Do you go to sleep combing your hair perfectly thinking you won’t have to spend extra time bathing your hair before heading to work the next day and then wake up with greased and oily hair? Well, we are happy to inform you that you are not alone. The humid climatic conditions of India only add to the misery, be it the summers or the winters.
Sure, glossy and messy hair is in vogue these days, but an overly greased and itchy scalp is a big NO. Furthermore, the oily scalp can lead to seborrheic dermatitis and itching. It can also manifest the growth of fungus on the scalp, leading to dandruff.
However, the natural oil that is there is the scalp is necessary, so do not even try to get rid of it wholly. The natural oils protect the hair and are vital for the nourishment of a healthy scalp and lustrous hair.
How to Fix Greasy Hair?
Here are a few ways to prevent greasy hair without damaging your hair or, irritating your scalp:
1. Wash your hair frequently
Some people have heavily oiled scalp and the Indian climate worsens it. Such people might have to shampoo their hair up to once a day to keep it oil-free. Shampoo gets rid of oily hair by removing all the excess oil as well as debris and leftover hair products from the scalp.
2. Wash your hair less often
This might sound confusing, but if you are washing your hair once a day and still your scalp is oily, it might be because you are washing it too often. In this case, to prevent greasy hair, you might try lowering the rate at which you apply shampoo to your hair. Excessive washing can strip the scalp of its natural oils which forces the scalp to produce more oil to balance its dryness.
3. Wash your hair properly
Sometimes you can wash your hair incorrectly and end up damaging your hair and an overly greasy scalp. Washing seems to be an easy job to do, but very often people mess it up. In order to wash your hair properly, gently massage a small amount of shampoo into your roots and scalp. Do not instigate your scalp with your nails or avoid creating unnecessary friction on the strands.
Aggressive scrubbing may lead to irritation of the scalp and can cause the production of more oils. Focus on the scalp more, rather than on the length of your hair. Let the shampoo flow through your hair while you rinse instead of running the shampoo all along the length. You may also skip the repeat cleanse technique if you are wondering how to stop hair from getting greasy.
4. Carefully condition your hair
Condition only the length of your hair, instead of massaging it on your scalp and the roots of your hair. The oils in the conditioner add excess oils in addition to the adequate natural oils released from the scalp. Thus, if you are looking for ways to make your hair less greasy, start with reducing the amount of conditioner you use on your scalp.
5. Use hair products formulated specifically for oily hair
Scientists and researchers put in a lot of effort to formulate specific hair products for specific hair types. Make optimum use of that effort and find yourself a shampoo that suits your hair the best. You can increase the detergent content in your shampoo if it fails to lift the oil in your hair. However, if you shampoo your hair regularly, opting for a milder shampoo would be healthier for your scalp.
6. Clean your brush regularly
Every time you wash your hair, use a clean brush to comb your hair. The existing hair styling products, oils and gunk might stick to your freshly washed hair and make it dirty and greasy again.
You should also wash your styling tools with shampoo and water to remove all the dirt from them before you use it on your hair. Similarly, remove all the loose hair after each combing to keep the brush free from oil and dirt.
7. Use aloe Vera for deep cleansing
Although not a perfect choice for the summers, aloe makes a great hair and scalp mask. It helps in removing excess oil, fights artificial product build-up, soothes the scalp and protects the strands, leaving behind soft and healthy hair. Honestly, is there anything aloe Vera cannot fix?
8. Avoid silicone hair styling products
Steer clear from shampoos, conditioners, creams and other styling products which contain silicone. Although silicone helps in smoothening hair and renders a shine, it is actually very unhealthy for the hair and the scalp. In addition to the gloss, silicone also adds a lot of greases. Not to forget the accumulation of Cyclomethicone, Amodimethicone, and dimethicone, which makes the hair look dirty and oily.
Greasy HairSilicones also prevent the essential moisture from getting into the hair shaft. Avoid using any product that has ingredients ending with ‘-cone’.
9. Be gentle with your hair and rinse properly
While combing your hair, be gentle and do not exert undue pressure on your scalp. The irritation of scalp leads to more release of natural oils thereby making the hair oilier.
Another important and basic way to prevent greasy hair is by simply rinsing it properly and making sure no hair product is left behind in the scalps. The presence of hair products (like shampoo and conditioner) not only makes the hair greasy but also makes way for excessive hair fall.
10. Do not play with your hair
Excessive brushing or combing and touching the hair frequently stimulates the oil glands and instigates more production and accumulation of natural oils. Avoid twirling, running your fingers through your hair or head-scratching for it can draw scalp oils down to the strands, making your hair look greasy.
11. Use dry shampoo
Dry shampoos are a great substitute for wet wash, not only because it saves time and easy to use, but also because it helps in drying out the oils present in your hair, thereby giving your hair a fresh and clean look. However, dry shampoos must be washed off as soon as possible to avoid the accumulation of grease on the scalp.
12. Deep conditioning with coconut oil
Massaging coconut oil nourishes the roots and the scalp and rehydrates the hair. It also helps in lifting off excess oil from the scalp.
13. Apple cider vinegar
Diluted apple cider vinegar acts as a great natural conditioner. It successfully removes product buildup, balances the pH of the scalp and makes the hair frizz-free.
Also read: 7 Easy Fixes For Turning Greasy Hair
