Based on various sources, approximately 30–40% of people have a scalp that produces excess oil, resulting in oily hair.
It must be admitted that oily hair can be quite irritating, primarily because an oily scalp tends to itch, hair appears darker, clumped, flat, and may even emit an unpleasant odor.
So, what can we do to control oily hair?
Why does hair become oily? Common causes
The sebaceous glands in the scalp produce oils – known as sebum. When too much sebum is secreted, hair quickly becomes oily.
Eventually, sebum is absorbed into the hair in contact with the scalp, causing strands to stick together and form separate clumps.
Hair becomes oily due to several common causes:
- Using Heavy Styling Products: To add volume, opt for lightweight hair care products with lighter textures and formulas.
- Using the Wrong Shampoo or Rinsing Poorly: Some shampoos leave hair shiny and soft, while others weigh it down, making hair look greasy immediately after washing. It’s essential to find the right products.
- Applying Conditioner, Balms, and Masks to Roots: These hair care products should only be applied to the hair length, not the roots, which already receive the most nutrients and moisture naturally.
- Touching and Brushing Hair Too Often: While brushing stimulates blood circulation, excessive brushing activates the sebaceous glands. Initially, roots will look shinier, but they will quickly become greasy.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Sebaceous gland activity is controlled by hormones. When hormone levels fluctuate, glands produce more oil. Oily hair is more common during puberty, when taking hormonal contraceptives, or during periods of stress.
- Certain Skin Conditions: Skin conditions like seborrhea, eczema, and psoriasis can also trigger excessive oil production.
- Genetic Factors: Sometimes, oily hair is simply inherited.
Oily hair care: essential rules
There are several effective ways to reduce excess oil. First, it’s important to choose the right hair care products, use them correctly, and take proper care of your scalp.
Minimize interventions on oily scalp
If you have a habit of frequently brushing your hair, adjusting your hairstyle with your hands, or enjoying scalp massages, try to leave your oily scalp undisturbed as much as possible.
Choose the right shampoo
Invest in a high-quality shampoo specifically designed for oily hair. Rinse shampoo thoroughly, as any residue can irritate the scalp and act like a magnet, attracting even more oil and dirt.
Avoid washing hair too frequently: alternate with dry shampoo
Dry shampoos absorb excess oil without the need for showering. They are perfect after workouts or during humid weather.
However, do not use dry shampoo for several days in a row – alternate it with regular shampoo. While it was once advised to wash oily hair as infrequently as possible, newer studies [1] suggest that washing hair more often is better than washing too rarely.
Wash hair with cool water and dry with a cool dryer
Heat stimulates oil production, which is why hair tends to get greasier faster in summer than in colder seasons. Hot showers can feel pleasant, but when washing your hair, adjust the water to a cooler temperature.
Cool water conditions the hair, helps close hair cuticles, and maintains moisture. Additionally, always dry your hair with a cool air setting to avoid both an oily scalp and dry ends.
Eat healthily and drink plenty of water
Consuming too much fatty food rich in unsaturated fats can naturally make the scalp oilier. However, products containing unsaturated fats, such as vegetable oils and fish, are highly beneficial. You can also strengthen your hair from within by taking specially balanced supplements.
Many owners of lush curls have praised the “Hair” ritual. Its keratin content supplies essential amino acids for hair, while L-glycine – the primary component of collagen – and L-glutamine help better absorb active ingredients.
Additionally, the “Hair” ritual saturates the body with all the essential “beauty” vitamins: zinc, copper, biotin, and selenium, which help regrow hair. For example, zinc not only promotes hair growth but also reduces the amount of oil produced by the skin [2].
Oily scalp, dry hair: What to do in this uncommon case?
It’s quite common for oily hair to tend towards dryness – where the roots are greasy, but the hair itself is dry. Here are a few tips on what to do when your scalp and hair seem like two opposite poles:
- Purchase a moisturizing conditioner and hair mask. Apply the gentle conditioner and mask along the entire hair length, but never on the scalp.
- Avoid using oily masks on oily hair. If you occasionally apply them, do not leave them on overnight. Apply oils only to the hair lengths and leave them on for no longer than one hour. Excessive use of oils can make oily hair even greasier.
We hope that all these tips will help you find a solution to the problem of greasy hair. Always remember that proper hair care and consistent habits can yield great results over time.
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