Causes of Greasy Hair
The natural hair type of a person is determined by the amount of sebum secreted by the glands that lie at the roots of the hair beneath the scalp. The finer your hair is, the greater the number of sebaceous glands per square inch of your scalp, and consequently the higher the chances of your hair being oily. Sometimes, sudden hormonal changes occurring in the body due to the onset of puberty or during pregnancy may also stimulate excessive production of sebum and cause your hair to become greasy. The condition is worsened by a hot and humid weather, especially if you do not take care to keep off dust, dirt and sweat from your hair and scalp.
Home Remedies for Preventing Greasy Hair
The most effective and important means of preventing hair from looking greasy is to follow a regular shampooing and conditioning regime. However, you should not overdo it, as this might cause your scalp to become dry and your hair dull. An effective way of getting rid of greasy hair is to mix some sodium bicarbonate in your normal shampoo and use this to wash your hair. You should let this solution soak in your hair for 5 minutes before rinsing it away with water. You may also use a little aloe vera juice or the juice of a fresh lime after shampooing your hair and before the final water rinse. This will make your hair look shiny without making it greasy.
If you have long hair, you should comb it very gently, so that the sebum does not spread down to the tips of your hair too quickly and consequently make it look limp and greasy. You should also comb your hair in the direction opposite to that of its natural growth, as this prevents the sebum from spreading across the hair shaft too fast. You may also add the juice of two lemons or two tablespoons of vinegar in four cups of distilled water and rinse your hair with this solution in order to make it look less greasy. Alternatively, you could also use a mixture of equal portions of apple cider vinegar and water to rinse your hair after shampooing. This absorbs the excess sebum from the scalp and gives your hair a natural bounce. For another remedy, mix some mouthwash and witch hazel in equal quantities and use this to rinse your hair every time you wash it. This works as a natural astringent and antiseptic and prevents your hair from becoming too oily.