How to avoid greasy hair for men?

Having oil in your hair and scalp is absolutely a natural process that keeps your hair healthy and prevents it from drying out. However, when this oil — which is also known as sebum — builds up over time in your scalp, it will make your hair look greasy and dirty. (Mate, we know it is infuriating!)

Sebum is actually slightly sticky, which is why it causes hair fibers to clump and stick to each other, instead of moving as individual fibers.

Well, having greasy hair definitely ruins the day and sometimes can be a source of frustration for numerous men. This excess oil is caused by various reasons which can be relevant to your lifestyle, hair care routine, diet, or even hereditary problems.

Some men naturally produce more sebum than others do, that is why their hair appears greasier than others. Other factors such as styling products, pollution, and dust, may also build up on the hair making it greasy as well. Aside from these factors, diet can also affect sebum production.

If you are also experiencing this condition, don’t worry, we got you! Just keep on reading so you can learn how to avoid this greasy hair dilemma.

Tips to Avoid Greasy Hair

While controlling the activity of your sebaceous glands (the glands that produce sebum) is quite tricky, there are still some certain methods that we recommend so that you can manage your greasy hair situation.

Overwashing is the most common cause of greasy hair. You may actually think that when you are suffering from oily hair, it is only natural to regularly wash it every day. Well mate, that is a myth. In fact, washing your hair daily causes more oil production; making it look greasier.

We recommend washing your hair only 2-3 times a week. Using shampoos that contain menthol and tea tree oil are great products too when you are suffering from greasy hair as it helps reduce oil. These types of shampoo deeply cleanse the hair and scalp, and it also removes impurities and dirt. In terms of hair conditioner, we advise you to just apply a small amount of it and opt for a light-weight hair product.

Brushing your hair is incredibly helpful, however, when excessive, it makes your sebaceous glands “more active”. Hair brushing stimulates the oil glands to produce more oil. Thus, it is vital to keep in mind to brush your hair only when needed.

For men that have longer locks, we recommend gently combing only the ends and avoiding the scalp as much as possible. Plus, brushing your hair distributes the oils down your strands, hence, this habit is actually fine, but remind yourself not to do it too frequently.

When you are stressed, your body releases a hormone known as cortisol. When the cortisol levels increase, it may cause the sebaceous glands to be stressed as well; causing them to be in overactive mode — producing and releasing more sebum, which causes greasier hair.

With that, try to balance your heavy load of stress by trying different coping mechanisms that work for you to manage it. May it be taking a 15-minute walk or a quick jog outside, hitting the gym, reading a book, hanging out with your mates, or even listening to your favorite music. Reducing stress matters if you don’t want your hair looking greasy and too slick.

Relevant to lessening your stress levels, improving your general lifestyle is truly vital if you want to avoid having that greasy hair. Your hair reflects your total health. Therefore, eating unhealthy food and the lack of exercise may contribute to the production of oil in your scalp.

In terms of dietary intake, it is best to eat essential fatty acids. These are key components to tame those excessive sebum production on your scalp and manage those oily strands. Eat fatty fish, nuts, unrefined wholegrains, and seeds. You may also include food with zinc, vitamins B, and E to your diet and drink plenty of water.

Aside from that, enhancing your daily habits such as doing physical exercises, calming your mind through meditation, and having a complete amount of sleep add up to avoiding greasy hair. Keep in mind that when you are healthy, your hair and your scalp are also healthy.

As you try these tips, it is also significant to think about the causes of this condition for you. It will be great if you identify if having oily hair runs in your family, as this factor also contributes to you experiencing the same condition.

Moreover, if you notice that your scalp is having some inflammation or flaking, or if the condition does not improve, consult with a dermatologist to have a prescription for it.

For further advice on hair and scalp care, our expert barbers at Get Groomed are pleased to assist with your questions. You may also check our top-notch services that we offer. Contact Us or Book with Us for your next barber’s appointment only here at Get Groomed.