Oily hair can result from brushing your hair too often, stress or fluctuating hormone levels. Teenagers can have problems with oily hair because the follicles containing the sebaceous glands that make sebum can become overactive during adolescence. Whatever the reason, special treatments and daily care can help prevent or restore your hair to shiny, healthy locks that are not weighed down by excess oil.
Shampoo Often
Excess oil coats the hair and can build up over time. Washing your hair every day with a gentle shampoo will help control the amount of oil on the hair. The National Institutes of Health recommends leaving shampoo on the scalp for five minutes before rinsing to help control oil. Choose a shampoo designed to treat oily hair. Other shampoos may contain moisturizers or oils that can exacerbate the problem.
Avoid Brushing
Avoid brushing your hair and choose combing over brushing if possible. Brushing your hair carries the oil from the scalp to the ends of your hair. If you must use a brush, choose one with plastic teeth that are wide-set. Avoid boar bristle brushes that put damaging friction on the hair, recommends the American Academy of Dermatology.
Baby Powder Touch-Up
When you are in a rush and do not have time to shampoo, sprinkle a little baby powder on your dry hair and comb it through to absorb excess oil. The trick is to sprinkle just a small amount, let it sit for three to five minutes and then comb it through to the ends.
Homemade Astringent
Using an astringent rinse can cleanse excess oil from the scalp. Mix equal amounts of witch hazel and mouthwash to create a simple homemade astringent. Blot the astringent only on the scalp using cotton balls. Try to avoid getting too much astringent on your hair, as it could be damaging.
Hormone Medications
Fluctuating hormones can cause the scalp to produce excess sebum, which means medications that affect your hormones, such as birth control pills, can affect the oiliness of your hair. Talk with your doctor or health care provider if you are taking hormone medications that may be causing your oily hair.
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