Everyone has oily hair. The hair and scalp naturally produce oil to keep hair healthy and nourished. The difference from one person to the next is the amount of oil excreted by the body, the ability to control it naturally, the type of hair and skin you have, and the kind of products you use. Using hair products that are not right for your hair and scalp condition could further irritate the scalp and completely strip your hair of nutrients. So here’s how to get rid of oily hair!
How to Look After Oily Hair?
Here are nine remedies for oily hair and certain scalp conditions that professional stylists recommend to incorporate into your beauty routine.
1. Determine the Right Products and Treatments
A consultation with a professional hair stylist about your hair type and your washing regimen is essential. Accurately list all your hair products and inquire about the effects of a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are not for regular use, and your hair stylist may recommend that this product be mixed with a moisturizing shampoo, depending on your hair type and scalp condition.
Be honest with the stylist when describing any issues with your scalp, such as the presence of red, scaly patches or dandruff. A consultation with a professional stylist at a hair salon with a broad selection of hair and scalp treatments is the best way to determine the products and treatment that are right for you.
After receiving the appropriate scalp treatments or detox method, use natural at-home remedies to maintain a healthy scalp.
Our top-three favorite store-bought products for oily hair include:
- Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion – This is a powder formula that will add more of a matte look to shiny, oily hair while also giving roots a non-greasy fullness.
- Bumble and Bumble Sumowax – This strong (but not sticky) wax is a great styling product for people who are looking for strong hold without the build-up of normal wax. Hair will feel and look natural and still have movement and bounce.
- Moroccanoil Oily Scalp Treatment – This product has ginger root extract in it which has been shown to reduce your scalp’s sebum production as well as lavender oil to help soothe the sensitive area.
2. Use Dry Shampoo—Sparingly
For those who do not want to wash their hair every day, using a dry shampoo in between washings can help control oil. Dry shampoos will absorb the excess oils at the roots and scalp. Experiment with brands of dry shampoo, as certain product types may leave your hair feeling dirty and gritty. Dry shampoos may further irritate the scalp and produce build-up faster. For some, there may be no substitute for water and shampoo.
In case dry shampoo is a must, here are our top-three recommended choices:
- Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk – The natural oat milk will help restore the natural balances of your scalp and hair.
- Tarte Hair Goals Dry Shampoo – This dry shampoo will give a thicker and fuller look while containing the natural safe ingredients that Tarte is known for.
- Living Proof Perfect Hair Day – Ideal for all hair types, this dry shampoo is silicone-free, safe, and formulated for color and chemically treated hair.
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3. Increase or Decrease the Number of Washes
Those with oily hair may need to shampoo more frequently. Sometimes oily hair is caused by product residue that is not thoroughly removed during washing, which causes build-up. This build-up accumulates on the scalp and can make hair greasy as it is brushed through the hair. Whether it is the hair product itself or too infrequent washings that causes the build-up, you will need to experiment and determine the timing between washings that is right for you.
A change to a gentler shampoo may be needed with increased washings. It is recommended you stay consistent with your new wash schedule for best results.
However, some people may need to experiment with washing less frequently. Those finding themselves with oily hair soon after washing and styling or suffering from an itchy and irritated scalp may be washing too often. Stripping the hair and scalp of natural oils will cause the body to produce and excrete more oil. Again, professional stylists recommend you remain consistent with your new regimen.
4. Massage the Scalp
One of the simplest scalp treatments is a change in washing technique. Gently massage a small amount of shampoo into the scalp and hair roots where the oil is produced. Massage gently and thoroughly so as not to cause further irritation. The ends of your hair will be sufficiently cleansed as the shampoo is rinsed through the hair.
There are natural home remedies for scalp massages before washing your hair, such as tea oil, coconut oil and a mix of baking soda and water.
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5. Use Less Conditioner
The opposite technique is used for conditioning the hair. Only the ends of the hair need conditioning, as oil is produced at the scalp. Over-conditioning at the scalp will cause build-up of the oils in the conditioner with the body’s naturally-produced oils. Any change to your washing regimen may lead to a change in the type of hair conditioner you need.
6. Apply Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can be the best product for at-home scalp detox. It will close the pores that excrete oil and relieve any inflammation and itching. The scalp’s natural pH balance will be restored after a few treatments.
7. Mashed Bananas with Olive or Coconut Oil
Bananas mixed with either olive or coconut oil makes for an excellent treatment for a dry, itchy scalp. Mashing a banana with a tablespoon or two of either natural oil and massaging into the scalp for five to 10 minutes will bring almost instant relief and is easy to rinse out.
8. Drink More Water
The best tip on how to get rid of oily hair may be as simple as drinking more water. One symptom of dehydration is the body increasing production and excretion of oil to keep it nourished and moisturized. As counter-intuitive as this may sound when you think about it, ingesting more water will make the body less prone to naturally hydrate — meaning the production of less natural oil.
9. Eat Healthy Fats
A diet of lowered fat and calorie intake is not a remedy for oily hair. Like the lack of water, the deficiency of healthy fats will increase the excretion of natural oils as the body naturally hydrates. The incorporation of more healthy fats into your diet, like omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, olive and coconut oils, avocados and eggs, will naturally nourish the body from the inside. A diet rich in healthy fats has been shown to counter the effects of oily hair and an irritated scalp more than using external products and treatments alone.
Final Thoughts
After consulting with your professional stylist, if these remedies and techniques do not result in relief for oily hair and improved scalp condition after two weeks, you may need to check with your doctor to make sure there is no underlying medical reason for these conditions.
Since hair is our most prominent feature, healthy hair is a poignant way to express our personality and sense of self. People have been treating and primping their hair for over a millennium to show rank in class and society. Today, all of us can have equal rank in class and society by nourishing our hair from the inside and out. I hope you found some ideas on how to get rid of oily hair.