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9 Mistakes That are Making Your Hair Look Greasy

Photo credit: George Doyle - Getty Images
Photo credit: George Doyle - Getty Images

From Good Housekeeping

A few tweaks to your routine can give you hair that stays shiny and voluminous-not greasy or weighed down. If you feel like your hair is nonstop oily just a few hours after you wash it, the problem may have to do with the way you're cleansing and styling it - and the answer isn't necessarily to wash more or use tons of dry shampoo. Trust us: good hair days are guaranteed to follow after considering these common mistakes and then solving them with our expert's smart solutions:

1. You're not shampooing enough

"Just as not washing your face can lead to clogged pores, not cleaning your scalp causes unwanted bacteria and clogged hair follicles," says Stephen Thevenot, hairstylist at Eva Scrivo Salon in New York. While the "no 'poo" method sounds ideal, it might be why your strands are getting stringy. "If you don't shampoo at all, it can get greasier," explains Sejal Shah, M.D., a New York-based dermatologic surgeon and RealSelf contributor. "This happens because oil, dead skin cells and debris builds up on the scalp, weighing down the hair." With a healthy scalp, healthy hair will follow.

2. You're shampooing too often

On the other hand, lathering your hair too frequently could also be to blame. "If you are washing too much, the scalp skin is constantly being stripped of oils," says Dr. Shah. "Just like skin in other areas, it will respond by producing more oil to replenish the lost oil." The result: Greasy hair that just never seems to get clean, no matter how hard you try. "Shampoo every two days if you have a healthy scalp," says Thevenot, "and shampoo every day if you have a more fragile scalp prone to thinning, which will help prevent hair follicles from getting clogged, a cause of thinning hair." Jeffrey J. Miller, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, also advises taking your environment into consideration. For example, if you live in a rural area with clean air and low humidity, it's OK to shampoo every few days. But if you're in a city or if you workout frequently, you should cleanse your hair and scalp each day.

3. You're applying conditioner incorrectly

Your hair needs conditioning to keep it moisturized and healthy, but the phrase "too much of a good thing" definitely applies here. "If you have oily hair, you may not need to always condition your hair, but if you do choose to use it, avoid applying conditioner to the roots of hair, as this can cause your hair to look greasy," says Danusia Wnek, GH Beauty Lab chemist. "The scalp produces its own natural oil, so there is no need to add conditioner to your roots," says Thevenot. To keep hair from getting greasy quickly, "focus conditioner on the lower half of strands," Wnek advises.

4. Your showers are too hot

While your shower might be the most soothing moment of your day, you also want it to be productive. A steamy shower may feel heavenly, but "scalp skin can become dry with overexposure to hot water, resulting in dry skin and overproduction of oil to compensate," says Dr. Shah. Rather than pumping up the heat during your shower, stick with a medium-warm temp. In fact, Cruz recommends running cold water through your hair at the end for shine, as it closes the cuticles. Bonus: Less heat during your shower time is actually better for your skin.

5. Your styling products are too heavy

Products like waxes, creams and oils can make your hair greasier too, since they're made with emollients like natural oils. Look for lightweight products and pay close attention to how they make your hair feel - if it's too slick or slippery, steer clear. When it comes to picking out products, "look for options that address your concerns, rather than looking for a certain ingredient," suggests Thevenot.

6. You're straightening your hair too often

Bad news for flat iron lovers: Your straightening habit might be making your hair look oilier than you'd like. "If you straighten your hair, it will lie closer to the scalp, coming into contact with more oil and appearing greasier," explains Dr. Shah.

7. Your hair styling tools are dirty

Just like dirty makeup brushes can make you breakout, using dirty hairstyling tools has repercussions for your scalp. "If your styling tools are dirty, you can transfer oils and dirt to the hair," says. Dr. Shah. Check the directions on your heat tools and brushes for how best to clean them.

8. You're brushing your hair too frequently

A big styling myth is that brushing your hair 100 strokes per day keeps it healthy and gorgeous. In reality, it can actually make it look greasier. "Over-brushing can stimulate more oil production," explains Dr. Shah. Before washing your hair, "make sure the bristle tips are touching your scalp, which helps to lift up dead skin and product residue," advises Thevenot. When hair is damp post-shower, gently detangle strands from the bottom upwards and style as needed.

9. You're relying too much on dry shampoo.

While the magic-like spray can work wonders on second-day hair, that doesn't mean it's healthy to use it for five days straight. "You can use dry shampoo, but make sure that you are regularly washing so that it doesn't build up on the scalp," advises Dr. Shah. If you have overdone it with too much conditioner or leave-in product (like cream and oil), do a little damage control following this trick from Dove hairstylist Mark Townsend: "Spray the dry shampoo on a flat brush first to prevent over-application, then comb carefully down in the specific area or in three-inch sections from roots for larger swaths or all over."

Good Housekeeping's Lab Pick
One tester's review: "It got rid of the greasy look and lifted my hair volume giving it an airy fresh look."




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