There are a number of potential causes for excessively oily hair. Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can all create hormonal imbalances, which then, in turn, increase the production of sebum: the natural grease that generates on your scalp. Oily hair can also be due to hereditary factors, or even using too much hair product.
Here are some of our top tips to reduce the production and appearance of oil at your roots:
Don’t over-wash your hair. The more you wash your hair, the more it will get ‘used’ to the natural oils being stripped from it, so your body will create more oil in order to compensate. Wash every second or third day, and after a while, you will notice your hair starting to become less oily, naturally.
Utilize dry shampoo. It will immediately suck up any excess oil, so if your hair is quickly becoming greasy during the day, you can carry some with you and apply as needed. It will also add volume, and eliminate any unfortunate odours that sometimes accompany an oily scalp.
Make sure you rinse all the shampoo out of your hair thoroughly. Sometimes greasy hair is simply the presence of a build-up of products that haven’t been properly extracted.
Use the correct shampoo, as in one that has been designed specifically for oily hair.
Don’t apply conditioner to your roots. You’re just asking for it.
Rinse off with cool water. Hot water can stimulate glands that produce sebum; cold water will shut them down.
Touch your hair as little as possible with your mitts. You would be surprised how much oil is naturally produced in the palms of your hands, and how many substances build up on your hands over the course of the day. To prevent transferring these to your tresses, avoid touching your hair.