How To Get Rid Of Greasy Hair Fast

If, every couple of days, you notice that your locks are looking slicker than JLo's after one of her epic workouts, then you'll know that the struggle of greasy hair is real.

And are if you're constantly asking yourself 'why does my hair get greasy quickly?' Well then, it's likely that you haven't found a solution.

Well, hold that thought, because WH have created the ultimate guide for those who want to nix greasy hair for good. Here, the UK's leading experts' reveal how to keep greasy hair at bay so that it looks and feels cleaner for longer.

It's time to get smart when it comes to freshening your follicles...

Why does my hair get greasy quickly?

1. Your hair is fine

People with naturally fine hair tend to get greasy hair faster than those with other hair textures.

'This is because individuals with fine hair have more hairs per square centimetre - and each hair has a sebaceous (oil) gland attached to it. As a result, the scalp produces more oils,' reveals Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist at Philip Kingsley.

'Those with thinning hair are also more prone to getting greasy hair. This is because there is reduced surface area of hair for the oils produced by the scalp to spread over,' she adds.

2. Environmental factors

Greasy hair is caused by excess sebum - an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands.

'The main components of this are fat and cellular debris. However, this 'grease' will also consist of sweat caused by your at-home workout sessions, dead skin cells and environmental pollution such as dust and dirt,' reveals Kingsley.

Liquid Hairbrush Conditioner

Cashmere Protein UV Protective Conditioner

Aveda Nutriplenish Deep Moisture Conditioner 50ml

Aveda lookfantastic.com

£9.00

KLORANE Conditioner with Mango Butter 200ml

KLORANE lookfantastic.com

£10.00

3. Hormones

Whenever hormone levels change, scalp secretions can change too and that leads to, yep you guessed it, greasy tresses.

'The scalp usually becomes oiler in times of intense stress and also during ovulation. Medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can also cause an overly oily scalp. However, PCOS will almost always be accompanied by other symptoms, such as acne, weight gain, irregular periods and increased growth of facial and body hair. After menopause, sebaceous glands on the scalp tend to produce less sebum' adds Kinglsey.

4. Product build up

The overuse of dry shampoo to remedy greasy hair can also clog follicles and cause your hair to produce more grease.

In fact, 'washing hair too often can dry hair out and cause your follicles to produce even more grease than was there in the first place,' reveals celebrity hairstylist Ben Cooke. Talk about a vicious cycle.

Okay. So, how do you get rid of greasy hair?

1. Wash your hair correctly

Think you've got your hair washing technique down to a T? Guess again…

'You need to ensure the hair is completely saturated with water and only use a teaspoon of shampoo. Spread it across palms and then apply the thin film across the hair. Start to massage into lather across the scalp paying particular attention to the nape and hairline which will tend to be dirtier,' reveals hair stylist Michael Van Clarke

'Use fingers to comb the hair between movements and keep the hair in line. Do not rub ends together, nor use overly circular movements. Massage for at least 30 seconds. Then rinse thoroughly for 30 seconds more. Not enough rinsing can be the culprit for hair getting greasier quicker,' he adds.

2. Rethink your shampoo and conditioner

'Often a comment from people with finer hair is that they can't use conditioners as they are too heavy. However, this is because most conditioners are laced with silicone and it's this that weighs hair down' reveals Van Clarke.

Swap out shampoos and conditioners that use inert silicones and plasticizers as these aren't water-soluble, meaning they build upon the hairshaft and scalp, which can lead to grease and weigh hair down.

Moreover, buying the same shampoo and conditioner for your hair type such as dry or frizzy, is a big no-no.

Why? 'Because many people especially those with longer hair will have different issues at the roots compared to the ends. Therefore, it's better to 'choose shampoo suitable for your scalp and root area and choose a conditioner that will treat mid-lengths and ends' adds Van Clarke.

3. Don't turn up the temperature

'It's tempting to crank up the heat of your water to try to cut through hair grease,' says celebrity hairdresser Richard Ward, 'But just like it stimulates skin and turns it pink, it can stimulate hair follicles to produce more grease.'

Turn the temperature down to tepid and your hair will thank you or, if you can't face it, give it a cold rinse at the end.

4. Find a balance when washing your hair

'Washing your hair keeps the scalp clean and healthy, and in turn this supports hair growth.

Frequent shampooing also removes daily grime and product debris from your hair. If washing your hair more means you are heat-styling more often, you may encounter problems with the condition of your hair. It is about finding a balance. As a general rule, do not leave more than three days between shampoos' reveals Kingsley.

5. Look after your scalp

Taking care of your scalp is half the battle won when it comes to nixing greasy hair. Try a scalp Exfoliating Treatment once a week, as this will help balance out the scalp' advises Van Clarke.

Neil Moodie, Biolage Ambassador and Hair Stylist suggest giving a DIY treatment a go.

'Apple cider vinegar is also a great for restoring the scalp's pH balance which will then control oil production. Dilute 1 part ACV with 8 parts water and pour through your hair. Gently massage in, leave for a few minutes then rinse' he advises.

Aspall Raw Organic Unfiltered Cyder Vinegar 500ml

hollandandbarrett.com

£2.89

6. Clean your hairbrush

Your hairbrush, although vital to your haircare routine, can actually anchor all sorts of nasties such as build-up of styling products and dust which you then deposit back on the hair with every use. This can speed up the time it takes for it to get greasy.

A clogged brush will transfer dirt and grease back onto clean hair, making it feel dirty, so make sure yours is cleaned properly on a regular basis.

Philip Kingsley Stimulating Daily Scalp Toner 75ml

Philip Kingsley lookfantastic.com

£10.00

Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer 150ml

Aveda lookfantastic.com

£35.00

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt 75ml

Christophe Robin lookfantastic.com

£17.00

Scalp & Body Scrub

OUAI Haircare cultbeauty.co.uk

£32.00

7. Use dry shampoo from the get-go

'Apply a small amount of dry shampoo through the hair immediately after blow-drying hair,' advises Michela Pezza, Aveda Master Director at the Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa in Covent Garden.

'Applying the absorbent powder from root to tip from the very first day means that as soon as the scalp begins to produce oil, it can mop it up and prevent grease weighing your blow-dry down.'

For the best dry shampoos, check out our edit.

8. Avoid excess heat on your roots

'While using the hair dryer, rough dry upside down to add volume without applying excessive heat to the roots, which strips hair of oil, tricking the scalp into thinking it needs more and giving oil production a boost,' says Paul Edmonds, celebrity hairstylist.

9. Rinse your hair after working out

Newsflash. Sweat isn't actually oily, it's just water with a bit of salt, which means you don't always have to wash your it after a workout. Instead, if you're a frequent gym-goer, then you can remove the build-up of sweat from around your roots by just using water.

'Regular exercisers can find themselves over washing their hair out of habit, so try just rinsing after a workout' reveals Craig Taylor, Creative Director of Hari's salon.

10. Quit playing with your hair

'Try not to over brush or play with your hair as this has the same reaction. Using dry shampoo helps absorb oils on the hair, be it natural oils or product residue' advises Taylor.

Paddle Brush

ghd cultbeauty.co.uk

£21.95

Flex Dry

WetBrush cultbeauty.co.uk

£13.99

Tangle Teezer The Wet Detangler Hairbrush Millennial Pink

tangle teezer boots.com

£12.00

Denman D3 Medium Classic Styling Brush

Denman lookfantastic.com

£8.00

And how can I style greasy hair?

1. Try a slick up-do

'It might sound obvious but tying hair off your face and putting it into a slick up-do can hide greasy hair and actually hold better than a freshly washed do,' says Zoe Irwin, ghd UK ambassador. 'To hide the fact that it's a cover-up, run straighteners through the ends and follow the cheekbone diagonally upwards to find the most flattering ponytail height that visually lifts your features.'

2. Or beach waves

'If your hair gets really greasy really quickly why not work with the texture instead of against it and go for beach waves,' suggests award-winning hairdresser, Lee Stafford. 'A salt spray will add a matte, gritty texture and, when combined with the natural oils in your hair, will create natural-looking tousled waves.'

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io