Greasy hair is a hair type which is characterized as developing a flat, lanky, oily, and stringy appearance. This particular hair type is very difficult to manage, as the hair strands tend to easily clump together, making it equally difficult to maintain a hair style effectively.
Greasy hair is commonly associated with an excessive production of sebum, a substance of a waxy kind which naturally occurs within the body, and is produced for the purpose of keeping the suppleness, softness and waterproof properties of the hair maintained. Sebum is only manufactured by the body's sebaceous glands. The greasy feeling experienced with hair of the same type is in close relation to the scalp's present oil content.
Because fine textures are normally in association with higher hair volumes, there are consequently more sebaceous glands, leading to an increased potential for a surplus in oil production. Changes in hormonal makeup are also usually associated with the condition of greasy hair or skin and scalp tissues; this tendency however is more likely to be experienced during an individual's puberty rather than during menopause. Greasy hair has a tendency to be limp, clinging onto itself and on the scalp; to appear flat and lacking in volume, since greasy hair tends to cling close to the scalp; to give difficulty in management, since holding a style with such a hair type can prove to be difficult; greasy hair also incurs a quick gain in sebum, leading to immediate greasiness even after a shampoo.
Greasy hair can get dirty quite easily when compared to other hair types, since dust particles can easily cling onto the strands because of the excess build up in surface oil. Although sebum as produced by the scalp is naturally exuded through the pores, it gives the greasy feeling to hair because of the constant contact of the strands to the scalp. Even a gesture as simple as letting the fingers pass through the hair can speed up the diffusion of the grease to other areas. Sebum is beneficial, and even necessary in order to serve as the hair's natural conditioner, but excess production of the substance is the one primary cause of the conditions associated with greasy hair.
Greasy hair is also associated with the symptoms of skin problems, such as facial acne, and also pimples on the scalp. Greasy hair is usually classified into two types: the first involves greasy hair running from the roots of the strands, and all the way to the ends, accompanied by a greasy or an oily scalp; the second involves a greasy scalp and hair root, and accompanied by dry hair, starting from underneath the roots of the strands, and running all the way to the ends.
There are several common causes of greasy hair. One is a genetically-oriented predisposition to a greasy and oily scalp which develops early on and into the hair itself. Another cause involves a normal hair type without a prior genetic tendency to greasiness, but the strands and scalp are constantly being treated with products for hair care, causing a cumulative effect of a greasy scalp, either with or without hair strands which are greasy.
Yet another common cause of greasy hair is an insufficient, irregular, and inconsistent hair cleansing treatment, leading to toxin build-up, as well as an accumulation of dirt and other foreign substances; these exacerbate and contribute to the greasiness. These causes are not definitive; some people may experience a condition of greasy hair which does not fall in or qualify in the mentioned categories. One thing is for sure though, regardless of the presence or absence of an inborn tendency to greasy hair, improper use of products for hair care, and incorrect hair treatments and methods may increase the chances, or add to the problem of greasy hair strands.
Also, an improper hygiene such as not washing the hair on a regular basis, may also cause greasiness, due to the eventual accumulation of oil on the scalp. Even hair types which have a tendency towards dryness can develop very oily or greasy roots due to irregular washing.
Undoubtedly, the best way to manage greasy hair is through proper hygiene, particularly through regular shampooing. The sebaceous glands which are responsible for oil secretion usually perform their function overnight, and hair experts are at a consensus that the best way to manage greasy hair is through washing it each morning with the use of an oil control product specifically made for hair care. Usually, shampoo products which carry the terms ‘clarify' and ‘oil-reducing' on the label are best-suited for the purpose.
There are some experts who believe that daily hair washing will have a disadvantageous effect on the scalp, as the sebaceous glands are allegedly over-stimulated, thereby encouraging the secretion of more grease, and starting a continuous and vicious cycle, wherein the increased frequency of hair washing will lead to an oilier hair condition. Since hair conditions are essentially varying upon the individual, experimenting through shampoos of varying intervals in order to find the perfect conditions in treating greasy hair can aid in breaking the cycle of greasiness. Greasy hair requires a special shampoo formulation concocted just for the purpose.
In application of grease-cutting shampoo on the greasy hair strands, the individual should focus the application only on the areas which are greasy; either on the scalp or the hair strands. If both areas have excessive oil content, then applications on both of them are necessary. If the grease is concentrated only on the scalp area, the grease-cutting formulation should be applied only to that area, and a different shampoo product should be used for the hair strands.
Shampoos which are especially formulated for greasy hair have a usual side effect of drying out in the middle area, and on the end areas. This happens because in the shampoo's attempt at managing the oily roots, the potency of the product in removing excess oil tends to overlap on and into the remaining areas of the hair, thereby eliminating precious oils in the process.
In complement to shampoos, conditioners complete the maintenance treatment for greasy hair. In order to understand the importance of conditioners in greasy hair care, the basic structure of the hair strand should first be discussed in brief. Hair is basically composed of protein substances known as keratin. Keratin inherently has a high level of specific amino acids which have their negative charges stuck out. On the other hand, most types of hair conditioner have a numerous amount of positive-charge molecules, also known as cationic surfactants.
These positive-charge surfactants contained in hair conditioners are consequently attracted to negative charges on the hair. As a result, conditioners are not rinsed out completely with water. As soon as the hair dries, a thin film coats over it, thereby adding weight and volume, and making the hair strands easier to manage and comb; static electricity is also prevented from build up, avoiding the consequence of frizzing the hair. Hair conditioners are available in different varieties. Pack conditioners are basically heavy or creamy when it comes to consistency.
These contain a high level of fatty surfactants; they are commonly used when the hair incurs damage. Conditioners of this type are left on the hair for long periods of time, eventually gluing the split ends or stripped scales back into place. Leave-on conditioners are essentially lightweight, and may contain oily surfactants of a significantly lighter weight, consequently putting on lesser weight on the hair. Ordinary conditioners balance out the benefits between the previous two types.
Hold conditioners are also available; these have the purpose of providing the benefits of a conditioner, coupled with convenience of holding a style in place, similar to a hair mousse. Although hair conditioners are basically cationic, they contain some ingredients with an opposite charge. These are more useful in making shampoo-conditioner combinations; they have the cleaning properties of a shampoo, and the manageability as provided by conditioners.
Greasy hair is a relatively ubiquitous condition. Most people have experienced having greasy hair and scalp at one point of their life or another. The need to address this hair dilemma is obvious. As a result, cosmetic companies have put out numerous product lines which are made solely for the treatment of greasy hair. These hair care products contain ingredients which are naturally and easily obtainable in home remedies, like milk, lemon and sugar cane extract, lemongrass, cinnamon, and rosemary and other various essential oils.
Although choosing from such a wide array of products can be sometimes frustrating, the benefits of the trial-and-error method will bring the consumer eventual benefit. Apart from stressing that the consumer reads the label and understands the ingredients of any product which is considered for use, there is no other advice offered concerning brand selection; the consumer is on his or her own with this part. Advice concerning hair shampoo applications is otherwise deemed necessary. While hair conditions vary with the individual, it may do some good if the user tries out the following tips.
Most greasy hair types need to be constantly kept clean, usually by regular washing with initial use of a mild shampoo, and a conditioner which is oil-free. If the user is reluctant with the thought of using a full strength shampoo, diluted formulas and herbal formulations which contain natural ingredients are recommended. Also, there is no concrete proof that constant hair washing has an exacerbating effect on the greasiness of the hair, but the individual is encouraged to find out if this is applicable to his or her particular case.
Shampooing should be gentle; pat the shampoo on the scalp area using the pads of the fingertips, and refrain from scratching the scalp while shampooing, even if it is itching. When rinsing, see to it that no suds are left as residue after the wash.