Why does my hair get greasy after one day

By: | Last Updated: April 20, 2022

Do you find it hard to keep your hair fresh for longer? Does it only take 24 hours, and you get greasy hair again? Frustrating, right?

But you’re not alone in battling this hair woe. However, knowing it’s a natural problem doesn’t make it less frustrating.

Fortunately, you’ve come across this site. We’re here to shed light on why your hair gets greasy after one day and what you can do about it. 

So if your hair is greasier than it used to be, keep reading!


Why is my hair so oily after 1 day?

Why is my hair so oily after 1 day

The buildup of sebum on our scalp is what causes greasy hair.

This isn’t as bad as it sounds. Sebum production is actually essential to support hair health. It lubricates the hair, keeping the scalp and hair healthy. 

But if your hair gets greasy only after 1 day, your overactive sebaceous glands are to blame.

The question is, what causes the sebaceous glands to be overactive anyway? 

We will try to answer that question in the following list.

Hair Texture

Some people have hair that’s greasier than others. Wondering why? It’s because not everyone has the same hair type. 

The number one influencer on how greasy one’s hair could become is actually the hair texture itself. 

The oil will be more evident if you have smooth and loose tresses. So if you’re one of those people with straight and fine hair, expect your strands to get greasy right away. 

This is because your hair doesn’t have waves or texture to it. The sebum your hair produces will glide straight down to the hair shaft. Then, it collects over your head, creating a greasy look.

Having fine hair also means more strands per square centimeter. And remember that each strand of hair has a sebaceous gland attached to it. That’s another reason your hair tends to be oiler than your curly-haired friends. 

Hormones

Hormones do weird things to our bodies. During pregnancy, menopause, and puberty, hormonal fluctuations can create a sudden surge in scalp sebum production

Are you going through some life changes that affect your hormone levels? If so, expect to have greasier hair. No worries, as you can control this using the proper hair care regimen and some medications. Talking to your doctor is also a good idea.

Hygiene Habits

Do you wash your hair regularly? When was the last time you washed your pillow? You might have intense workout schedules. 

The grease on your head is a combination of sebum, dirt, sweat, and environmental pollution. That is why your regular habits and hygiene practices can also lead to greasy hair.

Location

If you move to the city, expect your hair to get greasy. This is because of environmental air pollution and hard water. This combination makes it harder for you to keep your strands manageable.

Diet and Nutrition

Outside variables aren’t the only ones affecting how your hair behaves. What you consume affects how smooth, dry, or greasy your tresses will be.

So might as well remove the refined carbs and saturated fats from your diet. It’s time to switch to whole grains and unsaturated fats for a healthier life and shinier hair. 

Greasy hair vitamin deficiency is another thing to consider. 

Dr. Berg explains that zinc deficiency causes your body to produce excessive oil. 

Also, zinc helps to decrease hydrogen levels. And guess what happens if you have a zinc deficiency?

You’re right. Your hydrogen level increases. 

This will then create a domino effect on your sebaceous gland as high DHT makes the sebaceous gland get bigger. Thus, increasing oil production.

 

What can you do to stop greasy hair?

What can you do to stop greasy hair – Curling Diva

Now that you know what causes greasy hair. It’s time to answer the much bigger question: “What can I do when my hair gets greasy in less than 24 hours?”

Change Your Hair Washing Habits

Washing your hair too often? Not washing your hair enough? Your hair washing habits can also affect how much sebum your hair produces.

Read below to understand how your hair washing habits can ruin your hair’s ability to produce natural oils properly.

Not washing enough

Don’t have the energy and time to wash your hair regularly? Do you prefer hot baths more than showers to skip the hair? Then you shouldn’t be too surprised why your hair gets greasy. It’s the build-up of dead skin cells, sebum, dirt, and debris.

Overwashing

“If not washing hair enough causes greasy hair, then should I wash my hair as often as possible?” you might ask. While that sounds brilliant, that’s not the solution to your greasy hair problem!

Remember the sebaceous glands? The one responsible for sebum production? Well, if you wash your hair too often, it tricks the scalp that it’s too dry. And if it’s too dry, the brilliant sebaceous glands will do their wonders. It will keep your hair moisturized by going into a sebum production overdrive. And as you guess, your hair becomes oiler than it should be.

Over shampooing

Being overzealous with using your new shampoo can hurt your scalp too. No matter how satisfying the bubbles you get from lathering a huge amount of shampoo on your scalp, don’t do it. 

Using too much shampoo can strip your scalp of its natural oils. Again, your sebaceous glands will run to the rescue and produce more oil. 

Here are a few things you might want to try:

  • Use products formulated for oily hair. Consider clarifying and sulfate-free shampoo.
  • Use purifying shampoo once a week.
  • Avoid products that contain silicone.
  • Use dry shampoo between washes.

Condition Carefully

You shouldn’t skip the conditioner, they say. But you shouldn’t be using it too much as well. 

When conditioning, skip the scalp. Condition the ends only. And don’t forget to rinse thoroughly.

Your scalp produces natural oils. Plus, the roots are the healthiest parts of your hair strand. It’s not that damaged. So it wouldn’t be that dry. That is why your roots won’t need the extra oils from your conditioner. 

Skip the Heat

Heat tools can give you instant smooth hair. But it can make your hair look greasier too.

How? Heat styling tools can soften and melt the oil on your scalp. As you use your curling iron and straightener, it can spread the grease all over the strands. 

If possible, limit the use of heat tools. It can cause greasy hair, and it’s damaging to your strands.

And if you have to use your curling iron, clean it. Ensure that it’s free of dirt, grime, and debris before using it.

Also, avoid hot water when washing your hair. It will strip your hair of its natural oils. This can trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. 

Use cool water for the last rinse instead to add more shine to your tresses.

Change out your pillowcases

As simple as this sounds, many people overlook the importance of clean pillowcases. 

Remember that you use your pillows many hours a day. Every time you use it, you add oil, sweat, and dirt to it. 

Where else would that buildup go when you sleep? It goes to your face and, of course, your hair too. 

So make sure to replace your pillowcases every other week. It’s good for your face and hair.

Brush Carefully

Frequent hair brushing is a way to distribute your hair’s natural oils from the scalp to the rest of your strands. This is why you get shiny hair after brushing.

But that’s not the only thing hair brushing does. It can also drag down the sweat, dirt, and grime from the roots to the ends of your hair. This is what makes your hair greasy.

So what can you do about it? Always clean your hairbrush.

Also, don’t go over 100 strokes per day. Too much brushing can trigger more oil production than your hair needs. 

Avoid brushing your hair right after showering. Using a wide-tooth comb is preferable. It’s gentler in detangling strands. 

Opt for a wet brush if you still want to use a brush. And when brushing, make sure the bristle tips touch the scalp. 


3 quick fixes for greasy hair

3 quick fixes for greasy hair

Following the list above will help reduce grease on your hair. But it might not make your hair less greasy right away.

If you’re looking for a quick fix, here are some tricks you’d find helpful:

Dry Shampoo

No time for a full wash? Drying hair can be a hassle too. Consider using dry shampoo instead.

If a quick workout session or long commute to work makes your hair greasy, dry shampoo can save you from a bad hair day. 

 

Baby Powder

Can’t get your hands on dry shampoo? Reach for the baby powder instead!

This works like a typical dry shampoo. But with a more natural ingredient. Thus, making it safer for your hair.

Applying a baby powder on darker shades of hair can be tricky, though. If used the wrong way, it can leave a white cast on your hair.

To prevent that, use a small amount on your roots. It can dry out your scalp immediately anyway.

 

Blotting Sheets

There is another reason to stock up on your favorite oil-absorbing sheets. 

This holy-grail product helps in reducing oil on your hair as well. Blotting sheets offer a quick, convenient, and easy application.

It’s super easy. Great for on the go. Perfect if you have a small bag where your dry shampoo couldn’t fit. Plus, blotting sheets are cheap.

 

When to see a doctor

A sudden surge in sebum production is not normal. Sure, it could be your incorrect washing habits that are ruining your strands. But it could also be something else entirely.

Certain diseases also cause an overactive sebaceous gland.

If you notice that your oil levels are increasing, getting a doctor’s appointment is a good idea.

Changing your washing habits and even adjusting your diet might not help in these cases.

CHECK OUT: Why does my hair get greasy overnight


The Takeaway!

Greasy hair after 24 hours can be due to hormonal fluctuations, weather conditions, and your hygiene habits. Your diet and nutrition may affect how your sebaceous glands work too. Some people are even more naturally prone to oily hair because of their hair type.

Whatever the cause, there’s a way to combat greasy hair problems. Changing your washing habits will be of great help. You might want to reconsider your heat tools usage too. 

There are also tricks to resolve the issue right away. Dry shampoos, blotting sheets, and even baby powder are great starters.

If all else fails and you’re worried about just how much oil your sebaceous gland produces, consider seeing your physician for professional advice.

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