We pay a lot of attention to the face. If your a woman, it’s this cream or that lotion – a specific foundation or the perfect concealer. On the flip slide for men we have our favorite face wash or a particular shaving cream we tend to use. In the same way we pay attention to our skin, we need to care for our hair, and over the years we’ve probably become set in out ways.
So what do you do when oily hair strikes? There is a lot of info out there, but what works and what is myth? There are various steps that you need to follow to keep oily hair at bay and maintain a healthy sheen to your hair.
Myth: To get rid of the excessive oily hair you can massage you hair with a mixture of white vinegar and water.
Truth: Vinegar is actually a mild bleach, not only will this strip color from your hair, but it will also strip important essential oils from the hair, leaving it overly dry and vulnerable. Vinegar can also irritate the scalp and actually cause it to produce more oil.
Myth: Shampooing you hair everyday will lessen the secretion of oil on your scalp.
Truth: You should only shampoo every day if you have short or fine hair and produce too much oil in a day for you hair to support. Shampooing too often is hard on your scalp as it may lead to dryness thus causing hair damage and the increased production of oil.
Myth: Do not use hair products like gels, sprays, creams and mousses. They make the hair oily and create excessive build up on the hair.
Truth: A good hair product used in the right proportions will give you style for the day a dissipate in the evening, allowing you to restyle your hair the next day without excessive build up. Use your hair stylist as a tool in choosing the appropriate products for you hair type.
Myth: Limit the use of conditioner on your hair if you have oily hair. Conditioners are best suited for dry hair.
Conditioner is an important part of your daily routines, especially with medium length to long hair, however, all conditioners are not created equally. Good conditioners revitalize the hair without leaving buildup or coating the hair shaft. The important thing to remember is to thoroughly rinse the hair after conditioning – this takes away the conditioning medium, leaving behind only the good stuff.
A couple tips:
- Depending on your hair type and length you may need to wash daily, every other day or even every three days. Your hairstylist can help you figure out how often, and which products best support your methods.
- When changing your shampoo routine, give your scalp some time to adjust as well. Within a week it will react to your new routines, adjust the need to replenish your your hair.
- Dry shampoos between washing are a great tool for adjusting to your new schedule. Spray a little on your hairline in the morning, making sure to hold the can six to eight inches from your head. Afterwards, if needed, use your hair dryer to blow out the powdery residue.
- Diet also plays a major role in treating oily hair. If you tend to eat excessive amount of oily foods, the level of oil secretion in your scalp is likely to increase. So it is better you stick to fresh fruits and vegetables to give you scalp the necessary nourishment.
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