About Oily Hair

Overview

Oily hair tends to lay limp and flat against the head, clumps together and often looks dirty, even when freshly washed. If you have fine hair, you may have more of a problem with oiliness than others because you actually have more individual hairs on your head, and the more hair you have, the more oil-producing glands you have. Fortunately, there are many commercial products and home remedies you can use to keep oily hair looking clean and healthy.

Causes

Oily hair is the result of overactive sebaceous glands near the surface of the scalp at the base of each stand of hair. These glands secrete sebum, a mixture of fats and other substances that normally keep your hair and scalp from drying out.

Hormonal changes, such as when you are going through puberty or menopause, and anything that affects the balance of hormones in your body, such as stress or hormonal medication, can make your hair oilier. Genetics, poor air quality, hot weather, humidity and bad diet can all contribute to a problem with oily hair.

Significance

Oily hair looks greasy and can also lead to dandruff and other scalp problems, such as acne-like breakouts on the scalp and even hair loss.

Sebaceous glands are found everywhere under your skin, so it is very easy to transfer oils from your face to your hair and from your hair to your face--from wearing bangs, for instance. This could cause or aggravate acne breakouts.

Treatment

Choose oil-free shampoos specifically designed to treat oily hair. These shampoos are usually transparent and contain ingredients that remove sebum from the scalp. Avoid using creamy rinses, conditioners or other products that coat hair or leave an oily residue. If the ends of your hair are dry, apply oil-free conditioner as directed, but just on the ends.

Prevention

Wash your hair every day or every other day with lukewarm to cool water. The directions on most shampoo bottles that instruct you to wash, rinse and repeat are especially important for people with oily hair. During the second wash, leave shampoo on for at least several minutes before washing.

Brush and comb your hair gently to avoid distributing oil from your scalp throughout the length of your hair.

Home Remedies

After washing your hair, rinse occasionally with an acidic mixture of 1 cup water and a spoonful of vinegar or lemon juice.

To soak up excess oil when you are in a hurry and don't have time for a wash, sprinkle just a little baby powder or even cornstarch in your dry hair, just near the scalp. Use your fingers to tussle the hair and distribute the powder. After a minute, brush lightly until you can no longer see the powder.