A greasy scalp is the worst. Not only does it cause flaking, but it makes your hair limp, lifeless and nearly disgusting to run through with your hands. Oily hair is caused by sebum production in the scalp. Much like your T-zone, the sebaceous glands produces a natural oil that keeps the skin and hair smooth and shiny. It’s almost like a natural hair conditioner that your body produces to keep your hair soft.
Oily hair starts with an oily scalp, and an oily scalp is caused by internal problems and some of the factors includes your diet, hormones stress, and occasionally, the wrong type of hair-care product. From quick fixes to hair treatments, here are several methods to help you deal with greasy hair.
1. Use a dry shampoo
If your hair doesn’t flake and your scalp doesn’t itch a day after your wash, then invest in a good dry shampoo! Dry shampoo absorbs the grease around your scalp and it gives you a fresh feeling after! Our favorite is the Alterna Bamboo Beach Mango Coconut Refreshing Dry Shampoo ! Apart from being free from harsh parabens and sulfates, this silky dry shampoo refreshes your hair with a highly delicious scent! It even has UV protection to combat the damaging effects of the sun too.
2. Use baking soda
Over-shampooing your hair strips your scalps of its natural oils, which eventually increases the production of oil. But then again, you can’t just stop shampooing your hair altogether, right? Baking soda is a relatively affordable method to control the production of oil in your scalp. You can choose to make a treatment paste out of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water or natural juice, and massage it into your scalp once a week. Or, you can combine 2 teaspoons of baking soda into your shampoo and make it part of your daily regime. Baking soda also keeps unwanted chemicals in the shampoo from entering your blood stream through your scalp, so definitely give a thumbs up to baking soda!
3. Use some acid
We don’t mean skin-melting acid, but acidic solutions that are safe to consume like apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Make a bottle of your own lemon hair spritz that you can store in your purse and refresh your scalp whenever you need to! Combine a quarter cup of lemon juice and some water, mix well and pour into a spray bottle. Spritz it on your scalp when your hair is feeling lifeless and massage it thoroughly. Lemon juice also helps with dandruff too, but remember that lemon juice can lighten your hair.
4. Have some beer
Did you know that women in the 50s and 60s used wash their hair with beer? Beer’s offers a deeper cleanse while giving it volume. After you shampoo your hair, apply some beer over your tresses and let it sit for five minutes and then rinse. Lemon juice works, but the acidity levels in beer aren’t as harmful. The smell can get a little off-putting, but it will subside as it dries.
5. Make your own hair rinse
Apple cider vinegar is a product in your kitchen that does wonders to your hair. It’s a natural shampoo that curbs problems like dry hair, dandruff, hair fall and oily scalp. Combining apple cider vinegar with equal parts of water offers the same pH levels as your scalp which means it does not irritate the scalp despite its high acidity content. Heat a cup of apple cider vinegar and a cup of water on a stove top. Let it simmer and then throw in some fresh herbs like mint leaves, rosemary and some lemon peel. Let it simmer for five minutes, leave it cool and then transfer it into a squeeze bottle. After shampooing your hair, run the concoction through your hair and massage it in for 5 minutes. It takes a few rinses for your scalp to adjust so be prepared for a little additional grease in the first few washes.
