The hair can be considered as oily if it has a greasy appearance from 2nd to 3rd day after shampooing. The secretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands of the scalp causes the oiliness. The oiliness of the hair makes it appear as stringy and dirty even though you wash your hair regularly. Hair can often look weighed down when it gets oily. Even without applying oil if your hair turns greasy soon enough, it is clear that you need to address this problem as washing your hair too many times can also have ill-effects. Here I am with some important and effective tips to manage oily or greasy hair:
REMOVE BUILDUP MONTHLY
Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove any extra buildup of oil and hair-care products. Many clarifying shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulphates that strip oil from both the scalp and the hair shaft. As an alternative, some people prefer to add baking soda to their shampoo every two-to-four weeks.
INSTANT FIXES
If you do not have the time for a wet shampoo bath as you are running out of time, you can try a dry shampoo process. It is nothing but applying some talc on your scalp. You need to dust it off immediately. The talc that you apply on our scalp will prevent the oil that your body prepares to react on your hair. Hence, your hair will not look oily. You can also use corn starch instead of talcum powder on your hair. Make sure that you wash off your hair once you return back.
CONDITION WITH CAUTION
Conditioners and detangling products can make your hair look greasy. When applying conditioning products start at the ends where hair is the driest. Some women use no conditioner at all or only once a week.
BALANCE YOUR BRUSHING
Not brushing enough keeps natural oils from being distributed, and they just build up on the scalp. Over-brushing, on the other hand, can stimulate oil production. So just make sure to find a healthy balance for your hair.
CHOOSE PRODUCTS WISELY
Make sure you don’t use too many mousses and gels that can cause buildup. Also try to avoid products that make hair “shiny” as these can make oily-prone hair just look greasier. If you can, just cut out styling products altogether.
HAIR RINSE
Add two tablespoons of white vinegar or the juice of one lemon should be mixed with one cup of water. After shampooing, rinse your hair with this mixture, let it sit for few mins before you rinse your hair with tepid water. The lemon juice is also an effective way of getting rid of shampoo build-up on your hair.
DO NOT OVERUSE SHAMPOO
Don’t be tricked into thinking that shampoo is your best friend. It’s only going to help you look stylish if you use the right amount. Instead of pouring as much of it into your palm as you can, only use a quarter-sized amount. That’s all you need.
SHRINK PORES NATURALLY
For extremely oily hair, try astringents and natural acids that help slow the production of sebum. Some natural remedies recommended by hair-care experts to battle oil include rinsing hair with beer, lemon juice or vinegar to de-slick hair. Mouthwash and witch hazel are astringents that both tighten skin and shrink pores. All you need to do is dip a cotton swab into the mixture and dab onto your scalp. Astringents should be applied after you’ve finished shampooing and rinsing.
TRY DRY SHAMPOO
Dry shampoo can be a lifesaver for busy women with oily hair. Dry shampoo comes in spray or powder form. These products not only soak up oil like a sponge but leave your hair smelling fresh and clean without water. Test several products and choose one that won’t leave a residue or weigh hair down. You don’t want to look like you’re wearing a powdered wig! A quality dry shampoo will wash out easily when you’re ready for wet shampoo. DIY dry shampoo recipes >>