Can you dye greasy hair?

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Didn’t get time to wash your hair and now you are searching on google to find out if it’s okay to dye your greasy hair. 

The answer to this question is yes and no. 

 

The majority of hair salon’s wash and dry your hair for you or will tell you to wash your hair before your appointment because the dye may not work properly in oily hair and may even end up leaving your hair uneven. This is because the oil in your hair will create a barrier thus preventing the dye from properly reaching your hair follicles. 

 

Though the safer option will be to wash your hair and remove the greasiness from your hair before dying hair. 

 

To be honest a little oil in your can even help in your hair dying process based on the method and products used for dying. 

 

In the below situations make sure to wash your hair using a shampoo

 

  • If the semi, demi or entirely permanent dye you are planning on using is combined with a developer that is lower than 20 volumes (it will be mentioned in the packet if you are dying your hair by yourself). If this is the method you are following then please do clean your hair using shampoo the day before. To help the dye reach the hair effortlessly.
  • When using hair dyes with little to no peroxides, ensure that you remove the oil and residues from your hair as these types of hair dyes have a hard time penetrating hair in the presence of oil.
  • When you are dying your hair if the hair is too oily then the colour can get diluted and you will most definitely be disappointed in the colour you get as a result.

 

In the following scenarios, it is better to leave your hair a little greasy

 

  • If you are using bleach or if you are using permanent hair dye that is combined with a developer higher than 20 volume, it is better to leave your hair a little greasy because the barrier created by oil will prevent your hair from drying out to an extent due to loss of moisture.  
  • If you are colouring your hair and would like to tone down the colour of the dye then it is better to just dye your greasy hair but one downside to this is, as mentioned before not all parts of your hair will have the same shade and could end up being a mess. It is not a risk worth taking.
  • Even if you decide to dye your greasy hair make sure that it is not sticky because that will not give you the result you are expecting unless you want your hair to look like a mosaic painting.

 

Keep the following in your mind while dying greasy hair

 

  • The hair, even though oily, shouldn’t have any build-up or residues. So make sure that you use products that do not contain silicones, mineral oils, petroleum oils, polymers…
  • Some recommend not washing your hair two or three days before bleaching or dying so as to protect your hair but this will completely depend on how greasy your hair gets. So know your hair before you follow this advice.
  • If you are dying your hair in a salon make sure you ask your stylist prior to your appointment what to do.
  • Some hair dyes are formulated in such a way that they work better on a little greasy hair so keep note of that too.
  • Read the product instructions.

 

What are the common causes of greasy hair?

 

  • Overactive sebaceous glands i.e they produce too much sebum.
  • Unhealthy eating habits
  • Improper hair care
  •  Medications
  •  Hormonal imbalance

Watch the video for further guidance

How to take proper care of your greasy or oily hair?

 

The natural oil in your hair is essential to keep your hair healthy but too much of nothing is appreciated especially when you have to wake up looking like you just fell into an oil field. Here are some tips to reduce grease in your hair while not entirely stripping of your natural hair oil:

  • Manage your hair washing schedule properly: If you wash your hair less frequently and the hair is greasy then start washing it more often and if you wash your hair once a day every day t5hen tone it down. overwashing your hair will strip off its natural oil and the glands will produce more to rehydrate them. 
  •  The American Academy of Dermatology recommends people with really oily hair to shampoo up to once a day
  • Use shampoo( clarifying shampoos are prefered by some experts) and conditioner properly. Make sure you don’t scrub your scalp aggressively as it can irritate your scalp and cause it to produce more oils.
  • Reduce use of blow dryers and other hair styling tools.
  • Make sure to use products that are formulated for your hair, it will be mentioned in the product description.
  • Reduce refined sugars and dairy products
  • Try to use dry shampoos, not as a substitute for the liquid ones but occasionally make use of dry shampoo but don’t overdo it.
  • Wash your hair properly after a workout, wearing a hat or helmet.
  • Use natural remedies like aloe vera, witch hazel, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, honey etc.
  • Consume the right amount of vitamins and fatty acids.

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