Ways To Fix Greasy Hair
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Hormonal imbalance in unclean hair brushes is the main cause of greasy hair. As your scalp gets greasy, the foremost action to take is a hair wash, but washing the hair frequently can increase the risk of damage. Below are a few ways to fix greasy hair that you can use.
Introduction
Overactive oil glands present at the roots of the hair lead to greasy hair. It is an unpleasant condition leading to hair clumps, hair thinness, and a poor appearance. Dandruff is also found in people with greasy hair.
People facing this problem require frequent hair washing. Greasy hair is a problem seen throughout puberty and is caused by hormonal imbalance, but it settles down after a certain period.
When puberty hits, the body faces tremendous hormonal imbalance; as a result, the sebaceous glands become overactive and produce excessive sebum. Other reasons for oiliness could be stress, poor diet, inappropriate usage of cosmetics, polluted air, smoky rooms, humidity, cold, and fog.
Let’s find out the reasons behind greasy hair and ways to fix it with appropriate remedies.
What is the cause of greasy hair?
Excess oil, or sebum, produced by sebaceous glands can lead to greasy hair, a condition called seborrhea. Hormonal imbalance is also responsible for the condition. The type of hair a person has also has an effect on how greasy it appears. Straight hair is more prone to greasiness than curly or thick hair. Additionally, using oily or wax-based hair products without proper washing can cause oil buildup, skin cells, and sweat, resulting in greasy hair even after a hair wash.
Oil may also come from the items used by the person, like:
- Hair comb or hair brush
- Hair towels
- Hats
When the above items are used regularly, they pick up sebum from the scalp. Using the items without washing them makes the hair look greasy.
Environmental factors like air pollution affect the hair and scalp, leading to an oily scalp, itching, and dandruff.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes scaly, greasy patches on the scalp and skin. Scaly patches may cause itching or a burning sensation and may be difficult to get rid of.
Hot-water showers
Hot water showers irritate the scalp and may cause redness, itching, and excessive oil production. So one should avoid hot showers.
Touching the hair frequently
Touching the hair very often leads to the spread of oil from your fingers to your hair, which makes it look greasy.
Over washing
It is good to wash your hair if it becomes oily and greasy.
Washing the hair very often leads to dryness of the hair and scalp as the necessary oils are washed off. When the scalp is dry, the sebaceous glands produce more oil than normal, leading to greasy hair
Pillow covers
Our face secretes oil on the pillow cover while sleeping, and as you sleep, the hairs absorb the oils and look greasy in the morning. So it is necessary to change and wash your pillow cover at regular intervals.
Diet
It is said that your hair health reflects on the diet you take. Excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids makes the hair look greasy. A balanced and healthy diet is necessary for good health and healthy hair.
Genetic history
If you have a genetic history of an oily scalp, you are more likely to have oily hair than if your parents had the same history.
Hormonal imbalance
Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and an increase in stress levels lead to an increase in sebum production, which has a direct effect on the hair. These hormonal changes could also be a sign of a medical condition.
Humid climate
A humid climate makes your hair go oily easily, resulting in clogged pores. A humid climate stimulates the sebaceous and sweat glands. Exposure to the sun leads to hair damage.
Excessive junk food
Insufficient intake of nutritious food leads to a hormonal imbalance, resulting in oily hair. Excess intake of fried and processed foods stimulates the production of sebum, leading to greasy hair.
How do I fix greasy hair?
Minute changes in hair habits help preserve the natural oils without the grease.
1.Use of silicon-free shampoo
Shampoo one or two times a week for oily hair. If you exercise daily, wash your hair more often, as sweat on the scalp makes your hair look greasy. Use a silicon-free shampoo if you wash your hair very often.
2. Use a light conditioner
Use conditioner in small amounts, mainly on the mid-lengths and the tip of the hair. Don’t use conditioner on the roots or scalp area.
3. Clean the hairbrush
Cleaning the hair brush helps to prevent grease from spreading throughout the hair.
Brush your hair gently. While combing hair, avoid touching the comb to the scalp. This would prevent the spread of oil from the scalp to the hair.
4. Use of dry shampoo
For people who don’t want to wash their hair every day and whose hair looks greasy, dry sshampoo may help reduce the greasy look.
Dry shampoo absorbs excess oil from the hair. The use of cornstarch or baby powder has the same effect as dry shampoo. It can be used as a home substitute to get rid of greasy hair.
5. Avoid overstyling
The use of a hair straightener or blow dryer makes the hair look greasy more quickly than if it is just left to dry naturally. Avoiding hair straighteners or blow-drying also protects the hair from heat damage. Also avoid using hair serums, mousses, creams, and thermal protectants very frequently.
6. Have a healthy diet
Consume food made with no oil or with very minimal oil. Include green vegetables, fruits, proteins, and almonds in your daily intake. Avoid the consumption of oily and fried foods like fries, chips, etc.
7. Water hardness
Hard water leads to hair breakage and hair loss. Avoid using hard water for hair washing.
8. Stress management
Managing stress helps to reduce oil secretion, thus preventing the hairs from looking greasy
9. Wash the hair with tea tree oil
Shampoo with 5 percent tea tree oil helps to improve dandruff, soften the itchy scalp, and reduce greasy hair formation.
10. Use of green tea
The use of green tea makes the hair look healthy and grease-free, as it reduces oil production and nourishes the skin when applied.
Shampoo with green tea extract helps reduce the oiliness of the hair.
11. Application of witch hazel
The application of witch hazel makes the pores too close, which produces oil and is thus helpful in the prevention of greasy hair.
Itching and inflammation are also relieved by the application of witch hazel, which helps to maintain the natural pH of the scalp. People with sensitive scalps show good results with the application of witch hazel.
12. Applying coconut oil
Coconut oil helps lift oil from the scalp and nourishes and conditions the dry ends of the scalp.
13. Avoiding certain products
People should avoid styling products for hair that lead to a greasy look.
Key takeaways
- Managing greasy hair is difficult at times. Oily hair makes people look less good in appearance. It also makes the scalp uncomfortable and itchy. The use of simple and natural remedies helps combat oily hair.
- Many reasons, like hormonal imbalance, junk food intake, environmental factors, and overactive sebaceous glands, make the hair look oily. Washing the hair regularly, proper diet intake, and change in styling technique may solve your greasy hair issue.
- If the problem remains, you need to consult the doctor to have a medical condition diagnosed and resolved with proper medications.
- Genetics plays an important role in the quality of hair.
- Excess sebaceous gland activity leads to oily scalp and skin.
- Washing the hair at regular intervals, or three times per week, helps to control sebum and dandruff.
Frequently Asked Questions
A deficiency of vitamin B6 causes the hair to go oily
Wash your hair once every two or three days
People with oily hair should wash their hair with shampoo once every two days.
Yes. Touching the hair transfers the oil from the fingertips to the hair strands, which makes the hair look greasy.
Dirt and dandruff are attracted by the excess amount of oil, which clogs the pores and prevents new hair growth
Sebum production gets reduced with age. Hair loss may be due to aging, which makes the hair look greasier as fewer hairs absorb the natural oils produced by sebaceous glands.
A clarifying shampoo is ideal for oily hair. It helps wash away excessive grease.
1) Use of hair conditioner
2) wash two to three times a week
3) choose the hair products wisely
4) don’t touch your hair
5) use of dry shampoo
6) use of scalp scrub
7) Avoid straightening or using any hair serums or gels.