5 tips to make oily hair problems disappear

Here are a few steps you can take to get rid of your oily hair problems right now.

Oily hair is the result of overactive sebaceous glands. Oils travel from the scalp up the hair shaft, resulting in limp, greasy looking hair. There is little you can do to change your body’s internal oil production, but you can minimize the appearance of oily hair. Heredity plays a large role in whether or not you have oily hair, but other factors like stress, diet, medications and hormones also influence oil production. If you are prone to acne you may also suffer from oily hair.

Oil is more visible on people with fine, straight hair strands than those with coarse or curly hair, which can absorb oil better. Sweat from exercise or the heat and humidity of warmer months makes it challenging to control greasy strands.

These tips below will help you in preventing and getting rid of oily hair:

One of the biggest mistakes people make in trying to combat oily hair is over-shampooing or washing too frequently. When that happens, the body’s natural reaction is to produce more oil to replace what’s been lost. Instead, wash hair every other day with a pH-balanced shampoo designed to target oily hair. Avoid shampoos with built-in conditioners. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to clarify your shampoo and help remove any product build-up on the hair shaft. Try not to scrub the scalp

Conditioners are designed to replace moisture lost from washing and drying hair, but this isn’t necessary when the scalp produces enough moisture. If necessary, use conditioner only on the ends. Skip it altogether if you have short hair.

Keep hair products away from the scalp and use as little product as possible to prevent weighing hair down. Keep brushing to a minimum, as it will spread the oils from the scalp throughout the strands. Be aware that hot tools can make your hair more susceptible to damage.

For a quick fix between washes, you can absorb extra oil with dry shampoo. These should be available in the shampoo and conditioner aisle, or you can create your own version at home. Corn starch, baking soda and baby powder are great natural alternatives to dry shampoo. Sprinkle close to the roots and brush out.

You can minimize excess sebum production by eating a well-rounded diet that contains lots of fruits and vegetables. Fried and fatty foods can contribute to oil production, but not all fats are bad. Opt for foods that contain essential fatty acids (EFAs) like nuts, sunflower seeds, fatty fish and avocados. Zinc and vitamin B-rich foods like oatmeal have been found helpful in combating excess oil. Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day.

Oily hair doesn’t have to be an embarrassing mop on your head. Rethink your approach to hair hygiene and get rid of oily hair for good.