How to Control Oily Hair

First and foremost please make sure it is 'only' oily hair you are dealing with and it is not the result of an underlying medical condition, or a hormonal imbalance.

how to control oily hair

Know the signs of Oily Hair:

- Dandruff

- Itchy Scalp

- Hard to Brush

- Build up on scalp

- Tangled and Unruly Hair

- Hair may feel as though it never dries in certain areas

The most common method I have seen to combat oily hair, is the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse.

You are basically going to do just that - But without the retched lingering smell of vinegar.

If you have never rinsed with Apple Cider Vinegar, you know what I'm talking about.

hair in buns

Separate your hair into sections:

4 sections will work just fine.  Doing this will ensure you reach every oily area, especially the crown, which tends to accumulate the most oil.  If you have short hair, this step is (obviously) not necessary, but the method of lemon water, shampooing and conditioning will stay the same.

Mix:

The same lemon to water ratio in a clean spray bottle.

I usually do about 1/2 cup of each, since my hair is very long and very thick.

I also like to ensure there is a bit leftover if I happened to have missed any spots.  If you don't have fresh lemon, artificial lemon juice will work in a quick fix as well.

Water Bottle with Lemon

Spray down each section, ensuring that part is soaked.

If you feel irritation during this step, either discontinue and rinse or you can try diluting the mixture down with a bit more water.

Soak:  Pulling down each section down one by one again, soak the rest of your hair in the mixture (if you wish).  I do this to ensure I am targeting oil everywhere in my hair. Tie sections back up as you go.

timer

Wait:

Leave mixture on for at least 20 minutes.

You may want to throw a towel around your hair or shoulders.

The mixture needs to stay on long enough that it will soak up the oil.

Again, if you feel any irritation, please discontinue and rinse.

cold water tap

Rinse:

Rinse each section of hair separately and thoroughly without scrubbing your scalp.

Use only very cool (or if you can handle it) cold water.  This is really the only part of controlling your oily hair that is hard to get through but it is extremely important.

Heat (and scrubbing) will irritate the oils in your scalp, so you are trying avoid this as much as possible.

Tie the rinsed section back up. and move on to the next.

Shampoo:

You are going to want a clean shampoo with low PH and is free of parabens, silicone etc.

You are looking for a purifying shampoo that is clear, not creamy.

I highly recommend John Frieda Beach Blonde (Review Here).

Again, taking each section down separately and washing.

Very gently shampoo your section and rinse completely with very cool (or cold) water.

Remember...No scrubbing your scalp.

John Frieda Beach Blonde

The goal is to get the oil (and residue) problem completely under control from every area of your hair, which is why we are working in sections.

I recommend doing the sections once or twice when using the lemon juice method.

After that working in 2 sections should be fine, depending on the thickness and length of your hair.

Conditioner:

For this, you can release all the sections of your clean shampooed/rinsed hair.  Apply conditioner to the bottom ends of your hair.  Stay clear away from your scalp, or you will be right back at square one with the oil/residue problem.  Leave conditioner on for 2-5 minutes (or longer, if desired).

The acid in the lemon will have dried out your hair, so you need to put that moisture back in.

Again, when rinsing use only cool or cold water - No scrubbing!

Make sure you have rinsed thoroughly.

Hair Stylist

Drying:

Very gently towel dry your hair (still no scrubbing!).

If you can brush through your hair once and leave to air dry, even better.  If you are in a rush and must use heat from a blow dryer - Use on cool setting, keeping the hair dryer air (and your hair brush) away from your scalp as much as possible.

This may seem like a lot of steps, but it goes by quick.

You are going to feel and see results with the first wash.

Straightening Hair

Styling:

Keeping your hair very low maintenance for the first little while is an important step, brushing as little as possible.  Brushing your hair frequently is another trigger for the oils in your scalp.

If you must straighten your hair: Work in smaller, un-clumped sections, keeping the heat from the straightener away from your scalp.  I start about an inch or so down from my scalp.  It may seem worrisome, but once fully straightened and brushed out I have not noticed any difference from if I had started at the root.

Future Prevention

- Stay away from products containing any oils.  The highly popular Coconut oil as a mask is in fact wonderful...Only if you don't have an oily hair problem.

- It may not seem ideal, but washing your hair every day can cause your oily hair problem to remain with you.  Every 2 days or so is plenty.  It gives your hair and natural oils (which you still need) time to breathe.  When time to wash again, use the clear shampoo with very gentle 'scrubs' on scalp and again, only condition the bottom.

I would not recommend the lemon-water method to be a regular routine every time you wash your hair.  Natural oils are needed for your hair to grow and remain healthy, however an overload of it must be controlled in order to stay healthy and shiny.  Please remember to dilute your mixture with water, as using pure citrus on your hair and scalp can end up doing more damage than good.

This is a personal experience only - all bodies will react differently.

If irritation occurs, please do not continue with use of this method.