How to take care of oily hair?

Do you feel the sensation of dirty, heavy hair and don't know how to take care of oily hair?

Find out the causes and understand why your hair is or becomes oily and how you can improve it!

Changing some habits, choosing the right products to use, and consulting with a trichologist (a dermatologist specializing in hair and hair care) can help you have healthier hair.

Is oil production in the scalp bad?

Considering that everything in our body has a function, oil production in the scalp is a natural and necessary process to protect and moisturize our hair.

However, unbalanced oil production by the sebaceous glands, in addition to the unpleasant sensation and appearance, can cause problems or diseases such as itching, dandruff, acne, dermatitis, seborrhea, and even hair loss.

But why is my hair oily?

There are several factors that can alter oil production in your hair. Some possible causes are:

• Insufficient or excessive hair washing;
• Hot water showers;
• Constant use of hairdryer, flat iron, curling iron at high temperatures;
• Choosing products for other hair types;
• Inappropriate use of conditioners and creams;
• Excessive chemical treatments (straightening, bleaching, dyeing…);
• Touching hair frequently;
• Constant use of hair accessories (caps, hats, headbands);
• Sleeping with damp hair;
• Leaving a wet towel on hair for a long time;
• Unhealthy eating and drinking habits;
• Prolonged sun exposure;
• Stressful routine;
• Lack of restful sleep;
• Physiological issues and hormonal changes;
• Use of medications and contraceptives;
• Exposure to environments with high-fat content.

If you identify with any of these habits, you can intuitively adopt the opposite routine to take care of oily hair. Do some tests and if the problem persists, consult your specialist.

How to take care of oily hair?

You can reduce oil production in your hair by adopting some simple measures:

• Alternate washing routine;
• Use lower temperatures during showers;
• Use lower temperatures with electric devices or keep them away from hair roots;
• Opt for natural hair drying;
• Buy products specifically for oily hair;
• Apply conditioner only to the ends;
• Avoid: leave-in creams, frequent hair handling, and constant use of accessories;
• Follow a hair care schedule;
• Consider individual factors;
• Eat well and drink plenty of water;
• Engage in physical activities and/or relaxation;
• Seek medical advice

Understand:

Washing your hair every other day is the most recommended frequency.

If you have the habit of washing your hair every day or several times a day, be aware that constantly removing the hair's oil can have the opposite effect: stimulating the sebaceous glands even more. This is considered the rebound effect.

Using milder temperatures when showering and when drying or styling your hair is also advisable. This practice prevents dryness and provides greater shine to the strands.

Hot water or heat sources dry out the scalp and further stimulate sebum production (again, the rebound effect).

Allowing your hair to dry naturally and going to bed with completely dry hair are simple habits that can prevent hair diseases.

Keeping your hair wrapped in a wet towel for too long after showering or going to bed with damp hair can cause the scalp to become stuffy, leading to diseases.

Specific products for oily hair have their own studies and technologies. Using transparent shampoos with an astringent effect can provide better results.

Repeat hair washing during the shower and massage only the scalp without rubbing the length, letting the shampoo run freely to cleanse. Use your fingertips, making circular motions, and never use your nails to avoid injuring your head while lathering it.

It is recommended to use anti-residue shampoos, hair exfoliants, or ampoules for deeper cleansing and oil balance, only once a week. Overusing these products can also cause the opposite reaction.

Even with oily hair, it is essential to use conditioner to seal hair cuticles and leave your hair more protected, soft, and shiny.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying conditioner, allowing it to act for the appropriate time. Rinse thoroughly without leaving residue and apply only to the length (below ear level) or just the ends if you have short hair.

Avoid products containing sodium sulfate or alcohol that strip all the oil from the hair, leaving it unprotected and causing the rebound effect.

Products with silicone and oils in the formula should also be kept far away from your hair, as they can leave your locks looking heavy and clog pores, causing more oiliness.

The same applies to the use of leave-in creams. According to dermatologist Joana:

“Leave-in creams — or even conditioners, when overused — leave residues that can lead to fungal growth. Moreover, these residues help clog the pores of the glands, which can cause dermatitis.”

in an interview for Aneethun Beleza com Inteligência

Avoid constant brushing and frequently touching your hair, as they can stimulate oil production and transfer dirt from your hands to the strands.

Another way to help control sebum production in your hair is by following a hair care schedule, which consists of a time-limited hair care routine (generally 4 weeks) that combines hydration, nutrition, and reconstruction steps, and is capable of restoring essential nutrients to keep your hair healthy.

Although they are very common for dry or chemically treated hair, choosing good products for the execution of the schedule can help in the self-regulation of the sebaceous glands of oily hair.

Considering that everything in our bodies is interconnected, our daily routines influence the proper functioning and balance of our bodies. Diet, sleep quality, and water intake affect the pH of the skin and scalp, and can also influence the body's production of more or less oil.

Make an effort to engage in regular physical activities to reduce stress, which releases cortisol in the body, stimulating the production of oil from the sebaceous glands. Relaxation activities such as meditation and yoga are ideal for alleviating stressful routines.

If, even after learning how to care for oily hair and adopting positive habits, you still do not succeed, a visit to your doctor should be mandatory.

Other factors such as hormonal changes, taking certain medications, or physiological conditions may be altering the balanced functioning of your sebaceous glands.

In these cases, your doctor will request some tests and, after an accurate diagnosis, may suggest other ways for you to restore your hair's health.

Tips for immediate results!

To conclude, when an appointment appears at the end of the workday, or when there's no time for a shower, Loreal Paris suggests some "dirty tricks" that can be used to disguise oily hair and are worth a try:

• Use dry shampoo – it absorbs hair oil but does not remove dirt. If used consistently, it can irritate the scalp, causing a rebound effect. Use only in sporadic situations.
• Wash only the bangs with purifying shampoo without conditioner;
• Change the hair part – hide the most exposed part of the hair by changing the partition (right, middle, left);
• Change the hairstyle – hair tied up always disguises oiliness.

After all, who hasn't?

Don't forget that nothing is a one-size-fits-all solution! The way people you know take care of their oily hair may seem great, but it might not work for you. Always consider your routine, needs, and budget!