Why does my hair always feel like it needs a wash?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I’ve got long very thick hair prone to getting a bit greasy at the roots. But it just never feels clean, even after it’s just been washed.

I washed yesterday afternoon, 2 x shampoos with a clarifying/build up removing shampoo and conditioner just through the lengths. Good rinse, air dried.

Today it feels heavy, greasy, lank and a bit itchy like I’ve not washed it for week.

What am I doing wrong?

I've found my hair does this if I use conditioner daily. I've started just using a light one a couple of times a week (I wash my hair everyday) and it's a lot better.

I find if I let my hair air dry that it feels greasy at the roots - probably because it takes AGES to dry!

Same problem here Op and I’m doing the same routine as you.

Hi OP, how often do you wash your hair? I find if I wash mine too often it's less likely to do this, even though it's awful to wait through the "greasy" stage. But leave it an extra day or two if you can bear it, and less oil will be produced. In the meantime you could use dry shampoo (i personally use cornflour as less chemically) overnight if you can't bear it being greasy.

Also, change your shampoo often, ie. each wash cycle through a different one.

Finally - are you under any stress, that can make you produce too much grease as your hormones can be affected.

But definitely leave it extra between washes if you can, to let you hair get used to not needing to produce as much oil.

Sorry - "I find if I wash mine less often it's less likely to do this,"

Try a rinse with some cider vinegar after washing.

Mine is better if I dont leave it damp for too long. So, if i shower, tie it back and forget about it, it feels nasty pretty quickly.
However if I get it nearly dry with the hairdryer before leaving the house (still tied back) it stays fresher for longer.

Agree with pps saying a good blow dry will help. Lasts a few days.

I feel the same if I dont blow dry it aswell!
If I let it air dry it always feels greasy the next day

Tbh it sounds like your over cleaning your hair so your scalp is over compensating for the loss of oil and your scalp is itchy because its dry.

I wash max every other day as I was having this exact same problem. Wherever I can I leave it longer.

Try a moisturising shampoo and a light conditioner op. I use the pink herbal essenses. Also lather just once rinse and condition.

Haircare should put more into your hair than it takes away.

I never believed the theory that the less you wash your hair, the less you need to but I've been converted this year. Last Christmas when I had plans every day and I was washing my hair every morning I found that by 4pm my hair was greasy again. So I cut back and it's loads better now. I'm the same as others in that if I don't blowdry my hair it's greasier for some reason. Also years ago I used pantene and left my hair greasy and coated, it looked worse than before I'd washed it.

I know you’ve already tried a clarifying shampoo, but Vosene works really well on my hair when I’ve got product build up or hard water build up.

I also get greasy and heavy hair when I use the same shampoo and conditioner for too long. So I switch my shampoo every month or so (I have two different ones I alternate between), and I switch between conditioners every few days.

I stopped blow drying my hair after every wash a couple of years ago and the condition of my hair is so much better. I really don’t want to go back to blow drying it every time to avoid greasiness. Does anyone know why blow drying it prevents the greasiness?

Can anyone recommend a good shampoo and conditioner to alternate with my Tigi Bedhead- which I love- but I am also getting greasy hair, so maybe I need a change?!

I have greasy roots and dry ends, I started using this and it has worked wonders! www.boots.com/pantene-hair-biology-shampoo-cleanse-and-reconstruct-250ml-10265438

Have realised I need to stay away from any shampoo that 'adds shine', my hair looks greasy the day after I have washed it otherwise. Also find e45 shampoo is good

I've been training my hair to go longer. I've binned silicones and sls and I can get 5 days out of my fine hair. Before I would only get 1 day out of one wash!

I switched to shampoo for dry hair, it has made such a difference. Moisterises my roots and has stopped over producing of oil. My scalp is so much healthier for it. I have long very thick hair too.

I asked my hairdresser about this and he said at the salon they use a clarifying shampoo on my hair so I've just bought some. It's clicked that my lank hair coincided with not having my highlights done since lockdown so I think my hair is greasier than it used to be.

Good tips here! Definitely think air drying is a factor - the greasiest bits are the bits that take longest to dry.

What’s your technique like? Do you get your fingers right in the hair and give a good firm massage with lots of friction onto the scalp? Maybe rubbing for a good 3/4 minutes each time? Too many bubbles and just rubbing lightly over the hair isn’t always enough.
Also, do u rinse with a hand held shower head so water spray is close to the scalp, or is it a big shower head above? I find again this doesn’t get get under the surface of the hair to the scalp.

Possibly could be a sign of seborrheic dermatitis? People with SD produce a lot more sebum (oil) which causes the harmless yeast on our skin to thrive, leading to inflammation i.e., flaky itchy skin

I started using lee Staffords shampoo brush in lockdown one and it gets rid of all the grease at the roots.