Can’t go two days without washing your hair? Do you find yourself questioning, “why does my hair get greasy so fast?” Dealing with greasy hair is no fun. You can’t style it properly, it looks dirty and unkempt and just falls limp. Sure, you can wash it every day, but that just worsens the problem in the long run.
So, how do you deal with excessively greasy hair? Here’s everything you need to know about what causes your hair to turn greasy so fast and what you can do to fix it.
Why Does My Hair Get Greasy So Fast?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to making your hair greasy — from your hair type and skin type to the products you use and your health. Straight and fine hair, for example, does not need much moisture, tends to become greasy faster than thick, curly hair. This is because the sebum from the scalp covers fine hair strands faster, making hair look oily.
Unassuming factors like too much stress and even your period cycle can impact the health of your hair.
Possible Causes
Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why your hair gets oily faster.
#1. Over-washing Your Hair
If you have greasy hair, you would probably be tempted to wash it as often as humanly possible. It may seem like the most effective method to get rid of oil, but you’d be wrong. Washing your hair every single day can cause dehydration and will, in turn, lead your scalp to produce more sebum, thus exacerbating your greasy hair problem even more.
#2. Using Waxy Or Oily Hairy Products
If you are using too many hair products on your hair, you need to ensure that you are also cleaning your hair thoroughly. This is especially relevant for those following the curly hair method or using a lot of styling creams or gels. Not cleaning your hair properly can cause product build-up and even lead to other hair issues.
#3. Using Hair Conditioner Near or On the Roots
The rule of thumb to follow with conditioners is to only apply it on the bottom half of your hair. Conditioners are typically rich in moisturizing ingredients and may contain silicones. Applying your conditioner on your scalp can not only make your scalp greasy but may also cause dandruff and hair fall.
Unless it is a leave-in conditioner, make sure that you thoroughly rinse out the conditioner.
#4. Touching Your Hair Too Much
Your face and hands have oil-producing glands. Your hands and fingers also touch a lot of surfaces throughout the day, accumulating dust and germs. Running your fingers through your hair can transfer excess oils and dirt to your hair.
#5. Lifestyle
Your sleep pattern, the food you consume on a daily basis, and your stress levels can all significantly affect your skin and hair health. Not getting the necessary 7-8 hours of sleep and eating too unhealthy junk food can negatively affect your overall health and cause a greasy scalp.
#6. Hair Hygiene
When was the last time you washed your hairbrush? Do you change your linens regularly? Hairbrushes, pillowcases, and bedsheets accumulate dead skin, dust, dirt, loose hair strands, and a lot of germs. If you don’t clean them regularly and properly, it can significantly damage your hair and face.
How to Stop Your Hair From Getting Greasy So Quickly
Apart from following a healthy lifestyle, there are a few simple tricks you can follow to reduce the oiliness of your hair.
Home Remedies
#1. Aloe Vera
When mixed with lemon juice, this soothing plant can work as an astringent to help reduce the sebum production of your scalp. It can even help make your hair softer.
To use, mix 1-2 teaspoons of pure aloe vera gel with a tablespoon of lemon juice and a cup of water. Use this solution to rinse your hair after shampooing, and then thoroughly wash it off using cold water.
#2. Essential Oils
Applying oils on greasy hair may seem counter-intuitive, but there are certain oils that can help reduce excessive oil secretion. Tea tree oil is a great essential oil to use on your hair as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Rosemary oil is also effective in reducing sebum production and soothing inflammation. You can use a rosemary oil or tea tree oil rinse by combing 4-5 drops of the essential oil with water and pouring it over your hair after shampooing it.
#3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a lot of benefits, including balancing out your scalp’s pH and helping reduce excess oil production. It has astringent properties and can help get rid of product buildup.
After washing your hair, coat your hair with a mix of 3 tablespoons of apple vinegar and a cup of warm water. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with cold water.
Quick Fixes
#1. Dry Shampoo
If you want a temporary quick fix for greasy hair, dry shampoo is a tried-and-tested tool. With just a few sprays, you can refresh flat and dull hair and style it as you want. Just make sure you wash it out the next day.
#2. Cornstarch or baby powder
As natural alternatives to dry shampoo, cornstarch and baby powder can also help with removing excel oil from your hair and scalp while boosting your hair’s volume. It can also minimize itchiness, especially on hot days.
#3. Oil-Absorbing Sheets
Just how blotting papers work to remove the oil from your face, oil-absorbent rice paper sheets can also help soak up the oil from your scalp. They’re handy tools to keep with you when you’re traveling and need to quickly refresh your hair.
Lifestyle Tips for Greasy Hair
Take a look at these quick lifestyle hacks that you can incorporate in your hair care routine to deal with greasy hair:
#1. Use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week.
#2. Avoid washing your hair every day.
#3. Incorporate healthy fats in your diet, such as nuts and seeds.
#4. Reduce your dairy consumption.
#5. Use a scalp scrub or a massage brush once a week to deep-clean your hair.
