What causes oily hair and how to combat it
Are you someone who suffers from oily hair? You’re not alone! This is a commonly reported hair concern and as a result, many companies are working hard to keep those oils at bay! So what simple steps can you do to keep the grease away? First, we need to understand why oily hair happens, ways we can manage it and finding the right product for you.
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What causes oily hair?
One of the common causes for oily hair is the overproduction of sebum which is found on the skin. Overactive sebaceous glands are to blame and are one of the most common reasons why a person will experience oily hair. Other reasons can be the overuse of treatments such as hydrating masks and using them incorrectly. How are you applying your conditioner? Do you apply directly to your roots or just the mid-lengths and ends?
The best practice is to apply a small amount of conditioner into your hand and brush it through like a comb with your fingers. This will help to remove knots, clean and hydrate the hair without coming into direct contact with your scalp. Stress and diet can also play a role in the production of oils too. When you’re stressed, your body can sometimes produce excess Cortisol hormone throughout the sebaceous glands, making it overproduce. Relax, eat well and monitor your hair to really get it under control.
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Ways to manage oily hair
How often do you find that you are washing your hair a week? Some people produce so much oil that they need to wash their hair multiple times every day! If this is you, stop now. Seriously though, this can be hindering, not helping you.
Some people report having an oily scalp but dry ends. This is very common, especially for those who colour their hair!
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Find the best oily hair treatment for you
There are so many products on the market for people who suffer from greasy hair. It can be a difficult choice to know what will be best for you and it may involve some trial and error or seeking help from a professional. We always advocate that you speak with your hairdresser first. Who knows your hair better, right? Different salons will recommend products based on their experiences or what they currently stock. Ask the important questions you want to know before committing to the purchase.
Although oily hair is your main concern, we want you to think about what else is important too. Are you someone who colours frequently? If so, what colour hair? You may need a specialised colour shampoo and conditioner to ensure that whatever you use to strip the oils doesn’t also compromise your colour too. For blondes we recommend the No Yellow Formula by Fanola (vegan) to keep those ends hydrated while preserving the colour and reducing oil.
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You may be environmentally conscientious and want something that’s going to be eco-friendly and cruelty-free. The majority of the brands we stock aren’t tested on animals and take the best considerations possible to ensure that they are helping to protect the environment. We love Eleven Deep Clean Shampoo & Conditioner for this reason. They are PETA approved and offer amazing results!
Another great idea is to consider products with activated charcoal. This is an ingredient that is being used more widely now to help remove excess oils. Our top pick is the 18in1 detox range because they are Aussie-made, contain no parabens and sulphate, and are gluten-free and cruelty-free too. Oh, it also smells incredible and gives you a little bit of an invigorating tingle that you’ll love too!
Top tips when washing your hair
While having the right product is one of the biggest steps to take to reduce oil, there are still other things you can do. Other management tips for your hair care routine are arguably just as important:
- Wash your hair less – excess washing can lead to a chemical change in the skin and lead to an overproduction of sebum!
- Shampoo twice, condition once. The first time helps to remove the oils and the second time will help allow for a deep cleanse.
- Apply shampoo directly on the dry scalp first. Some chemists and medical professionals advocate applying directly to dry hair. Oil and water separate when mixed together so it may be impacting your results (try the milk, water, food colouring and oil test to see what we mean).
- Only apply conditioner to your mid-lengths and ends. Applying on roots will almost immediately make the hair look and feel greasy.
- Thoroughly wash out the product from your hair. There’s nothing worse than missed product and making patches of your hair look visibly oily!
- Stick to a healthy diet. Fatty acids and vitamins are scientifically proven to be good for balancing the chemicals in your hair. They can add shine and promote strength. Dairy and refined sugars on the other hand can be making your life harder, so consider reducing them!
- Get plenty of rest and try to reduce stress. Stress = cortisol hormone which leads to the overproduction of sebum!
- Dry shampoo – Hide the oil and try to last longer between washing. This is how to get away with it visually!
- Brush your hair to distribute oils
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These are just some of what causes oily hair. These styling tips we what we recommend to our clients and hope they help you to make better choices in your hair. Do you have a favourite product or tips we’ve missed? Comment below!
