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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be fucking sick and tired of my oily hair

81 replies

pineapplepot · 20/10/2023 01:59

The front of my hair looks like this, after not even 24 hours. It’s ridiculously stringy. It looks amazing after I’ve washed it, but after one sleep it’s impossible to style it. I’ve tried everything to try and combat oily hair but nothing has worked.

It’s really ruining my self esteem, I can’t do anything with my hair. I either have to slick it back or just hide the front of my hair altogether.

What am I doing wrong?!

To be fucking sick and tired of my oily hair
OP posts:
DaizenShine · 20/10/2023 02:05

I don't really have any great solutions, though perhaps as a short term now and then fix, have you tried dry shampoo? Should take away the clumping together and add a bit of volume.

JMSA · 20/10/2023 02:06

I feel for you, OP. My hair was always my crowning glory ... until menopause!
I'm sure loads of people on here will be able to help. But I'd also advise posting this on 'Style & Beauty', as the folks on there really seem to know their stuff.
Good luck and hope you get it sorted!

Distinguishedandmature · 20/10/2023 02:07

Have you tried oiling your hair? Your scalp is like your facial skin. If you wash your face too much, it strips the skin of its natural oils so it's starts to over produce oil. Your hair is probably doing the same thing.

MeMySonAnd1 · 20/10/2023 02:11

May I ask you what products you use and how often? My hair can easily get like that if I use moisturising conditioners or if I wash it too often (the more you wash it the more grease your scalp produce)

pineapplepot · 20/10/2023 02:13

I use clarifying shampoo once a week and then also a sulfate free shampoo. I also use a glycolic acid scrub to get rid of buildup before I shower once a week!

OP posts:
GlitterGlobe30 · 20/10/2023 02:15

You can't do anything about it, my hair is exactly the same. You just have to wash it every day for it to look good. I leave it on the days I'm not seeing anyone or doing anything.

Hairdressers would constantly tell me to wash it less to stop it being so oily - this did nothing except make my hair look disgusting for as long as I didn't wash it. It's just genetics, you produce more oil, so washing it less will make no difference. On the plus side, oily skin will keep you looking young!

Jumpleaprun · 20/10/2023 02:18

use dry shampoo on your hair before it’s greasy. Wash your hair, dry it, spray the roots and spray the brush and brush it threw the hair, the best way is to absorb the oil before it’s there rather then trying to get rid of oil that’s already built up. Try batiste’s new overnight dry shampoo after washing and drying and then spray the brush before you brush it out. Hope this helps!

MeMySonAnd1 · 20/10/2023 02:21

I guess using a glycolic acid scrub and clarifying shampoo once a week may be part of the problem. Are you using other products aside of the shampoo and conditioner that may cause build up? If not, you shouldn’t be using either.

One thing I found with my hair is that when I reduced the frequency of washing it got very greasy but after a week or so if washing it every second day it became less greasy. Alternatively, you can stop washing it for three days at a time and within 2 weeks you might be able to see a difference.

Harella · 20/10/2023 02:21

I have similarly had lifelong oily hair - this routine works for me and allows me to wash my hair every other day and still have it look fresh.

  • I shampoo twice - both times spending two minutes rubbing the shampoo into my scalp and then leaving it to sit for three minutes before washing it out.
  • I use very minimal conditioner - only on the ends of my hair (below ear level) - as conditioner on the top of my head depresses the volume and makes it look flatter and greasier than it is.
  • I dry my hair with a hair dryer within an hour of getting out of the shower. Leaving it to air dry always makes it look greasier.
  • I apply dry shampoo to my roots on the second morning after washing.
Jumpleaprun · 20/10/2023 02:28

Add two tablespoons of salt into your shampoo bottle

coxesorangepippin · 20/10/2023 02:34

Feel your pain op, mine's the same, total grease ball

I use volumising shampoo, wash twice, and basically have to wash it every day for it to look nice

Sunshineandrainbow · 20/10/2023 03:00

I wash everyday with wella pure shampoo for build up.

Also wash your hairbrush with washing up liquid to remove any oil.

MariaMeringue · 20/10/2023 17:06

I wash my hair every single morning and have done since I was 13. Until I started my current regime a couple of years ago, I had to wash it again to go out in the evening as it was greasy again by late afternoon (I used to keep shampoo and a hair dryer in the drawer of my desk if I was going out straight from work). Dry shampoo just made my hair look slightly less lanky, but dull.

Friends were constantly giving me 'helpful' advice to 'train' my hair to need washing less offen, but I knew that mine wasn't just normal oily hair and no amount of 'training' it would make a difference. It always looked great after it was washed in the morning, but was already starting to look greasy again by 4pm in the afternoon.

In desperation I went to see a dermatologist who also speciallises in trichology. He explained that people who don't have overactive sebaceous glands on their scalp (the cause of excessively oily hair) don't understand that leaving it for longer between washes does no good at all and is actually detrimental to scalp and hair health. So I had been right to ignore my friends' well-meaning advice. The fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis feeds on sebum (the excess oil) and multiplies very quickly. Thie fungus causes scalp irritation, leading to yet more sebum production, and weakens the hair root. This weakness is exacerbated by the excess sebum blocking the hair follicles and affecting the flow of blood and nutrients to the hair root. So it's vitally important to keep the scalp clean and oil free, not just because greasy hair looks and feels so horrible, but because the excess oil affects the health of the scalp and hair follicles.

Anyway, I can tell you what works for me and I hope you find it helpful. It's been life-changing for me as my hair used to constantly preoccupy me and affect my self-confidence.

Every morning I alternate between Seboradin and Nizoral shampoo, massaged right into my scalp and left for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. I follow this with a normal silicone free shampoo (choose clear rather than creamy shampoos to avoid silicones) and rinse it straight off. I only use conditioner on the last couple of inches of my hair to make sure it doesn't end up anywhere near my scalp. For the last two years, I've also taken 2.5mg oral minoxidil every day which strengthens the roots of my hair and keeps it in the anagen (growing) phase for much longer. My hair now doesn't shed in tbe hairbrush or shower, so it's very noticeably thicker than it used to be, and even by the next morning it doesn't have that 'stringy' look anymore (although I still wash it anyway).

Understanding the 'science' behind my greasy hair has been so beneficial and I now treat it as a medical condition that can be successful managed.

babyboo1and2 · 20/10/2023 17:11

Following

Sundayrain · 20/10/2023 17:14

Mine is the same, I've washed it every morning and again if I'm going out in the evening since I was a teenager. The thing that actually changed my life was cutting it really short, into a pixie cut. No more long greasy strands! If I don't want to wash it I can put products in it and style it so that it doesn't look lank and greasy. It's been an absolute game-changer, I used to feel so self-conscious about my hair and it's now no longer a thing in my life. I try out different cuts, styles and colours all the time and absolutely love having short hair. I realise it's a very drastic solution though!

DeepFriedBananas · 20/10/2023 17:17

I found the only thing that stopped my oily hair was dying it. For some reason, it worked for mine.
I use a shade as close to my own hair colour as I can.
I don't know if you do this op? If so, maybe change brands?

JackGrealishsCalves · 20/10/2023 17:18

I get similar and have done for years. Initially solved it by working out that most shampoos do this after a few weeks, only Tresemme doesn't.
However recently it's gone all lank again so hairdresser said she will apply a clarifying treatment on next time I am in.
Interested to know if there are any over the counter clarifying shampoos that work well?

ChChChCherryBomb · 20/10/2023 17:18

MariaMeringue · 20/10/2023 17:06

I wash my hair every single morning and have done since I was 13. Until I started my current regime a couple of years ago, I had to wash it again to go out in the evening as it was greasy again by late afternoon (I used to keep shampoo and a hair dryer in the drawer of my desk if I was going out straight from work). Dry shampoo just made my hair look slightly less lanky, but dull.

Friends were constantly giving me 'helpful' advice to 'train' my hair to need washing less offen, but I knew that mine wasn't just normal oily hair and no amount of 'training' it would make a difference. It always looked great after it was washed in the morning, but was already starting to look greasy again by 4pm in the afternoon.

In desperation I went to see a dermatologist who also speciallises in trichology. He explained that people who don't have overactive sebaceous glands on their scalp (the cause of excessively oily hair) don't understand that leaving it for longer between washes does no good at all and is actually detrimental to scalp and hair health. So I had been right to ignore my friends' well-meaning advice. The fungus that causes dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis feeds on sebum (the excess oil) and multiplies very quickly. Thie fungus causes scalp irritation, leading to yet more sebum production, and weakens the hair root. This weakness is exacerbated by the excess sebum blocking the hair follicles and affecting the flow of blood and nutrients to the hair root. So it's vitally important to keep the scalp clean and oil free, not just because greasy hair looks and feels so horrible, but because the excess oil affects the health of the scalp and hair follicles.

Anyway, I can tell you what works for me and I hope you find it helpful. It's been life-changing for me as my hair used to constantly preoccupy me and affect my self-confidence.

Every morning I alternate between Seboradin and Nizoral shampoo, massaged right into my scalp and left for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. I follow this with a normal silicone free shampoo (choose clear rather than creamy shampoos to avoid silicones) and rinse it straight off. I only use conditioner on the last couple of inches of my hair to make sure it doesn't end up anywhere near my scalp. For the last two years, I've also taken 2.5mg oral minoxidil every day which strengthens the roots of my hair and keeps it in the anagen (growing) phase for much longer. My hair now doesn't shed in tbe hairbrush or shower, so it's very noticeably thicker than it used to be, and even by the next morning it doesn't have that 'stringy' look anymore (although I still wash it anyway).

Understanding the 'science' behind my greasy hair has been so beneficial and I now treat it as a medical condition that can be successful managed.

I love this post! Thanks for sharing!

I’ve washed my hair every morning since my teen years as it looks awful, so greasy and makes me feel awful too. I’ve got away with tying it up on occasion but hate my ears, so prefer to wash it daily!

OP, I feel your pain and hope this post helps you too (haven’t read through whole thread yet)!

WhenRobinsAreNear · 20/10/2023 22:10

I've always found lush shampoo bars help massively with this

ColonelRhubarbBikini · 20/10/2023 22:17

@MariaMeringue that is really interesting. Thank you for sharing. It frustrates me no end when people say to leave it and it’ll get better. It bloody won’t.

OP I’m in the same boat. Very oily skin and super greasy hair. Weirdly if I pull an all nighter it’s not half as bad as when I sleep on it. I wash my hair every morning and then sometimes again before going out in an evening. A friend of mine who is similar actually saw a private derm and got a prescription for roaccutane even though no acne present. It’s a drastic solution though as it leaves you so dry your lips will crack.

coveredindoghairs · 20/10/2023 22:31

I agree with PP who've said that some of us are just oilier than others. Ever since puberty, I've had oily hair that only looks and feels clean if washed daily. If I want it to look its best, I need to wash my hair in the morning. Washing in the evening doesn't seem to last through the whole day before the greasiness creeps back in.

It's true, though, that my (oily) skin seems to resist wrinkles, so that's something.

johnnybongos · 20/10/2023 22:55

It’s so demoralising isnt it! I think my family always thought I was being dramatic about it but it’s really upsetting isnt it.

Anyway 100% agree with advice from @MariaMeringue about using Nizoral and then following up with a silicone free shampoo. I would highly, highly recommend Colour Wow shampoo for that second shampoo. It’s been a game changer for me.

I also;

i. spend a really long time rinsing all residue out my hair;
ii. Only use lukewarm water on my hair
iii. Always shampoo twice
iv. Always blow dry; and
v. when I have time also curl my hair (as I find it always looks oiler quicker when straight).

You could also get some highlights or a ‘moneypiece’ in the front of your hair to dry that area out.

Good luck and def see what you think of colour wow - it’s pricey but they do £10 travel size bottles

SillyBilly1993 · 20/10/2023 23:14

1 - How often are you washing it, and do you give your hair breaks? I usually wash my hair every 3 days, but a few times a year I don’t wash my hair for an entire week. It’s horrible by the end, but it seems to reset my hair and makes it stay fresher for longer. Sometimes you have to let your hair become really greasy to get it to slow down oil production.

2 - Do you rotate hair products? I usually find if I use expensive products for too long then my hair gets product build up. It’s the cheaper products like Pantene Pro-V and Aussie that work best in detoxing my hair.

3 - Have you tried dying it? My sister dyes her hair pretty much the exact colour as her natural hair. It gives the hair a slight warmth, a fuller texture, and a healthy looking shine. Could be worth a go.

Hankunamatata · 20/10/2023 23:27

Iv got greasy hair. Changing to sulphate free shampoo and conditioner helped. Only thing that cures it, is when I get a full head of highlights

GoldenSpangles · 20/10/2023 23:34

No amount of leaving my hair unwashed improved it or reset it or trained it or anything else. Funny why they never suggest people with oily skin wash their face once a week! What I found worked was handling my hair as little as possible, treating it very gently and washing it daily with the smallest amount of conditioner on the ends. A coolish final rinse also seemed to help.

Occasionally I would put about 2 tsp of white vinegar in a jug of water and pour it over my hair in the shower which seemed to cut build up. I didn't really use a hairbrush much but make sure it is kept super clean. I wonder whether you would be a candidate for prescription roacutane as that did seem to help when I took it for acne and it certainly helped my sons' acne. Can you use some alcohol based wipes round your forehead and hairline during the day?

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