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As a woman with hair that gets oily easily , I’ve seen some struggles. You take the time to give your hair a good wash in the morning only for it to become greasy once you’re done with work and want to go out and meet friends. I can’t remember how many dates I had to turn down because of this. Not to mention how much time I’ve wasted maintaining it. There just wasn’t a day that I could go without washing it.
Hair that has the predisposition to get greasy quickly is a source of frustration for many women, But just because oily hair is usually hereditary, don’t think that there’s nothing you can do. In reality, there are a number of ways you can help your hair stay fresh and clean for longer. So, if you’re wondering how to get rid of oily hair for good, here are some tips.
How Often to Wash Thin Oily Hair?
It may sound counterintuitive, but the more you wash your hair the greasier it becomes. When you shampoo your hair, you strip your scalp from its natural oils. And to compensate for this, your scalp glands go into overdrive and start to produce even more oil. To end this vicious cycle, you need to start washing your hair less often. I know that this may seem impossible, but trust me it works. So, if you wash your hair every day, try every other day. On days between washings, you can try wearing a hat or tying your hair in a bun and using a bandana if you feel like your hair is too oily. But this is only temporary. You only need to go a certain period with less frequent washings, like a month, for your scalp to get used to and start producing less sebum. Over time, your hair may even go three days without washing.
What Shampoo Should I Use for Oily Hair?
When you have oily hair, you can be tempted to use harsh cleaning products thinking they work better. However, the opposite is true. Oily hair should be washed with mild, natural formulas that soothe the scalp and don’t irritate it. Because when the scalp is irritated, it starts producing more sebum as a way to protect itself. And this is the last thing you want, right? Unfortunately, most types of synthetic shampoo marketed for oily hair are only formulated to produce instant results and are too aggressive for everyday use. As a result, instead of helping to fix your problem, they make it even worse.
Instead, what you need to look for is an oily hair shampoo that uses natural ingredients. Natural shampoos containing citrus or spearmint can refresh and purify the hair. In addition, ingredients such as jojoba oil, moringa extract or wheat protein help balance excess sebum without drying the scalp. In addition, you also need to make sure you pick a natural oily hair shampoo that is free from sulphates. Sulphates are harsh detergents that are included in conventional shampoos to cause foaming, which is something that dries out the scalp. With that being said, a sulphate-free oily hair shampoo with natural, cleansing ingredients can help you restore your hair and scalp without drying it out.
Once you start using the right shampoo, you’ll also notice that your hair won’t get greasy as quickly allowing you to go a couple of days without washing it. So, even though natural oily hair shampoo may be a bit more expensive than conventional formulas, it will last longer because you won’t need to wash your hair that much often.
Are There Any Alternatives When There’s No Time to Wash?
Due to our busy schedules, there may be some days when you don’t have time to wash your hair. And you won’t be always into the idea of tying it in a bun or putting on a hat. So, what solutions do you have then? Well, for one there’s dry shampoo. Dry shampoo soaks up the oil accumulated on your hair and gives the illusion of freshly washed hair.
If you’re enjoy spraying yourself with a cloud of dry shampoo, you can try an old-fashioned trick which can be equally effective – baby powder. Sprinkle some baby powder on your roots and rub it in. Leave it a few minutes to settle and then pat your hair with a towel or use a hairdryer to blow off the residue. If you have dark hair, the powder can leave a visible white cast. To prevent this, try mixing some cocoa into the baby powder.
How to Style Hair so It Doesn’t Get Oily
Have you noticed that your hair gets greasy faster when it’s ironed? Well, there’s a logical explanation for that. The more your hair is close to your head, the more it comes in contact with the sebum. So, instead of letting your hair fall flat, try curling it. Curled hair gives more volume at the roots and thus prevents the hair from becoming oily too quickly. In addition, you can try other hairstyles as well, like for instance a messy bun.
In addition, refrain from brushing your hair very often as this only distributes the sebum from the roots all throughout the hair strands. You also want to avoid excessively touching your hair with your hands as it also contributes to oil build up.
