You just washed your hair, and it’s already feeling like it needs a good wash again. When your hair becomes greasy a day or so after washing it, you probably have what is referred to as oily hair. Oily hair is caused by excessive oil production. Hormonal changes, stress, poor hair care, eating an excess amount of foods that are oily, or even your family’s genes may be the culprit for your oily hair. Regardless of the reason, you want to look your best and nothing is better than natural treatments for oily hair. Oil does serve a purpose of protecting your hair shafts from breaking, maintaining a healthy scalp and giving your hair a nice, healthy looking sheen. Sometimes, however, the oil is out of control. To stop the extra oil, you need to start with a clean scalp. However, cleaning your scalp by shampooing become an issue with the phosphates and chemicals that shampoos contain.
Most shampoos contain all kinds of additives and conditioners. People with oily hair need a solvent type of shampoo that will cut the grease without the harsh ingredients in most shampoos. Normal hair needs to remain at a pH between 4.5 to 6.7. Oily hair requires more alkaline, base, products with a pH of 6.7 or higher, or as opposite as it may sound, an acidic rinse decreases the oil.
Some easy steps to start with are to remember to rinse thoroughly to avoid soap residue that will build up on your scalp and actually attract more oil and dirt. Ditch the conditioners that coat your hair. Just apply a small amount of conditioner to your ends. Don’t brush your hair too much since combing and brushing pulls oil out of the scalp and distributes it throughout the rest of the hair.
Some natural treatments for oily hair to alleviate the excess of grease
Natural treatments for oily hair made with Aloe Vera
The aloe plant holds a host of healing properties. You may be aware of how well it works on burns. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are helpful in getting rid of oily hair. This cactus-like plant also helps detox your scalp from impurities while controlling oil secretion and nourishing your roots. An added benefit of aloe is the overall healthy feel it will give your hair. Mix one teaspoon of aloe Vera gel with one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of mild shampoo. Wash your hair and keep the shampoo mixture on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing.
Lemon Juice: Natural remedy for oily hair
Lemons serve a lot of great uses in natural remedies and even household cleaning. These small yellow citrus fruits also promote healthy hair by delivering vitamins and minerals. The acidic properties in lemons help to balance the scalp’s pH level which, in turn, will help control oil secretion. Lemons are useful in alleviating scalp and hair problems. Juice two lemons into two cups of water. Apply the mixture to your scalp, and massage into your hair. Leave it on for five minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Use of Tomatoes to alleviate excess oils in the hair
Tomatoes are another acidic food that helps alleviate excess oils in the hair by balancing the pH level in the scalp. These red, round produce items also help reduce bad smells on the hair. Juice one ripe tomato with one teaspoon of fuller’s earth, a clay material that has the capability to decolorize oil without chemical treatment, and apply to hair and scalp. Cover your head and hair with a shower cap for a deep treatment of a half hour before washing it off with cold water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another great source of acetic acid that helps balance your scalp’s pH level. Once the pH level in the scalp is balanced, the excess of oil secretion will be easier to control. The apple cider vinegar reduces oil build up on your hair and has an added benefit of serving as a powerful hair tonic that delivers soft and shiny hair. Simply mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. When you have finished washing your hair with a gentle shampoo, use the apple cider vinegar solution to rinse. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash it out with cold water.
Honey and Banana for oily hair
Create a conditioner using bananas and honey to nourish your hair and alleviate excess oil. Add a banana to a blender and then add one tablespoon of raw honey. Apply the mixture to your hair starting at the roots and working your way out to the ends of your hair. Leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Black Tea
Save some afternoon tea bags for your hair. The tannic acid in black tea is an astringent that helps to tighten the pores to prevent the build up of excess oils on the scalp. Add one or two tablespoons of black tea leaves to a cup of water, and boil it for 10 minutes. But, don’t drink it this time. Strain the tea leaves and allow it to cool to room temperature before pouring it on your scalp and hair. Let it sit for about five minutes, and then rinse it off before washing our hair with a gentle shampoo.
Beer or vodka
Any kind of alcoholic beverage will create a drying effect. The higher the alcohol content, the better. Mix a shot glass with a couple cups of water, and pour it over your hair. Beer also has a drying effect and cleans thoroughly to the scalp while leaving behind a healthy shine. Rinse thoroughly after use.
Eggs
Egg whites combat grease and oil in your hair while the yolk packs a powerful punch of protein for hair strengthening. Combined, the whole egg serves as an amazing conditioner. Separate the egg, and whisk the egg white. Apply it to damp hair and leave on for about 20 minutes. Rinse, and wash your hair with gentle shampoo. For strong, healthy conditioned hair, beat two egg yolks with two tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your damp hair, and leave on for five minutes before washing with a mild shampoo.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is good for far more than making cookies or baking bread. This oil-absorbent powder contains the alkaline needed to balance pH levels in the scalp. Not only will it help with the oily hair, but it will also reduce odors. It can be used as a paste or dry. When you don’t have time to shampoo, use baking soda as a dry shampoo by rubbing it through your hair and brushing well. Mix one part baking soda with three parts water to form a paste. Apply the paste to your damp hair, and leave it in for a few minutes. Wash with warm water.