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Having greasy hair can be the bane of any guy's existence. Even if you have the most advanced haircut in the history of the universe, it can ruin your entire vibe in an instant. In fact, according to research by Head & Shoulders, those with greasy locks produce five times more oil compared to a typical adult. That's about one gram. Every. Single. Day.
From the genetics that you're born with to your stress levels, there are a lot of reasons why you can get greasy hair. But, equally, there are also a lot of ways that you can deal with it. Which is why big-time London barber TJ Hunt of Ruffians is here to share six tips on how to get rid of it for good.
How to get rid of greasy hair
#1: Start from the bottom
The term “greasy hair” is a little inaccurate. Because, believe it or not, it's actually the scalp that creates the oiliness. Basically, each follicle of hair has its own oil gland at the scalp which produces something called sebum. You need a little bit of this stuff, but you gotta keep it under control. It may sound a little obvious, but those with finer hair tend to suffer the most as each strand takes up less scalp real estate. This means you'll have more hair, which means more oil glands, which means more sebum.
“When you wash your hair, don’t be shy, get a bit rough when massaging your shampoo in,” says Hunt. “Make sure your digits are rigid and really work away with the lather, going side-to-side, back and forth, and going all over the head. It’ll dislodge any dandruff and debris blocking the glands and that might cause them to go into overdrive. Take your time too, many people are over keen to get the suds out of their bonnet, shampoo should be worked in for around a minute before rinsing.”
#2: Get the right shampoo
Now that you know how to really wash your scalp, let's talk shampoo. With so many different options out there that are aimed at every hair type and every follicular issue, buying the right one and get very confusing and very overwhelming. Basically, you should avoid anything with words like “moisturising,” “smoothing,” or “shine” in the title and anything specifically aimed at dry or damaged tresses. These will add an unpleasant film to the hair, which means extra grease and weight.
“Go for a clarifying shampoo, if possible one that is formulated mainly of natural ingredients,” says Hunt. “Scrub shampoos are a relative newcomer to the crowded marketplace, but they actually do deserve a spot on your bathroom shelf. Similar to a face scrub, tiny particles clear the scalp more effectively than smooth counterparts.”
#3: Be careful with conditioner
Hair experts have been pushing the use of conditioners for many, many years, but you might need to rethink the way that you're using it. If you've got dry, damaged, or coloured hair, you can definitely benefit from an extended period with your strands coated in the creamy stuff before rinsing. However, this isn't the case when trying to deal with greasy hair.
“Instead of massaging deep into the hair as you would with shampoo, try to apply the conditioner to the ends of the hair only, rubbing between your thumbs and forefingers,” says Hunt. “Be sure to rinse off after no more than a minute. This way you’ll reap the rewards on your hair whilst avoiding the extra oil on your scalp.”
#4: The more, the merrier
There’s a myth that has been going around for millenia stating that if you never wash your hair, your scalp will automatically adapt and regulate its oil production, leaving you with a naturally lustrous, pH balanced barnet that requires absolutely no maintenance whatsoever. Well, there's a reason why it's just a myth.
“Look, I’m no scientist, but I’ve had to deal with a fair few gnarly heads of hair in my time where clients have attempted to get to this point,” says Hunt. “In truth, I’ve yet to ever actually see anyone who has reached this no-clean Nirvana. Sure, some people wash their hair too much (like, every time they shower) but if your hair has a tendency to get oily quickly, then you should be washing it every other day, and always after exercise or excessive sweating.”
#5: Switch it up
You might be one of those dudes who loves your hair to have a polished, high sheen finish. We get it. After all, it has worked a charm for Leo DiCaprio for many, many years, and who are we to argue with the cast of Mad Men and The Sopranos? But there is a significant downside if you’re trying to battle the grease.
“Products such as gels and pomades can make your hair look and feel oilier,” says Hunt. “Therefore, it may well be worth switching up to a matte product such as a paste, hair powder, or even a salt spray. These tend to leave a drier, more natural finish.”
#6: Don't play around
If you’re one of those guys who is continuously running your fingers through your hair or brushing your fringe off your face throughout the day, then you need to stop. We get it, sometimes it can get annoying and (quite literally) in-your-face, but it's contributing to your greasy hair in a big way.
“Every time you do this, you’re taking product from the hair and re-distributing it onto your poor noggin, causing more sebum production in the process,” says Hunt. “Instead, sit on your hands, bring back the fidget spinner, get a stress ball, take up yo-yo-ing, and do whatever you need to do to ensure that your mitts stay out of your thatch.”
