Why Does My Hair Get Greasy So Fast? Causes and Solutions

Have you ever thought to yourself ‘why does my hair get greasy so quickly’? You aren’t the only one. Every person with greasy hair will agree that these are annoying hair types, especially when they make one get uncomfortable shortly after washing. But the good news? You’re not stuck with it! The following have explanations that, if altered, can enable an individual to minimize his/her greasy hair:

In this article, we will deep-dive into why hair becomes greasier than it seems in a short period, possible causes, and how to avoid this and keep your hair as fresh as you want.

What Causes Hair to Get Greasy?

It is oily hair due to over secretion of the sebaceous gland that secretes sebum onto the hair. Sebum plays a major role in maintaining hair health, in addition to enhancing the hair smoothness and shine when produced in small quantities, excessive production results in oily scalp and greasy hair. Some oil is OK and expected but there are conditions that would cause your hair to become more oily than usual.

Overactive Sebaceous Glands

Another primary factor why hair becomes greasy quickly is that sebaceous glands are overactive. These glands are controlled by heredity, hormones, and also the lifestyle of an individual. When you are one of the people who usually secrete more sebum you are most likely to struggle with oily hair than others.

Tip: When washing your hair try to use mild shampoos without sulfate which help in minimizing the secretion of sebum in your hair.

Hormonal  Imbalance

A great deal has also been written about the function of hormones in sebum secretion and this is well substantiated through practice. Sebaceous glands which are glandular organs present in both sexes, specifically act in response to androgens. This is why many people encounter more oilliness during teenage hood, pregnancy or even when menstruating. Another cause of excessive oil production is hormonal: for example, PCOS or another hormonal disorder may make your pores oilier.

Tip: If you think that it could be due to hormones, it is advised to seek a doctor’s attention. They can suggest remedies to level the hormones and therefore prevent formation of excess sebum.

Washing Hair too Often

One of the most popular myths is that if a person washes his or her hair more frequently, they will keep their hair less oily. Actually, if you overdo washing you are likely to find your hair becoming greasy quicker than before. Cleaning the scalp often is drying therefore the scalp has to over produce oil in order to compensate.

Tip: You can also reduce the frequency of washing your hair and wash it every other day, or wash it every few days. When you feel like your hair needs a break from constant washing but you can’t wait to get a professional wash, then worry not; dry shampoo is your go-to product.

Using the Wrong Products

Some of the available hair products may be the cause of the oily hair among the individuals. Some of these are heavy conditioners, serums, and styling products that can bog the hair down making it look oily sooner. Products containing oil or silicone especially can cause buildup, which actually increase grease in the process.

Tip: But for that fresh feeling, it is recommended to select the water based products which are comparatively lighter in weight. It is also advisable not to use hair products that have“Oh, yes, they have moisturizing or hydrating claims on the bottle.” 

Touching your Hair Frequently

Well, the next time you notice your hair is excessively oily and greasy on the scalp after a day full of touching your hair, then perhaps it is time to hold your hair back. Our palms have sebum, which relocates on the hair every time we rub our hands on it. This habit can easily give your hair a dirty look and feel and a very short amount of time.

Tip: It is possible to keep the hands off the hair most of the time as much as possible. When restyling hair, you should think of using a brush instead of your hands.

Environmental Factors

Smoking, poor diet, stress as well as pollution, humidity, and temperature also have an impact on the greasiness of hair. The air consists of pollution which falls on the scalp and accumulates the production of oils on the scalp. High temperatures and especially high humidity can also make people sweat more, and sweat on sebum makes hair look greasy even faster.

Tip: If you reside in a large city or high humidity level, you may want to shampoo once a day, or every couple of days use a clarifying shampoo.

Poor Diet

Consuming foods high in processed, sugar, or unhealthy fats can have visibly and tangible effects on one’s skin and hair. Seborrhea can be contributed by a diet that is not balanced. There are various types of foods you should avoid if you want to get your hair to stop getting greasier faster: Foods that contain sugar and fats are likely to increase the rate of oil production on your scalp.

Tip: A better way that I summed up to enhance my hair health to a better level is to ensure I take more fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in my diet. Another factor that can be controlled is water intake, though it has been found that water consumption does aid in controlling sebum levels.

Stress Levels

Many skin and hair related issues are associated with stress, including oil production. Stress results in high levels of cortisol, a hormone, which has the ability to lead to stimulation of the sebaceous glands to produce even more oil.

Tip: Make an effort and take cortisol out with stress-relieving activities and exercises including yoga, jogging, painting or other activities. Stress is wrong for the body, so it is wrong for the hair; therefore, lowering stress is good for the mind and good for the hair.

Genetic Factors

Hair is another reason why hair gets greasy so fast. Genetics are also known to be responsible for why hair gets greasy so fast. If your parents or your other dear ones have naturally oiled hair then you are likely to be genetically influenced by the same problem. As much as one cannot alter their genes when it comes to hair care, there is always a right approach to making hair care work for you.

Tip: Accept your hair type and look for a product that is suitable for your oily hair type. Using a volumizing shampoo and following these tips, your hair will become lighter and will feel cleaner after trims.

Build-Up of Product Residue

When you use hair products and do not wash them off properly, you may end up having greasy hair. Conditioners, gels and leaves in treatments typically deposit on the hair shaft and therefore, create an accumulation that leaves hair appearing and actually feeling oily and dirty much faster.

Tip: When using shampoo, and conditioner wash your hair very well to ensure that there is no residue left behind. You should use a clarifying shampoo if possible only once a week in order to clear up any residue that may remain on your hair after washing.

Lack of Regular Scalp Care

Most individuals pay much attention to the hair and not the scalps and this is important because hair begins from the scalps. The scalp needs proper hygiene too because if it is not attended to, it attracts oil, dead skin cells and product debris,which is probably why your hair gets oily as soon as you wash it.

Tip: Once a week, adopt a scalp scrub that will help to offer a deep clean as well as a good scrub. That may assist in controlling oil output and promoting healthy skin on the head.

Tips to Keep your Hair from Getting Greasy so Fast

Now that you understand the causes, here are some actionable tips to help keep your hair from getting greasy too quickly:

Opt for Dry Shampoo: This can help your hair clear out extra oil within between the washes and make your hair look fresh all over again.

Condition Strategically: This should be used only on the tip part of the hair and not the scalp since it is involved in secreting oils.

Switch to Cold Water Rinse: The hot water will help in the production of oil so leave a hot rinse to moderate the sebum.

Adjust Your Pillowcase: The oils from your scalp can transfer to your pillow case so the more frequently you change your pillow case the less likely you are to wake up with oily hair.

Be Mindful of Accessories: Clothes like hats, headbands and scarves hold oils and sweat which causes hair to look oily faster.

Final Thoughts

Did you ever wake up in the morning wondering, why does my hair get greasy so fast ? Take some consolation that you are not alone. In this article, you have learnt how to take care of greasy hair depending on grooming techniques, hair products and a healthy way of living. In fact, if you manage to identify the factors that can cause the hair to become oily so quickly, you will be able to manipulate your schedule and ensure that your hair will not become oily that fast.

Pay attention to their experience, and the effects of various routines or products in your hair. It isn’t that a certain dress size is healthy for everyone, which means that what works for me may not work for you; it is all about getting that comfortable zone where you feel best and most confident.