People occasionally find that their hair still appears greasy after washing. There are several reasons as to why this could be happening.
Persistently greasy hair may be due to an overproduction of sebum, which can sometimes indicate an underlying health condition.
However, the way people wash and care for their hair, and the type of hair products they use, may be the cause.
Overly greasy hair may be due to seborrhea, which is a relatively common skin condition. Seborrhea occurs when the sebaceous glands create excess oil, or sebum, making the skin and scalp oily.
Most people with seborrhea do not have any underlying health problems. However, some people may have an underlying condition, such as a hormone imbalance. The type of hair a person has can also affect how greasy their hair becomes. Straight or fine hair is most likely to appear greasy than curly or thick hair. This is because sebum from the scalp can more easily cover the whole strand of hair if it is straight or thin.
If people are using oily or waxy hair products or not cleansing their hair thoroughly, it can cause a buildup of oil, skin cells, and sweat in the hair. This may make it still appear greasy after washing.
Oil may also come from items a person uses on their hair frequently, such as:
Hair towels
Hairbrushes or combs
Hats and scarves
These items can pick up sebum from the scalp when used regularly. Using them without washing them between hair washes may result in the hair become greasy faster.
Other factors that can contribute to greasy may include:
1. Overwashing
You might think that you’re doing your scalp a favor by scrubbing it regularly, but overwashing your hair can actually make it even greasier. “The scalp produces natural oils rich in vitamins and nutrients that help hair to grow healthy and strong, but when you wash too frequently, the hair is stripped of its natural vitamins and nutrients. When this happens, it starts to overproduce those natural oils, which leads to grease. To combat the issue, it is suggested limiting washing your hair—even down to once or twice a week.
2. Washing the wrong way
Even if you’re limiting your washes to a few times a week, unless you’re doing it right you still may wind up feeling extra oily. The way you wash your hair has a lot to do with how your scalp behaves. When applying shampoo, you have to massage your scalp with your fingers to remove dirt. And when using conditioner, you have to wash it out really well, so that the pH of your hair doesn’t change and it doesn’t become greasy.
3. Dirty air
There’s a startling statistic that the air indoors is actually more polluted than the air outside, which can be bad news for keeping your scalp clean. If you live in a dustier area or home, that dust can collect on your scalp which can cause glands to become blocked and sweat more, producing more grease.
4. Your diet
There are certain foods can cause your skin to become oily, well the same thing can happen on your head. Think of your scalp as you do you face: when you eat junk food, you can see it on your face, and the same goes for your scalp. Your best bet for keeping it clear is through a healthy diet packed with fruits, veggies, calcium, and protein.
5. Touching your hair
Running your hands through your hair is a certain way to wind up with a greasy scalp. The oils and dirt that collect on your fingers and palms of your hand will deposit into wherever you’re touching your hair, and usually that’s along the front hairline around your face. So unless you’re styling, keep your fingers far, far away from your Hair.
6. The temperature
If you are in a hot environment you could start to see the effects on your scalp. If the temperature becomes too hot and you are prone to sweating, that will definitely contribute to a greasier scalp. When your AC isn’t removing all the moisture out of the air it could make your hair look greasier, so try to keep things cool as much as possible.
Preventing greasy hair after washing
People may find the following tips helpful for preventing greasy hair after washing:
- use a clarifying shampoo and a lightweight conditioner, avoiding the roots
- avoid heavy oil or wax-based styling products, as these can add to residue and build-up
- regularly clean hairbrushes, combs, hair towels, pillowcases, and headwear
- try dietary changes, such as a low glycemic diet, to see if this reduces sebum production
Greasy hair after washing may be due to a person’s hair care routine, an overproduction of sebum or environmental factors.
People may be able to stop hair from becoming greasy as quickly by using a gentle clarifying shampoo and lightweight, non-greasy hair products. If home treatments are not effective, people can see their doctor or dermatologist for further treatment.
