Home remedies to manage oily hair

If you’ve washed your hair just a day or two ago and already, it has developed a greasy texture that makes it appear lank and dull, you probably suffer from the problem of oily hair – a condition that is quite common in teens but may also affect adults.

Oily hair is a result of excessive production of oil by the glands in the scalp because of several causes – heredity, hair that’s very fine in texture, hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual cycle or as a side effect in people who use androgenic hormones to bulk up body mass. Some people also develop oily hair if there is too much shampoo residue left over on the hair because of insufficient rinsing.

If you have oily hair, here are a few natural home remedies that could help you cope.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice not only contains vital vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair, it can also help keep excessive oiliness at bay. Squeeze out the juice from one small lemon, dilute it with a cup of water, mix well and apply to your scalp. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water and a mild shampoo. The lemon juice is also an effective way of getting rid of shampoo buildup on your hair.

Tea Rinse

Tea contains an astringent substance called tannic acid; this helps to prevent the buildup of excessive oil on the scalp by tightening the pores. Dip a tea bag in some warm water and apply the resulting tea to your scalp. Leave on for a few minutes and then rinse out with a mild shampoo.

Baking Soda

When used in a highly diluted form, baking soda can help to curb oiliness in the hair. Mix about two to three tablespoons of baking soda into a litre of water. Apply to the hair and leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse with a mild shampoo.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar also has an astringent effect that helps to reduce the oil buildup on hair. Dilute about one-fourth cup of apple cider vinegar to a litre of water; pour this liquid into a spray bottle and spray on your hair. Leave on for a few minutes and then rinse the vinegar out with some warm water.

Henna and Eggs

Break an egg and empty the contents into a bowl and mix in about 3 tablespoons of henna powder. Add in 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix everything together adding in a little warm water to give a pasty mass. Apply this to the hair; leave it on for about 2 hours and then rinse out completely before washing your hair with a mild shampoo. (Also read: Home remedies for hair loss that actually work)

Home-made Shampoo

Often, oily hair may also be the result of a strong shampoo that does not get completely washed out and therefore, leaves residues on the hair, giving it an oily and dull appearance. In such cases, the best option is to use a mild shampoo or substitute a mixture of equal parts of shikakai and reetha powder that cleanse your hair without leaving any oiliness behind. Alternatively, you could make your own shampoo at home by mixing a tablespoon of lemon juice with a teaspoon of aloe vera gel. This shampoo will keep for about a week if you store it under refrigeration.

Oil is a natural secretion of the scalp and plays a protective role in keeping hair healthy. However, there may be occasions when too much oil is secreted and this can make your hair look stringy and lifeless. If you find you need to keep washing your hair more than twice a week to keep it looking fresh, it’s time you made use of these home remedies to manage the oily hair.