The Truth Behind Oily Hair

Greasy ‘hair goals’? Not so much. If you’re one of those folks with oily hair, you’re not alone. Greasy hair can feel unhealthy, unattractive & completely frustrating. Luckily, this guide will give you the opportunity to learn the causes of oily hair, and effective beauty hacks in maintaining balance.

What causes oily hair?

Hair type falls into 3 categories: dry, oily, or a bit of both! Fear not, oil production is actually necessary to keep moisture levels in balance, keeping your hair healthy, strong and smooth. So, what causes overproduction? Well, small glands in the skin called sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum, and overproduction of this can leave both your skin and hair feeling oily.

Beauty hacks

• Keep your scalp clean: This is a common myth that washing your hair less often slows down oil production, but we’re here to challenge that notion. Keeping your scalp clean actually helps prevent grease from building up. It’s important to note that washing your hair every single day may not be the best solution for you. The key here is balance!

• Scalp buildup: Residue from hair products is often confused for oily hair, so we advise to wash thoroughly! This includes build up from styling products such as creams, oils, gels, foams and leave-ins. 

• Don’t touch your hair: This is an obvious one, but seriously, hands off! Your forehead is one of the greasiest areas of your body. Touching your hair often can transfer oil and residue from your hands to your strands.

• The products you use matter: Choose shampoo and conditioner according to your scalp. At Strands, we provide you with a scalp sebum tester to understand what your level is. We then analyze your hair under the microscope to determine the most appropriate formula for your hair type and condition!

• Sebum imbalance: Sebum imbalance could be caused by changes in your body. If you notice that you are suddenly experiencing more or less sebum production, you should bring it up to your doctor as there could be an underlying cause!