Nothing ruins a good hair day quite like greasy roots. Often times, our natural reaction to get rid of oily hair is to lather our strands with shampoo, but this may be doing you more harm than good. Believe it or not, washing your hair too much can actually make it greasier. If you struggle with oily tresses, this may be your sign to switch up your routine and avoid washing your hair every day. Continue reading to understand why washing too much may cause oily hair.
What Causes Oily Hair?
The scalp and skin are covered with sebaceous glands that secrete an oily substance, called sebum. Sebum gives your hair shine and prevents your strands from becoming dry. However, overactive sebaceous glands produce too much oil, which causes greasy hair. Excessive oil on the scalp can eventually lead to a skin irritation called seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis causes red, itchy patches on the scalp. There are several factors that may contribute to an overproduction of sebum, including stress, diet, hormones, and poor hair-care practices.
Why Does Over Washing Cause Oily Hair?
Although it may seem like you’re solving your greasy hair issues by washing your tresses, it may be making your hair even greasier. The scalp naturally produces oils, rich in nutrients that supply your hair with the necessary vitamins to grow strong and healthy. When you over-wash your hair, you strip the scalp of its natural oil. As a response to the removal of too much oil from your hair, your scalp is signaled to produce more oil. The increased production of oil creates a buildup and makes your hair feel and look greasy. Additionally, over washing or excess scrubbing during shampooing can irritate the scalp and trigger excessive oil production.
Finding the Right Washing Routine
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all hair-washing routine. It may take trial and error to find the proper washing schedule for your hair type. Those with fine, thin hair often wash more frequently than those with medium to thick hair. To combat the grease, consider washing your hair only two or three times a week. Be patient for a few weeks while your hair adjusts to your new washing routine.
Skip the daily washes and instead stack your new and improved hair-care routine with a scalp exfoliator and clarifying shampoo twice a week. A scalp exfoliator, like the one from Better Not Younger, will remove excess skin, oil, and buildup, making way for fresh, clean strands. It will unclog your pores to ensure your hair follicles receive the nutrients they need to grow strong hair. Additionally, a clarifying shampoo detoxes the scalp by washing away buildup. It also provides volume for fine, thin hair.
Conclusion
Although scrubbing away the oil may seem like the right thing to do, it could actually be making your hair greasier. Washing your hair too much strips your hair of its natural oils, so your scalp produces more to replace them. You may consider using a scalp exfoliator or clarifying shampoo a few times a week to efficiently preserve your natural oils, while still getting rid of the grease.