Greasy hair is very common but can be frustrating and leave you constantly reaching for dry shampoo to disguise it. However, how can you actually prevent it in the first place?

The sebaceous glands in your scalp produce an oily substance called sebum, which helps to keep your hair shiny. When it produces too much of this substance, it can cause the hair to look slick and greasy – not the best look.

While some people do have naturally oily hair, there are ways you can avoid it getting greasy. Here are some of our top tips.

Don’t wash your hair every day

A frequent misconception is that to get rid of greasy hair you need to wash your hair more frequently. Although, this isn’t necessarily the case.

It can be easy to get into a daily hair washing routine to keep it feeling fresh but once you are in this cycle it means your hair will be very prone to grease if you miss a day. This is because your glands overreact and produce more oil to compensate for all the shampooing.

It goes without saying that you should also make sure you are washing your hair enough. As a general rule, we recommend washing it 2-3 times per week. However, some hair types and lifestyle factors may require more frequent washing than this.

Choose the right shampoo and conditioner

You should also ensure you are using the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. The best shampoo for greasy hair is one that is clarifying and will gently cleanse the scalp without adding any extra moisture.

We love Aveda’s Scalp Benefits™ Balancing Shampoo which cleans hair down to the root and removes excess sebum and buildup – the perfect solution for grease-prone hair! This can then be followed up with Aveda’s Scalp Benefits™ Balancing Conditioner. 

Don’t forget to use your shampoo and conditioner sparingly because slathering on too much is only going to cause your scalp to produce more oil. For fine hair, it’s recommended to use a cherry tomato size amount. If you have thicker hair, go for a walnut size amount.

Stop touching your hair

While it can be tempting to touch your hair throughout the day, this can cause it to become greasy. You may have oil residue or dirt on your hands which will then be transferred onto your hair.

Constantly touching your hair can also encourage more oil production. So, it’s best to avoid this or wash your hands before touching your hair.

Review your styling products

When it comes to styling, it’s important to choose your products wisely. You’ll want to avoid using any that will add extra oil to your hair such as products designed to add shine, moisture or fight frizz.

Instead, you should go for lightweight products such as foams and mousses. You can also use a dry shampoo such as Aveda’s Shampure™ Dry Shampoo to keep hair feeling fresh between washes. Make sure not to overdo it though!

Avoid using too much heat 

If you’re a hair straightener junkie, unfortunately, this can also encourage the hair to become greasy. Since it causes the hair to become dry, your scalp will produce more oil in response.

Straightened hair also lies closer to the scalp and comes into contact with more oil which makes it appear more greasy.

Alternatively, embrace your natural hair more often and go for a curly or wavy style that will be less likely to get oily.

Strand & Lock

At Strand & Lock, we are a group of hairdressers that want to break the mould. We harness the power of nature and London’s best stylists to give you great hair.

We are proud to only use naturally derived Aveda hair colour and styling products that harness the power of plants and botanicals to improve the condition of your hair.

We are currently closed due to the lockdown but in the meantime, you can still treat a loved one to one of our gift vouchers.