If your hair is as flat as a pancake and as oily as the bottom of a fast food bag, you can find help with the right shampoo. There are many shampoos for flat, oily hair on the market, and knowing what ingredients to look for can help you sift through the choices. An understanding of your hair's condition and needs can also help you find the perfect shampoo to get your hair healthy and beautiful.
Hair Background
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, according to "Teens Health." Hair grows from the follicles beneath your scalp, which also produce an oily substance called sebum. People with fine hair tend to have a lot of hair, states "Hair Boutique," resulting in more sebaceous glands and oil production. Fine hair also tends to be flat, so flat and oily hair is a common combination. Shampoo for oily hair can help remove excess oil from the hair, while volumizing shampoo can add body to limp hair.
Ingredients for Flat Hair
If your hair is flat, a volumizing shampoo can add some oomph with ingredients that add texture to your hair. When choosing a volumizing shampoo, look for products with sugars, wheat starch and amino acids to add fullness, advises Oprah.com. Shampoos with polyquaternarium-10 can add texture to your locks. Styling residue and volumizers can also build up on your hair, so a clarifying shampoo with an alpha hydroxy acid like citric acid can help remove buildup. Between washes, you can try a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and add volume, advises "Daily Beauty."
Ingredients for Oily Hair
Shampoos that specify they are for oily hair or that say "clarifying" or "oil control" are formulated to remove excess oil from fine, greasy hair. Look for a shampoo with an astringent, which helps cut oil. Plant extracts with astringents include rosemary, sage, chamomile and tea tree oil. Avoid shampoos with moisturizers as they will add more oil to your hair. Conditioners, especially deep conditioning treatments, can add extra oil as well, so avoid conditioners or use a lightweight conditioner on the middle and ends of your hair but not on your scalp.
Expert Insight
Expensive shampoos from salons are not any better than budget-friendly shampoos from the drugstore, says shampoo expert Paula Begoun in a CBS News report, "Are Expensive Shampoos Better?" Shampoos at all price levels contain about the same ingredients, Begoun says, so you can find what you need at your local drug or discount store. It is more helpful to pay attention to ingredients and shampoo types than the brand or packaging.
Considerations
Don't use hot water when you shampoo, as it can stimulate the oil glands, causing your hair to become more oily. Also, avoid using heavy styling products, as they can weigh your hair down and make it more flat. When you do use styling products, make sure they are designed for your hair type so they do not contain extra vitamins and moisturizers.
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