Many people find their hair looking stringy or limp at the end of the day even when they think they practice good grooming. It is probably caused by having oily hair, or what some people consider as having greasy hair. Oil is a natural body secretion, which comes from the oil glands that are associated with hair roots. It keeps the hair shiny and smooth and the scalp healthy. However, some people may produce more oil in their scalp than others do, giving them oily hair. Here are some factors that cause oily hair and what you can do to remedy this hair condition.
Oily Hair Causes
There are several factors that may contribute to oily hair and scalp:
- Heredity - You are more likely to have oily hair if one or both of your parents had this type of hair.
- Hormonal fluctuations - Women who are using contraceptives (birth control pills) or are menstruating may experience oiliness in their hair. Teenage boys and girls also experience hormonal changes, which cause pimples and oily hair to develop.
- Body mass - People who use androgenic hormones to increase their muscle mass may develop oily hair.
- Fine hair - People who have fine hair are more likely to have oily scalp because there are more oil glands associated with a greater number of hairs.
20 Amazing Oily Hair Remedies
You can reduce oiliness in the hair and scalp by following these remedies:
- Wash hair frequently - Wash your hair two to three times a week. Avoid washing your hair every day because this can strip away too much oil, which can result in increased oil production.
- Use proper shampoos - Find a shampoo that is meant for oily hair. You may have to try different brands, but a hairdresser might be able to recommend a good one. For oily hair, shampoo products with higher pH (alkaline) may be recommended. Use a clarifying shampoo, which helps reduce oil build-up, but use it only once a month.
- Rinse thoroughly - After shampooing, rinse your hair very well. You may also use strained lemon juice or white vinegar (two tablespoons) diluted in one cup of water to rinse your hair, followed by warm water.
- Beware of conditioners - Avoid using these products too often. Apply them at the ends of the hair instead of the roots.
- Avoid over-brushing your hair - Too much brushing can spread oil from the scalp to the hair strands.
- Ban touching your hair - Your fingers may be greasy and touching your hair can increase its oiliness.
- Cut off split ends - Your hair will look a lot better and less damaged if you keep the ends groomed.
- Try a quick fix for oily hair - When you have no time to shampoo, try using baby powder or dry shampoo products to reduce oiliness in the scalp. Be sure not to use too much and to brush the powder off completely.
- Keep hair off the forehead - The forehead may have oily skin, and hair may absorb the grease. Oily hair touching the forehead may also cause you to touch your hair and face more often and can lead to skin irritation and acne formation. Blow dry your hair away from the face or use a hair clip to hold it.
- Don't straighten hair often - Regular hair straightening can damage hair strands. Heated devices can also encourage oil production from the glands.
- Try curly hair - Curls make your hair incompletely close to your scalp so the hair shows the oiliness more slowly than straight hair. If you have natural curls, enjoy them!
- Balance your hormones - Find remedies for hormonal imbalances, such as evening primrose oil, which is usually recommended for females since it relieves premenstrual syndrome and breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle.
- Watch your diet and supplement - A healthy balanced diet can improve one's skin and scalp condition. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and zinc is beneficial not only for the body but also for the hair. Supplemental cod liver oil also helps nourish the hair and scalp, as well as the skin.
- Apply natural remedies - Products found in the kitchen can provide quick remedies to oil hair. These include:
- Cider vinegar - You can use apple cider vinegar to soak or spray your hair. Wash off with warm water.
- Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages have a drying effect. Dilute a small amount of alcohol (stronger is better) with two cups of water and use this to rinse the hair. Do not forget to wash it off.
- Beer - This popular beverage cleans, dries, and leaves the hair shiny.
- Tea - The tannic acid in tea acts as an astringent to take away oil in the hair. Use diluted tea to rinse the hair.
- Lemon juice - Control greasy build-up by rinsing the hair with one lemon's juice diluted in a cup of water. Then follow with a warm water rinse.
- Baking soda - Dissolve one tablespoon of this popular home ingredient in one cup of water and use as a shampoo. Do not worry if there is no soapy lather. Soak for a couple of minutes. Its alkaline pH will reduce oiliness in the hair. Rinse off with water.