Five ways to deal with flat, greasy hair

Hair

Apr 26

How can you tell if you have oily hair? These signs are revealing: if your hair is greasy around the roots, feels heavy, and looks flat, then you're probably suffering from a scalp that over-produces oil. Even if you wash your hair every day, you always end up with oil-slicked tresses even before dawn. So what can you do to deal with greasy, flat hair?

First things first, greasy hair is like oily skin: it can be caused by the build up of products, natural oils, and dirt. It can also happen because of your genetic predisposition, hormones, medical conditions, or even medications such as birth control. But this doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it.

Tip #1: Wash your hair less often.

Ideally, instead of washing your hair every day, wash it every two to three days only. This may sound counter intuitive, but the more you strip your hair of natural oils, the more your hair forcefully replaces those oils! Skipping shampoo may feel make you feel even greasier than usual, but as your hair regains its balance, it will decrease oil production as well. Try an every-other-day washing routine to give your hair enough time to replace natural oils.

Tip #2: Use silicone-free shampoos.

Generally, you should avoid shampoos with silicone if you have greasy hair. Silicone attracts particles in the air that makes hair feel dirty much faster than normal. This is why you feel like your hair is heavy, so you wash it more frequently. And we all know what happens next when you overwash your hair!

Opt for silicone-free shampoos, or choose shampoos with salicylic acid since it helps reduce oil in the scalp. Check the label though and go for products that have 3% salicylic acid content for best results. If you can’t find silicone-free shampoos use a gentle cleansing shampoo instead, or rotate your current shampoos once every week to avoid buildup. Try the Lush Shampoo Bars or Human Heart Nature Shampoos for gentler options.

Tip #3: Use clarifying shampoo once a week

Sometimes though, switching shampoos is not enough to get rid of build up in your scalp. If this happens, we recommend that you use a clarifying shampoo once a week to cleanse your scalp and hair. Remember to do it once a week only though because it can strip your hair of essential oils. Try the Celeteque Clarifying Shampoo or the Human Heart Nature Clarifying Shampoo.

Tip #4: Use dry shampoo to manage oil on no-wash days.

For days when you don’t wash your hair, use dry shampoo. Dry shampoo will soak up oil from your roots, making it appear less greasy at the moment or when you’re in between washes. Just make sure to apply it properly to properly diffuse the product and avoid any white spots forming on your scalp. Don't have the budget? Try making it at home!

Tip #5: Use the right hair washing technique.

There are times though that no matter what shampoo you use, you’ll still end up with greasy hair if you don’t use the right washing technique. To properly cleanse your hair, apply only a small amount of shampoo to your scalp and massage it vigorously with your fingertips. Gently pull the lather through your hair then rise.

For conditioners, apply only from the mid-shaft to the ends as applying conditioner all over will weigh your hair down and cause oily roots. To apply, lather your roots then slowly pull the conditioner through the rest of your hair, avoiding the scalp. You can also try reverse hair washing to minimize the amount of conditioner left on your hair, but still get its benefits!

Tip #6: Skip the hair styling products and hair straighteners for while.

Avoid products that make hair “shiny” such as hair serums. If you really have to use styling products, pick those that do not have silicone or oils.

If you have flat hair, you are more prone to getting greasy locks because your hair lies closer to your head and easily comes in contact with oil on your scalp. Let your hair air dry and then gently finger comb to avoid flattening your hair further.

Tip #7: Balance your brushing.

Make sure you brush just enough for the day to distribute the oil in your hair evenly. Do take note though that not brushing too often can stimulate oil production while not brushing enough gathers oil unto your scalp.