Hair gets greasy often? Hair expert reveals cause and solution

Many people struggle with greasy hair, so it’s important to know how to effectively tackle this issue. The main causes can be related to hormonal imbalances, improper hair care, or even diet, says The Mirror.
Why hair gets greasy quickly
Hair expert Anabel Kingsley shared that almost half of women (45%) wash their hair only two to three times a week, 21% wash every other day, and only one in ten wash daily.
The scalp is essentially an extension of the skin on the face; it sheds dead skin cells, produces sebum (oil), and collects dirt, dust, and sweat.
Each hair follicle is attached to a sebaceous gland, which also produces sebum, and infrequent washing can lead to the buildup of dirt, dead skin cells, oil, and other products, making the hair limp and greasy while also clogging hair follicles, which can hinder hair growth.
According to the expert, the main cause of greasy hair is infrequent washing. Try washing your hair every two days. You should spend about one minute washing and thoroughly massaging your scalp.
People often forget to massage the back of the scalp. Make sure to rinse well to remove shampoo residue, dirt, oil, and dead cells.
Annabel also noted that hair texture can play a significant role in scalp oiliness. She explained that people with finer hair tend to have more hair strands per centimeter compared to those with thicker or coarser hair.
This means that more sebaceous glands are producing sebum, so people with fine hair will see it become greasy more quickly.
What to do to prevent hair from getting greasy too often
The expert mentioned that with proper washing and professional products suited to your hair type, you can avoid quick buildup.
Using products that match your hair’s texture should not have side effects. For example, if they dry your hair, it’s because the product’s formula is not providing what your hair needs, not because you’re washing your hair too often.
The best way to get rid of greasy roots is to follow a proper hair care routine, including regular washing with an antimicrobial shampoo and a weekly scalp exfoliant containing piroctone olamine.
Look for shampoos with a mild cleansing agent like SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). People often avoid SLS in products because it can irritate. Therefore, if you have a sensitive scalp, choose sulfate-free shampoos.
"If you have fine hair, an oil-rich shampoo will likely weigh your hair down and make it look greasy and limp. Additionally, avoid using oils on your scalp as this not only makes your hair look greasy but can exacerbate conditions such as dandruff," explained the hair expert.
Read also about 5 common mistakes people make when dyeing their hair.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.