How to prevent greasy hair

If you’re ever self-conscious about having greasy hair, you’re not alone

Many of us are prone to getting greasy locks, whether that’s because we have naturally oily hair, are eating too much oily food, or are simply not using the right hair care products.

Thankfully, there are some very simple ways to prevent greasy hair which can be incorporated into your everyday routine.

So, how do you stop greasy hair?

Everyone’s locks are different, however there are a few easy steps you can take to help prevent greasy hair. Here are just a few suggestions:

Only wash your hair when it needs washing

Most people’s natural first instinct when tackling greasy hair is to get in the shower and give it a rinse! However, many people might not know that washing your hair too much could actually be contributing to its greasiness.

That’s because your scalp starts producing sebum (a natural oil) after you’ve washed it. While this can help tackle dryness caused by shampoo, it can also lead to over-production of sebum which will eventually make your roots look consistently oily.

How often you actually need to wash your hair will depend on a few factors, from your hair type to your lifestyle. In general, it’s best to wash your hair every two to three days unless you are exercising or have particularly fine or thin hair.

Avoid putting conditioner on your roots

As its name suggests, conditioner is designed to condition your hair so it looks sleeker and shinier. It’s mainly beneficial to the tips of your hair as that’s where you’ll find split ends.

Nevertheless, many people tend to smother conditioner all over their hair. This might be moisturising, however, putting conditioner on your scalp and roots will also mean there’s an excess of oil as most conditioners are enhanced with oils.

Instead, you should avoid putting conditioner on your roots and only apply it to the ends of your hair where it is most needed.

Don’t slather on the shampoo

Yes, shampoo is what cleans your hair. Nevertheless, using too much of it can actually do more harm than good. As we mentioned above, you scalp naturally produces sebum to replace any oils lost when you wash your hair.

Using too much shampoo can dry hair out and cause your scalp to overcompensate by producing an excess of sebum. Some types of shampoo are also quite heavy and can cause build up (which later leads to greasiness) if you don’t rinse them out properly.

To keep your scalp clean, try a natural shampoo and only use a small amount of it to cleanse your roots.

Eat less oily foods

Foods containing a lot of oil can have a direct impact on the health of your mane and make it appear much greasier. It’s a good idea to keep oily foods to a minimum.

Instead, consume plenty of vegetables and fruit packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin E and B7 which are known to promote healthy hair.

Try a natural detox treatment

Just like we might detox our whole bodies with healthy, nutritious foods, it’s also important to detox your hair. You can do this with a home treatment like apple cider vinegar – a natural disinfectant – which will eliminate excess oil and leave your hair looking (and feeling) squeaky clean.

For the best results, dilute a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water and apply all over your head. Leave it in for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. If you don’t like the smell, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.

For even more expert advice on hair care, whether that’s tips on removing hair dye or a guide to growing your hair out quickly, check out The Health Hub.

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Last updated: 24 March 2020

Sources

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/how-to-stop-greasy-hair-hacks

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/why-is-my-hair-so-oily#causes https://www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-hair#use