How To Get Rid Of Greasy Roots
How To Get Rid Of Greasy Roots
By Anupriya Jamuar
The line between glossy, slicked-back hair and Severus Snape-style greasy locks runs thin during the summer. Between the humidity, rising temperatures and your scalp’s heightened sebum production, your hair is left in an oily mess. But while most of the time you can get away with that slicked-back off-duty model bun, you shouldn’t really have to hide your hair.
So, we asked Priyanka Borkar, Bollywood’s favourite hairstylist, to share her tips and techniques for managing greasy roots this summer. Here are some expert-recommended dos and don’ts:
Don’t: wash your hair daily
“Even if you suffer from an extremely greasy scalp, I wouldn’t suggest washing it every day,” cautions Priyanka Borkar. “Instead, use a dry shampoo to control the grease.” Also, to avoid hair damage from over washing, try diluting your shampoo with water before using it and wash your hair every alternate day.
Do: Use the right shampoo
For that, you need to know what your hair requires. Some shampoo formulations can be harsh on your scalp. Switching to milder shampoos will keep your hair from becoming oily and prevent damage.
“You can try using a gel-based shampoo during the summer months,” advises Priyanka Borkar. This will keep a sweaty scalp in check. “For an oily scalp, use Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Collagen Volume Boost Micellar Shampoo, as it boosts your hair’s volume by eliminating oils and build-up. L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Pure Resource Shampoo is also a good option to keep that greasiness out.’’
Do: Go easy on the conditioner
Not all of us are blessed with naturally manageable hair. So, for hair that’s frizzy or hard to tame, ditching the conditioner entirely won’t do.
As an alternative, try conditioning just your roots and leave out your scalp. This will reduce frizz and not make your roots too oily.
Don’t: Eliminate hair oil
In summer, the thought of adding more oil into your hair sounds like a nightmare. But keep in mind that sweat doesn’t moisturise your scalp. So, while you don’t need to oil your hair frequently, do not completely cut it out of your routine, either.
“I wouldn’t recommend that people with an oily scalp frequently oil their hair. [But] a few drops of tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil (like coconut) can be used occasionally,” advises Priyanka Borkar.
A quick fix for greasy hair
If you have an impromptu event to attend, and your hair has decided to dial up the grease, try using a dry shampoo for a quick fix. These shampoos are mainly composed of a starch component that absorbs grease, giving your hair a light, fluffy feel.
But hairstylist Priyanka Borkar advises you to keep a few things in mind while using a dry shampoo. “Use one that does not leave any white residue. [And] while using dry shampoo is a quick fix, I won’t recommend using it as a substitute for shampooing,” she says.