Greasy hair is one of the top beauty annoyances for me. My hair and scalp tend to be greasy even if I go one day without washing it. So, I usually tend to wash my hair every day, which I know isn't the greatest for my scalp. But what am I supposed to do? Live with oily hair?! And let me tell you, with my hair, you can really tell when it's not looking so fresh. Think it might be a combination of my dark hair and how it reflects the light.
Recently, though, I found out that you can actually train your hair to be less greasy. Yes, it's true, and I had to learn more about it. So I went to trichologists and a hairstylist to get the details on exactly how I could do this.
What Causes Greasy Hair and Scalp?
First, it's important to know what the root (pun intended) causes are. And it turns out that there are a lot of factors here. Sebaceous glands—also known as oil glands—within the hair follicles produce natural oils and waxes," explains Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co. "The natural oil produced by the glands, called sebum, is how your body naturally protects, moistens, and softens the hair. As the oil builds up, it moves from the scalp down to the ends of the hair. Heavy hair products build up and mix with the natural oils produced. If you work out often, the natural oils mix with the sweat, too!"
There are also a couple of lifestyle factors that might cause a greasy scalp. "An excess of saturated fats in your diet comes out through the hair follicle as the fats speed up oil production," says trichologist Helen Reavey, founder and creative director of Act+Acre. Soft water can also be the cause since it's harder to rinse out your hair products and you might leave them in without releasing. Hormones or certain medications can also cause more oil production. Really hot water also makes the scalp more oily. And Reavey adds that harsh products can strip the scalp and make it think it needs to protect itself, so it creates more oil as a barrier.
There are also certain hair types that are more prone to a greasy scalp. "It often happens to kids and teenagers as they go through puberty. Those with fine and straight hair are most susceptible to oily hair and scalp," says Gretchen Friese, a certified trichologist with BosleyMD.
How to Train Your Scalp and Hair to Be Less Greasy
So, how can you treat a greasy scalp and hair and train your hair to avoid any of it? It's possible and the steps to take are doable. "You can train your scalp to be less greasy in the course of three to four days, however, it will take some time for your body to fully adjust," Potempa says. "Take some time to do research about the type of hair you have and establish a new routine that gives your body enough time to adjust to the change."
Here's what to do below…
1. Evaluate Your Current Routine
"Before diving into a different haircare routine, evaluate your current routine," says Potempa. "Are you drinking enough water? Do you wash your hair every day? If so, your body will automatically produce more natural oils. Are you working out a lot? Again, sweat and dirt buildup and mix with the sebum."
2. Wash Your Hair Less Often
Friese recommends curbing your hair-washing frequency. "When you wash your scalp, you remove sebum (the skin's natural oil), and that can actually stimulate the scalp to produce more sebum in response," she says.
3. Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Sodium lauryl sulfate in shampoos can be a harsh cleanser that strips the natural oils. Potempa recommends using a sulfate-free shampoo directly on the roots and scalp, followed by a conditioner only on the ends of hair, which will reduce the production of the natural oils.
4. Cleanse and Clarify the Scalp
Friese says once a week you can use a raw, organic apple cider vinegar to restore the pH balance of your hair and rid the scalp of buildup.
And Potempa adds that you can try one initial wash with a clarifying shampoo of scalp treatment to remove prior product buildup. "Similarly, try a one-time crystal clarifying treatment to reduce buildup," she says. "The time it takes to adjust is different for everyone. Ideally, a transition period may take two to three weeks."
5. Avoid Using Hot Water
Like we learned above, super-hot water can make the scalp even oilier. "Hot water opens the hair follicle and rinses away oils when using shampoo," Potempa says. So, no more scalding hot showers!
6. Exfoliate the Scalp
This will also help with buildup. Friese says BosleyMD's Rejuvenating Scalp Scrub has dissolving sugar crystals for exfoliation and activated bamboo charcoal, which is a great ingredient for absorbing excess oils on the scalp.
7. Apply Conditioner at the Tips
Friese says that instead of applying conditioner from roots to ends, use it only on the tips of your hair. "I tell my clients to apply from the ears down. This avoids excess moisture on the scalp," she adds.
The same can be said for heavier finishing products, like oils and leave-in conditioners. "The first six inches of hair are fresh and young and there's a lot of strength. Finishing products are not necessary for newer hair," Potempa says. "The hair below has been around longer. Apply finishing products to the midshaft and ends of your hair."
8. Air-Dry Your Hair
Give your hair dryer a break. "Blow drying too much can also cause your hair to produce excess grease, so try letting your hair air-dry as much as possible instead," Friese says.
9. Avoid Certain Products
Some products might make your oily hair even oilier. "Use oil-free products when you can," Friese says. "But if you do need to use a product with oil in it because your hair needs the moisture, avoid putting it on the scalp. Keep them in your hair only. Also, consider going silicone-free, since silicones can potentially trap other ingredients on the skin, including oil."
Potempa also recommends against applying heavy volumizers, like mousse, directly to the scalp, which can cause your hair to become greasy faster. "Instead, use a brush—like the Power Paddle Pro Brush—to distribute product evenly."
10. Drink More Water
"Drinking sufficient water and increasing vitamin and biotin intake is key to keeping the scalp healthy," Potempa says.
More Products to Treat a Greasy Scalp and Hair
Friese recommends this sulfate-free shampoo, which is good for an oily scalp. It protects against thinning hair and removes buildup.
Reavey says this detox treatment will help balance the oils on the scalp. Use it weekly to remove buildup and deliver nutrients to the hair follicle. It contains baobab oil, amaranth oil, moringa oil, and basil leaf.
This pre-shampoo treatment exfoliates the scalp and stimulates blood flow. It's infused with salicylic acid and peppermint oil.
"Try a dry shampoo in-between washes to refresh your hair. Beachwaver's Second Chance Dry Shampoo is a rice-based formula that absorbs any excess oils that are produced," Potempa says.
"The Cleanser is also the perfect way to ensure your scalp is naturally balanced with each wash," Reavey says.
"Instead of using a foam or gel volumizer, try a dry texture spray. Gel or foam volumizers have a lot of oil in them that contribute to greasy hair!" Potempa says. Of course, you can't go wrong with the editor-favorite Oribe spray.
This purifying shampoo has a plant-based formula and is so gentle on the hair and scalp. The main ingredient is organic nettle, which reduces excess oil and regulates oil production.
The salicylic acid in this scalp scrub reduces buildup while kaolin absorbs excess oil. It can cleanse and rebalance the scalp, especially if you have a sensitive or oily one.
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