It’s frustrating to wake up to oily hair. However, it should not worry you as It’s normal for your hair to get greasy when there’s a buildup of natural oil on your scalp. The oil, called sebum, is produced by your sebaceous glands and functions to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair. If you notice that your hair gets greasy overnight, you may have overactive sebaceous glands or need to adjust your hair care routine.
Your hair gets oily when you get up in the morning because of the natural oil buildup in the scalp. The sebaceous glands that produce oil are located on your scalp and have an oily substance called sebum. When you sleep, these glands become active, producing more sebum than usual. Usually, the excess sebum is absorbed by the hair shaft and distributed evenly throughout each strand.
However, if these glands become blocked or damaged, they can’t do their job well, causing buildup. If your scalp is dry or damaged from over-processing or coloring your hair, it won’t be able to absorb the excess sebum. So it’ll start to build up instead.
Why Is Your Hair So Oily When You Wake Up?
So, read on to learn more…
Medication and Supplement
Drugs or supplements that contain hormones make your hair oily. Some medications and supplements cause oily hair. You will experience increased sebum production when taking antibiotics, birth control pills, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants.
Overwashing Your Hair
Washing your hair too often strips your scalp of its natural oils, causing it to overcompensate by producing more oil. The tendency increases if you use hot water when washing as it causes damage to the follicles resulting in excessive oil production to protect them from further damage.
Poor Hygiene
People with poor hygienic habits have oily scalp and hence the greasiness in their hair. If you are not washing your hair regularly or using good natural ingredients products, your hair will likely become dirty quickly. The dirt accumulated on your scalp causes excessive oil production, which results in greasy hair.
The Hair Products You Use
Using products not suitable for your hair type. If you have dry hair, using a conditioner containing alcohol or silicone makes your hair even worse. These chemicals remove natural oils from the scalp and cause excessive secretion by sebaceous glands to compensate for the lack of oil in the scalp.
Your Sleeping Position
The sleeping position you assume at night contributes to oily hair in the morning. If you sleep on your stomach or back, the gravity causes oils from the roots down toward the scalp and won’t be absorbed by your hair shafts and follicles.
How To Prevent Your Hair from Getting Oily When You Sleep
Use a detangler Instead of a Conditioner.
A detangler helps reduce the amount of oil your scalp produces by breaking down the protein bonds that hold each strand together. This allows each strand to fall apart easily, so they don’t stick together and clog the pores on your scalp. The best detanglers contain natural ingredients such as rosemary extract and tea tree oil, both antiseptics and anti-inflammatory agents that keep your scalp clean and healthy by eliminating bacteria and fungi that cause infection or dandruff.
Sleeping With Your Hair Up
This way, the oil produced at the roots will not flow down the length of your hair. Either put it in a bun or tie it up in a ponytail.
Using a clean silk or nylon pillowcase helps keep your pillowcase from becoming stained by sebum and prevents breakage caused by friction at night.
Use Shampoo Designed For Oily Roots
There are shampoos explicitly designed for oily hair to help clarify the scalp and remove excess oil and dirt. These products contain tea tree oil and peppermint oil, which help dry the scalp and reduce oil production.
Use a clarifying shampoo once or twice per week instead of every day. This will remove any buildup on your scalp that could cause excess oil production. Clarifying shampoos are formulated with ingredients like sulfates and salicylic acid that break down oils so they won’t build up in your hair over time. Reducing the frequency of use helps prevent your scalp from drying.
Use a Clean Silk Or Nylon Pillowcase
This helps absorb any oils on your pillow before they get transferred onto your hair overnight. Make sure you change these regularly so they don’t build up bacteria over time.
Use Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoos come in different forms, from powders to sprays. Powders are better for absorbing excess oil as they are more concentrated than sprays. However, powders leave white residue on your scalp and hair if not applied correctly or if too much is used.
Natural Products to Prevent Waking Up with Oily Hair
There are many natural substances that you can use on your hair.
Baking Soda
Mix half a tablespoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of water and massage it into your scalp for five minutes. Rinse well with cool water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix one part apple cider vinegar and three parts water in a spray bottle and spray it on your hair after washing. The vinegar dries out the oils on your scalp, leaving them with less oil buildup.
Rinse your Hair with Lemon Juice
The acidity of the lemon juice helps remove excess oils from your scalp and prevent buildup.
Wash with Tea Tree Oil
Wash your hair with tea tree oil instead of regular shampoo. Tea tree oil has antifungal properties that prevent dandruff and buildup from forming on your scalp while moisturizing dry patches so they don’t flake off into clumps.
Understand the Cause of Your Oily Hair
The best way to combat oily hair depends on what’s causing it. No one answer works for everyone. But by understanding why your hair is greasy and the causes, you can start taking steps towards eliminating this problem. You should try using natural remedies or combining them to avoid expensive products. Using the right products free from harsh chemicals begins your healthy hair journey.
