, including shampoos, conditioners, gels, serums or sprays, create a sealing coating around the shaft. Hair that tends to get greasy quickly needs less dense, shiny and oily substances.
If you want to use a serum or hairspray, choose a product that can add volume without weighing your hair down
Step 5. Use the oil-absorbing wipes in emergencies
The same ones you use to mattify the skin when it becomes shiny also work well for the hair. Their job is to absorb excess sebum, regardless of the source. Put one pack in your purse or wallet and simply pat the roots of your hair when you are away from home and feel the need.
Method 3 of 3: Change Habits to Regulate Sebum Production
Step 1. Eat a healthy diet that is low in carbohydrates and low in trans fats
Trans fats are those contained in most fried foods, margarine, cookies, crackers, chips and baked goods and contribute to both skin and hair becoming greasy while providing no nutrients to the body.. Try to avoid them altogether and reduce the amount of saturated fat you get from meat and dairy.
- Foods that are high in carbohydrates or sugars can cause the glands in the skin and scalp to produce even more sebum and oils. In a healthy diet, baked goods and pasta should be whole and accompanied by low-starch vegetables, legumes and fruit.
- Continue to eat healthy fat sources and foods that contain essential fatty acids, such as nuts, seeds, oily fish, and unrefined grains. These ingredients provide the body with the good fats it needs. When the intake is lacking, there are negative effects on the health of the skin and hair.
Step 2. Avoid always touching your hair
This way you will avoid transferring the oils on your fingers. Try to touch them as little as possible during the day. If you feel the need to fix your hairstyle, use a clean brush or comb instead of touching it with your fingers.
Step 3. Use styling tools only on special occasions
Like hot water, any heat source removes the natural protective oils from the hair. In an attempt to run for cover, the scalp will begin to produce even more of it. Let your hair air dry as often as possible to avoid stressing it with the heat of the blow dryer.
Step 4. Clean your combs and brushes regularly
When you use them to comb or brush your hair you transfer the sebum from the scalp to the lengths and ends, so it's important to keep them sanitized. Remove any hair that gets trapped in the brush every day and also wash all your tools as often as possible. Once a week lather them using a few drops of dish soap, scrub the bristles and teeth with your hands full of foam. Rinse the combs and brushes thoroughly and let them air dry naturally.
Since you transfer oil from the scalp to your hair when using the comb or brush, you should avoid combing or brushing it too often. Only intervene when knots are forming or in the morning when preparing for the day
Advice
- It masks the problem of oily hair by keeping it gathered or using accessories wisely. While waiting for the production of sebum to decrease thanks to less frequent washing, it may happen that you feel uncomfortable because they appear greasy and heavy. In those cases, use dry shampoo and create soft hairstyles, for example a disheveled chignon, using the best bands, rubber bands and clips to keep the hair away from the face.
- If even picked up they still appear greasy and lacking in volume, wear a hair instead of rushing to shampoo. You can wash them the next day.
- Ask your hairdresser or friends for advice on how to best manage oily hair. They will most likely have other useful tips to give you.
