Oily hair, otherwise known as greasy hair, can be an absolute nightmare! You wash your hair, it looks really nice and clean, and then a couple of hours later it is oily and dull looking. How can that possibly happen?
The Causes of Oily Hair
Often, oily hair is a common complaint amongst people who have acne. This is due to the amount of excessive sebum. The problem is not actually with the hair itself, but with the scalp. The hair simply takes the oil away from the scalp.
It is more common for people with straight hair to have oily hair, than for people who have curly hair to have it. This is because it takes curly hair longer time to get the oil away from the scalp, than it does with straight hair.
The main cause of oily hair is down to the androgen, or male hormones within the body. They are responsible for the production of oil and the higher the androgen levels, the more oil they produce. Often we have more androgen levels during puberty, or males who are taking steroid enhancing drugs will also have higher levels of the hormone.
Other causes may include the time of year, and the overall temperature. If it is hot and sticky outside, then we are more likely to sweat and therefore our hair can get really oily. Over washing can also be a big problem for people who suffer from oily hair.
This is because our scalps naturally produce moisture to protect the scalp, but when we over wash our hair, it can wash away the natural moisture and the scalp will think that it needs more, hence you will end up with too much moisture in the hair, leaving it oily and dull.
Treatment Available
The treatment which you use for oily hair will vary depending upon the severity of it. There are hair products especially designed for oily hair which are not as moisturized as some other products. You should also avoid over brushing your hair, and cleaning your hair brush every now and again is a great idea.
Although over washing your hair can often cause it to become more oily, it is said that the hair should be washed more frequently than if it were dry. This is to make sure that the scalp is cleansed. If you do decide to wash your hair daily, make sure you are using a mild shampoo.
Also, oil can build up on your pillow case so always make sure that you wash your bedding frequently otherwise the oil will easily transfer to your hair and make it oily. Some women also find that the contraceptive pill can help with oily hair.
Strangely enough if you do not treat your oily hair, you could end up with acne on your chest, face and back as if you touch your hair, you will be touching the oil, which you will then spread onto other parts of your body, causing the skin to become oily too. Also, leaving the hair oily often causes more damage to the hair and it can lead to potential problems such as dandruff.
It is thought that the best shampoo available to treat oily hair contains lemon. There are various recipes you can find online which show you how to make your own hair care products. These are often better at treating any hair condition as you know exactly what is going into them, and they are completely natural so they are less likely to damage the hair.
Overall, oily hair can be a pain and it can be hard to get rid of but there are shampoos out there to help you. You could also speak to your doctor about other alternatives such as the contraceptive pill if you are a woman.

- Mash one banana with a fork; add 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of wheat seedlings. Mix the ingredients to obtain a uniform mass. Apply at clean, damp hair and leave for 20 minutes. It is better to wear rubber hat and wrap up your head with a bath towel. – Take 1 banana and make a banana pulp, add 2 tablespoons of oat flour and 1 tablespoon of burdock oil. Apply the derived mixture at your hair, wear plastic hat and wrap up your head with a bath towel for 30-40 minutes. Wash the mask off with shampoo. – Mash one ripe banana with a fork, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply the mixture at damp hair from roots to tips. Massage your head skin. Wear rubber hat and wrap up your head with a bath towel. Leave it for 30 minutes. Wash your hair off with warm water before using shampoo and conditioner. – Take 1 ripe banana, a half of a ripe mango, 2 tablespoons of yogurt or kefir, 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of liquid honey. Mix all ingredients carefully. Apply the mask at your hair avoiding the roots if you have oily hair, and covering the tips. Leave for 30 minutes, and then wash your hair properly.