Greasy Hair

Updated on November 26, 2013
A.H. asks from Rock Island, IL
12 answers

While pregnant(2years ago) my hair started to get really greasy at the crown of my head. I thought it may have been from the progesterone shots I was doing. It finally went away until about a month after my son was born. I searched all over online and tried numerous things. I started using Dove shampoo and conditioner and it went away. But, now it's back. I don't know what it's from and what's causing it. It's gross because it looks like I don't wash my hair. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to you and what you did for it.

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Featured Answers

A.H.

answers from Louisville on

I have very oily hair, since a teen. I basically have to wash it every day, but on the next day, where it's limp and I don't have time to wash it, I use a dry shampoo. My sister, a hairstylist, gave me an awesome dry shampoo product called KMS Hair Play. It's dry shampoo, and on the bottle it says "makeover spray". I. Love. It. I have tried many others, and this one beats every one. It has a great scent and makes my hair feel smooth, compared to all the others, where it made my hair hard to brush. And I have long hair. Definitely try this one, I swear you'll like this awesome product!!!

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Hormones fluctuate all the time and it will have an effect on your hair.
I had greasy hair all my life - had to wash it every day.
There was a theory that washing it too much stimulated more oil production so washing it less should help - it didn't work - I was the answer to the oil crisis.
Now that I'm menopausal - FINALLY the oil has quit!
Except now my scalp is too dry and I have to use a shampoo/conditioner for dry scalp.
Try using a paste of baking soda and water.
Rub it into your hair and scalp before you wash it.
A few times a week is usually enough to slow the oil down but doing it every day would be too drying.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from St. Louis on

It is hormones and you might be wise to have that checked out to be sure things aren't way off. One thing that will help is to shampoo everyday and do not use conditioner on the roots, only on the ends of your hair. If you want to really fix this up and get a very inexpensive solution, take a pour bottle and dilute 1/3 cup of white vinegar with water and after you wash and condition, take the diluted vinegar and rinse this through your hair and then rinse again with the water from the shower. This does a few things....it really cleans and purifies the scalp and hair shaft naturally without damaging and stripping the hair itself. Vinegar is acidic and returns the scalp to its normal acidic condition. This calms down oil production and and also kills bacteria and fungus that thrive on the oil we produce from the scalp. It is a best kept secret that a lot of celebrities and stylists use to gain exceptional shine, body, and strength to the hair. Don't worry about the smell.....it wears off in minutes afterward or if you blowdry, it evaporates instantly and leaves whatever scent your shampoo or conditioner was. Also...don't use product at the roots. That's one more thing to goop up and gunk up an already oily scalp. If you have to use products, keep them at least a full inch from your roots. These tips were given to me by one of my best friends who is a Master Stylist and Colorist at Aveda Salon. I trust her 100% and her advice is always spot-on. Give this a try. She told me that everybody, no matter what their hair is like, should be doing a vinegar and water rinse at least once per week. I do it....and I must say that I do have gorgeous hair and no greasies. Good luck and I hope you give it a try.

2 moms found this helpful
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F.B.

answers from New York on

I don't know if you would tolerate this approach, but some low maintenance people use no product at all. It takes about 3 weeks. Your hair will end up cleaning itself with its own oils if you brush it through well with a boar bristle brush.

Best,
F. B.

S.M.

answers from Columbus on

My hair changed quite a bit during my first pregnancy, and never went back to the way it used to be. This sounds like backwards logic, but what if you tried washing it every other day, and using dry shampoo on the off days? Our scalps produce more oil when we wash our hair more often, so maybe washing less would sort of trick your skin into producing less oil? Either way I love dry shampoo for when I'm very busy. Good luck!

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had to start buying a shampoo made for oily hair.
Then don't used too much of it.
Be sure you rinse it very well in the shower to get all of the shampoo out.
Then every 2 days I use an anti-residue shampoo like Neutragena to kind
of "strip" the hair of the collective shampoo residue build up left behind.
I finish my showers w/a shock of cold water on my hair to help the hair
shafts.

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Occasionally my hair will get like that. I have oily skin anyhow, so my solution is to actually wash my hair every other day (which I know is counter-intuitive) and use dry shampoo as needed. It's sort of like hairspray, except that it absorbs any excess oil, and gives your hair some "oomph."

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E.J.

answers from State College on

Washing every other day.

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter had really greasy hair when she was 9-10. Even though I shampooed it myself, it was always greasy. I started using dandruff shampoo on it, and it worked well.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

You might also want to try washing your hair every other day for a little while to get your head to understand "No, I don't need more oil!". I've also gone to not conditioning my whole head. I start about my ears. That seems to help. I also use Dove and there are a lot of different versions of Dove. Try a less moisturizing shampoo.

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K.D.

answers from Jacksonville on

Limabean is right-the more you wash it the more oily it will get. The suds in shampoo strip all the moisture from your hair (hence the need for conditioner) and your scalp works to make more. If you can skip washing on the weekends or something it'll help. I've ALWAYS had to was everyday until a few months ago. I started using Wen and because it doesn't suds and strip your hair, I can now wash everyday. I'm even skipping 2 days on the weekend (if I don't need to be seen in public). Also if you're blond, you can use baby powder on your roots to soak up excess oil.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

Try a clarifying shampoo and go light on the conditioner on your scalp (fine to use on the rest of your hair). Neutrogena has a good one called Anti-residue. You can try some t-gel but that will suck out all of the moisture. So use sparingly.

Also, try dry shampoo - it has powder in it that absorbs the grease.

If I need to run out in the morning before I shower I sprinkle baby powder/corn starch on my roots and let it sit for a few minutes and then I brush it out. It won't work if you have very dark hair. It make my blonde hair look super light.

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