If you have naturally oily hair, then you are familiar with the oily hair struggle. Many individuals who suffer from oily hair have fine locks, which allows the oil to move quickly down the shaft from the scalp.
Our scalp produces oil naturally via the secretion glands under our scalp tissue. This oil moisturizes hair and keeps it soft, shiny, and healthy. Unfortunately, for some, the scalp overproduces oil causing unwanted oily hair.
While you can’t change your chemistry or genetics, you can change your habits and the products you use to help eliminate oily hair. Below are a few tips to keep your oil under control.
Don’t wash everyday – while this may seem counterintuitive, (if your hair is oily, you should wash it more, right?) washing your hair everyday could be causing your hair to overproduce oil. When you wash your hair it strips it of its natural nutrients. Doing this often could cause your hair to overproduce oil as a way to counteract the over-washing.
Stop touching your hair – touching or playing with your hair causes an increase in oil production.
Try conditioning your hair first – this technique, known as ‘reverse washing,’ allows your hair to reap the benefits of moisturizing, without the weight of residue left behind. Simply condition hair first, then finish with shampoo and a good rinse.
Make dry shampoo your best friend – using dry shampoo in powder form in between washes soaks up the oil in your hair and leaves behind a fresh smell. It’s a great tool to help you stretch the time between washes.
Turn down the heat – washing your hair with hot water can cause the scalp to overproduce oil. It also opens your hair’s cuticle and causes hair damage. Instead, use luke-warm water throughout the wash, and finish with a cold rinse.
Go au natural – your hair needs a break too. Don’t use hot styling tools every day. This can cause oily hair and hair damage.
Mix it up – try different hair styles in between washes. Maybe wear it down the first day, in curls the second, and in an up-do on the third. Oily hair actually helps make up-do’s look better and last longer.