We’ve all had days where our hair has felt oily. Most of the time, we can hide it with a ponytail or braided hairstyle. However, if your hair is starting to feel oily most days, even after washing it, there may be a bigger problem.
What is Oily Hair?
Oily hair is caused by an overproduction of oils in the sebaceous glands on your scalp. Our scalp is covered in tiny pores called hair follicles that surround the root and strand of your hair.3 Hair follicles are where these sebaceous glands are found, and these glands are where the oil is produced.3 Normal production of oil help keep the skin and hair healthy and hydrated, while also preventing skin infections.3 Problems arise when these glands become overactive, and start to produce more oil than needed, causing an oily scalp.
You can tell if you have oily hair based on how your hair looks and feels. Your hair will look and feel greasy, and it might feel heavy at the scalp.3 Having a consistently oily scalp can cause itchiness and irritation as well.3
What Causes Oily Hair?
There are many potential reasons why people suffer from oily hair, from genetics to just environmental changes.
There are skin conditions such as seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis that could lead to oily scalp. Seborrhea is when the sebaceous glands create excess sebum, while seborrheic dermatitis is when there are scaly and greasy patches on the scalp and skin.2 Oily scalp can also be due to hormonal imbalances.2 These conditions should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Another thing to look at is your hair type. Straight and fine hair are more likely to be prone to oiliness than curly or thick hair.2 Oil from the scalp can cover the hair strand easier if it is a straight or fine strand as opposed to a thicker strand.2 Knowing your hair type is important so that you can use the right products for your hair. If you have fine hair that is more prone to oil, using a lighter shampoo that cleanses the scalp is more beneficial than using a moisturizing shampoo. Also, it is important to cleanse your hair properly regardless of hair type, as product buildup can lead to greasiness.2
There are also some outside factors that can contribute to an oily scalp. For example, your scalp can produce more oil due to a frequent use of hair towels, hair brushes, and hats.2 This is why it is recommended to replace your hairbrush every so often, or at least deep clean it. Additionally, environmental factors such as pollution and humidity can lead to hair oiliness.2 Finally, diet can also play a role in how much oil your hair produces. It was found that dairy and a high-glycemic diet may affect androgen hormones, which influence sebum production.2
How Do I Deal with My Oily Hair?
There are ways to manage your oily hair. To start, look at your shampoo and how you shampoo your hair in the shower. For those with a really oily scalp, look to wash your hair more often such as every other day or even every day.3 Also, make sure to to rinse your hair thoroughly in the shower to make sure there is nothing left behind on the scalp, you can use a scalp massager to do so.3 Another thing you can do is use a clarifying shampoo once a week to really deep clean your scalp from all the dirt and product build up.1 Finally, for those in between wash days, look to use a dry shampoo, but use it sparingly to avoid product buildup.3
Oily hair starts at the scalp, so it is super important to take proper care of your scalp. Too much stimulation of the scalp can cause the hair follicles to produce more oil.3 So, try to avoid brushing your hair too often, and rubbing harshly at your scalp when drying it with a towel.3 Also, avoid irritating your scalp by using too much heat on it, whether that be hot water during the shower or a hot blow dryer.3 Make sure that you are also using products with ingredients that won’t cause scalp irritation or product buildup, as both of those issues will lead to more oil production.
Finally, there are also some in-shower hair care tips that could help keep your hair fresher between wash days. If you suffer from an oily scalp but need the hydration of a conditioner, you could try conditioning your hair first, and then rinsing it with shampoo.1 It is recommended to do this once a week.1 Also, always focus the conditioner on your mids and ends to avoid too much moisture and product build up in the scalp. Another tip is to moisturize with a hair mask. According to celebrity hairstylist Kristen Shaw, “If you think your hair needs more moisture but are afraid of the oil, you can also try a light shampoo and pair it with a hair mask, so you get that extra push of moisture without the grease.” 1 This would be especially beneficial to those who have dry ends with an oily scalp. The Kazani Revitalizing Hair Mask is the best hair mask for nourishment, so it would be a great option to use when trying this hack!
All in all, dealing with hair oiliness can be annoying, but it is manageable. With the right routine, your hair can go from looking greasy and weighed down to refreshed and shiny. Hopefully this article gave some insight into how to manage your oily hair. Happy washing!
Notes
1 Flinn, Allie. “12 Ways to Get Rid of Perpetually Greasy Hair, According to Professionals.” Byrdie, 12 June 2024, www.byrdie.com/how-to-get-rid-of-greasy-hair-4686882. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
2 Sissons, Beth. “Greasy Hair after Washing: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 30 Mar. 2021, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/greasy-hair-after-washing. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
3 Vallie, Sarah. “Oily Hair: Tips and Tricks for Management.” WebMD, 7 Nov. 2022, www.webmd.com/beauty/why-is-my-hair-so-oily-how-to-manage-oily-hair. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
