Why is my hair getting greasy so fast?
Regal Jealousy Guide
Greasy hair is something that we all have to deal with; it’s completely natural and, in fact, vital to keeping your hair healthy. What many people don’t consider is that oily hair doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dirty; instead, your scalp is doing its best to keep your hair nourished. However, it can frustrate you, embarrass you, and even cause irritation and itchiness, so we’ve compiled all the information you need about oily hair and how to hide or alleviate it!
Why is my hair greasy?
How to get rid of oily hair fast
How to make your hair less greasy
Our greasiest hair update
Putting your hair in a bun
Why is my hair greasy?
There are sebaceous glands in your scalp, which are the answer to your burning question, “Why is my hair so greasy?” and are responsible for producing sebum, also known as oil. These glands are located next to the hair roots in the dermis of the scalp and then carry the sebum to the hair follicles, which eventually leads to excessive oil production in the scalp. This usually moisturizes your hair and prevents it from drying out; however, many different reasons can influence why your hair becomes greasy so quickly and severely.
Fingers in your hair
Some factors you may not have noticed that can make your hair greasy are
Over-washing: Each time you wash your hair, you remove this layer of oil, and then over the next few days, your scalp starts to produce the sebum needed to prevent your hair from becoming dry. This is why you may find that the more frequently you wash your hair, the faster it becomes greasy, as your scalp becomes familiar with how quickly it needs to start producing oil.
Overuse of hair care products: Since sebum is an oil, this means that water will not break it down. Simply rinsing your hair or skipping the shampooing step (because the ingredients in shampoo break down the oil more easily) and using only conditioner will cause the oil to build up. If your hair looks greasy again after only a few hours or so of drying, you can tell if you’re over-washing your hair.
Your diet: If your diet consists primarily of carbohydrates and saturated fats, it can increase oil production; focusing on healthier alternatives may help with this, such as zinc, vitamins B and E, monosaturated fats and essential fatty acids.
Products
How to get rid of greasy hair fast
It always helps to have some quick fixes on hand so that if you’re stuck between washes or desperately need your hair to look less greasy, you can quickly fix your problem at home. Here are our important tips on how to get rid of greasy hair fast:
Some handy quick fixes you can use are
Dry shampoo: This spray-on shampoo mattifies, dries and volumizes roots, leaving you looking and feeling less greasy when you don’t have the time or energy to wash your hair; however, keep in mind that using it too often between washes can cause itching and irritation. For more tips on how to use dry shampoo, check out Good Housekeeping You can also find a helpful YouTube video on how to use dry shampoo below!
Baby powder: If you don’t have dry shampoo on hand, baby powder or cornstarch works just as well and is just a natural ingredient. They can blow dry hair quickly, so don’t overdo it; a little goes a long way!
Blotting paper: Many people use it to remove oil from their faces; it works for hair too. It’s easy to apply, too! Separate your hair in different places, then move the paper along your scalp and roots.
Blotting paper
Alcohol toner: Although more commonly used in skin care products, toners with some alcohol content also help set hair quickly; use a spritzer to apply to your roots and voila!
Round brush mini blow dryer: Blow drying your hair reduces greasiness and makes it look more voluminous; use a round brush on key areas such as the forehead and top of the scalp.
Comb your hair: To make your hair look voluminous and grease-free without washing it, simply part your hair into sections, use hairspray and comb through with a comb!
Dry shampoo
How to make your hair less greasy
So want to know how to make your hair less greasy, and how you can teach those sebaceous glands to take a step back and finally give your hair a few more days of freshness? You’ll be happy to know that conditioning your hair is relatively simple and you can start with the following steps:
Choose Your Shampoo Wisely
By now, you’ve probably heard a million times that the best way to control oily hair is to shampoo less often, and it’s true. Shampoos are designed to cleanse your hair, which includes removing oil, so of course, the more often you use them, the harder it is for your sebaceous glands to work. This means that if you’re guilty of over-washing your hair, as many of us are, then you’re training it to do the opposite and pushing your hair to become greasy even faster. We recommend reducing your washing schedule to at least once every two to three days, and extending it if possible.
When washing your hair, it’s important to remember the type of shampoo to use; it needs to maintain a steady balance between removing all the dirt and keeping your hair thoroughly moisturized. The best choice is a purifying shampoo designed to gently wash away all the dirt and product that has built up on your hair. This makes them perfect for our hair extension girls, as they prevent dirt and oil from building up at the roots, which can leave your hair loose. However, since purifying shampoos are only so much more effective than their alternatives, it’s best to limit use to a few days a week rather than every time you wash your hair. Why not browse our hair extension shampoos and hair extension conditioners to treat yourself to a clarifying product? You can find more information about this in our guide to shampoos and conditioners for hair extensions.
