Do you end up with oily hair at the end of the day? The sebaceous glands produce greasy matter to keep hair and scalp healthy. However, if it seems to you that you need to shampoo a few hours after the previous wash, perhaps the sebum production is not well balanced. Find out how to stop having greasy hair by adopting new washing habits, using targeted products and keeping a few tricks up your sleeve to pull off at the right time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash Your Hair and Apply the Right Products
Step 1. Get organized with the washes
Shampooing undoubtedly removes grease, the problem is that it can excessively eliminate the protective sebum of the hair, leaving it dry and prone to damage. If they break easily or split ends quickly, you may be washing them too often. Get washing habits that help keep them healthy and soft, so you can fight the grease without ruining them.
- If you have very thin hair, you live in a humid area or every day you play a sport that leads you to sweat a lot, you can wash it daily. In other cases, it is recommended to shampoo every 2-4 days. If you have afro or keratin-treated hair, it may need to be washed less frequently.
- The sebum will always be produced in the same way, regardless of how often you wash your hair.
Step 2. Choose the shampoo
Look for one designed for oily or greasy hair. The most effective products usually contain sulfates, which some have a bad reputation for as they can be harmful to skin and hair. Give it a try, but switch to a sulfate-free product if the shampoo irritates your scalp or changes your hair for the worse, making it dry and brittle.
- If you can't find an effective and safe shampoo, you can try replacing it entirely with one of the home remedies outlined below.
- Avoid products that promise to shine your hair, as they contain oily ingredients.
Step 3. Try using dry shampoo, a perfumed powder product
It must be allowed to act on the hair so that it absorbs the fat, without however eliminating excessively the sebum, which still performs a protective function. Place the bottle at least 15 cm away from the hair, then spray lightly on the roots and the central part of the lengths, where the oily areas are concentrated. Leave it on for 2 minutes, then massage it into your hair with clean hands. Apply it to all greasy spots 1-3 times between washes.
- Overdoing it with dry shampoo can cause white buildup of product to form. Apply it lightly and only on oily areas (usually the layers of hair closest to the scalp).
- In addition to the spray, dry shampoo is available in powder form. Choose this if you are sensitive to fragrances or aerosols.
- Baking soda, baby powder, and other powdered products are also effective at absorbing fat.
Step 4. Apply the conditioner carefully
This product has the function of making the hair soft and silky, only there is always the risk of it becoming greasy. Use it immediately after shampooing, when your hair is particularly dry. Measure a small walnut. Only massage it on the tips, because the roots are already sufficiently hydrated thanks to the sebum.
- To further reduce the amount of product used, lightly mist a leave-in conditioner.
- Surprisingly cowash (i.e. washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo) removes some sebum, but it doesn't have the same washing power as a shampoo. In any case, cowash is especially useful for dry hair; for those with oily problems, shampoo is always preferable.
Step 5. Use less styling products
The reason is easy to understand: associating sebum with gels and mousses (which have a similar consistency) will not help you at all in the fight against oiliness. Choose light products, such as texturizing sprays. If you're using a mousse for a special occasion, be sure to wash it off at the end of the day.
Step 6. If necessary, use a clarifying shampoo
It is a particularly effective product for eliminating accumulations of product. Since it is aggressive and can damage the hair, only use it every 2-4 washes.
Never use clarifying shampoo on colored hair - as well as being more vulnerable to damage, it will likely fade
Step 7. Treat dandruff
Many people with this disorder often think it is due to dry skin. Instead, it can be caused by an overproduction of sebum by the scalp. If you have dandruff, treat it with a special shampoo following the instructions on the package.
There are several types of dandruff shampoos. If after a few uses the situation does not improve, switch to a product containing a different active ingredient, or contact your doctor to prescribe an ad hoc treatment
Method 2 of 3: Combat Oiliness with Home Remedies
Step 1. Wash your hair with oat water
Pour about 15 grams of oat flakes into 120 milliliters of water. Let it boil for about 2 minutes, wait for the liquid to cool and strain it. The remaining liquid contains a natural cleanser, which for some hair types can remove excess oil just like a shampoo. Try it instead of shampooing for a few washes to see if it can save you money and avoid harsh chemicals.
Step 2. Apply a clay mask
This ingredient can be found in herbal medicine. Mix it with water until you get a thick mixture, which you can use to coat slightly damp hair by working one small strand at a time. Cover them with cling film or a plastic bag, then rinse after 5-30 minutes.
Try bentonite or rhassoul
Step 3. Try apple cider vinegar and baking soda
Many use diluted apple cider vinegar to get rid of product buildup, especially if your hair is too brittle to be exposed to a clarifying shampoo. However, remember that it is not an effective method for everyone. You can go further and join the no poo ("no shampoo") movement. It is in fact possible to replace the usual washing with the following formula:
- Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of baking soda and water. Fill another with equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water.
- Shake the bottle containing the baking soda and spray a small amount into your hair. Rinse.
- Shake the bottle containing apple cider vinegar and sprinkle a small amount on your hair. Rinse.
- Repeat about once a week or as soon as fat builds up. If your hair still feels greasy, let the vinegar sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Step 4. Apply a citrus-based juice
Lemon juice is another popular natural product for oily hair. Try diluting the juice of 1 or 2 lemons with 250 milliliters of water. Massage it into your scalp and lengths, then rinse it off after 5 minutes.
To quickly apply the solution, pour it into a spray bottle
Method 3 of 3: Check Oiliness in Other Ways
Step 1. Don't touch your hair
If you just curl them or push the strands away from your face with your fingers, you will distribute the sebum and make them gain weight. Secure them with a bobby pin or pick them up so they don't fall on your eyes. Read this article to find out how to keep your hands off your face.
Step 2. Choose a hairstyle
Try doing a bun, braids and other hairstyles that will keep your hair looking tidy. Keeping them gathered instead of letting them loose will make them look less fat.
Step 3. Establish a good wash cycle
If you have a big event on the horizon, you'll need to shampoo that day to make sure your hair looks as clean as possible. Plan accordingly, so you don't wash them in the days immediately preceding the event. At that point they should remain clean and tidy throughout the day.
Step 4. Consider if you need to cut them
Long, oily hair requires a lot of attention. On the other hand, most of the fat tends to accumulate near the roots, so a cut may not improve the situation. Choose the right length according to your preferences and experiences.
