how to care for oily hair

Oily hair is the result of excess sebum, natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp. The causes may be many, from humid weather to too much handling. Many people in Malta experience oily hair in certain seasons due to the high humidity. Using the wrong hair products, over shampooing and conditioning, hormonal fluctuations, inadequate diet and certain health conditions can all contribute to an oily scalp. Hair oils will tend to accumulate at the roots, resulting in flat, lifeless, sticky hair. Find out how you can care for oily hair so that it remains light, voluminous and vibrant.

check that washing routine

While you may be tempted to shampoo your hair daily to remove the excess oils, shampoo strips your scalp from all the oils, encouraging even more sebum production. Try washing less frequently and using dry shampoo in between washes – it absorbs oil from your roots, keeps hair looking good and allows you to reduce wash frequency, which will make hair less greasy in the long run. Carefully select a shampoo and conditioner suitable for oily hair and condition only the ends. Use warm water to help thoroughly clean out oil buildup but rinse with cold water to tighten those pores and close the cuticle. Blow dry with cool air as hot air opens up pores and encourages oil production.

handle with care

Touching and brushing hair stimulates the production of sebum so reduce handling your hair as much as possible. Do not play with your hair, period. Brush just the minimum to keep your hair well-groomed, as this also helps distribute the oil along your strands, avoiding buildup at the roots.

try some tricks

Try brushing the roots of your hair with half a fresh lemon five minutes before taking a bath – it has an astringent and toning effect that balances oil production and restores the scalp’s pH balance. Rinse your hair with 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per 1 litre of water for a similar effect – the smell will disappear when the hair dries. If you are out of dry shampoo, use talc – rub a small quantity into the roots such that no white residue remains; alternatively, combine with cacao powder.

don’t be harsh

Straightening hair can contribute to increased oil distribution because of the heat application and too much handling. Additionally, when hair lies flat against the scalp it will come into contact with more oil – find ways to lift it away from your scalp, curls work well! In any case, avoid any harsh styling methods and heavy styling products such as gels. Use any styling products sparingly to avoid weighing your hair down and accumulating residue. Be kind to your hair and your hair will be kind to you.

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