Tips/tricks/products for thin, oily hair?

thelaurameister

It's not really "chit-chat, fun, and games" but I thought this would be the best place to post this? I'm not even sure if anyone on here will be able to help, but what's the harm in trying?

I have thin hair...THIIIIIIIIIN hair. When all of my hair is in a pony tail, the width is less than a dime. It sucks, but I've learned to work with it. I typically do french braids, buns, and pony tails for work because it takes so much effort to do my hair any other way (that actually looks good). My hair is also very brittle.

Here's my issue:
I used to wash my hair every day, but it was making my hair even thinner/causing me to lose too much hair/dried my hair out to a frizz. So now, I only wash my hair every other day so my hair restores its natural oil. Since my hair is so thin, not showering for just ONE day makes my hair look like it hasn't been washed for a week. I swear, I'm a very hygienically-conscious person, but to those random strangers who don't know me I feel like they think I have very poor hygiene habits on the days that I don't wash my hair.

Anyone have tips or tricks that help with this? I currently use Biolage color care shampoo, does anyone have a better suggestion? Any tricks to help with my hair's oiliness? THANK YOUUUU!

shoppingmaniac86

I recommend dry Shampoo... my friend bought me some from Victoria's secret and it works wonders! Also blow dry your air on cool settings and set it on low. I bought this john frieda hair dryer and it works great for me no more frizz

shoppingmaniac86

And a get a good shampoo the gets rid of scalp build up i use nioxin but ive been wanting to try the asian brand clear

erinfog

do you only use shampoo (ie no conditioner?) your scalp may be overcompensating with the oil if it is dry. maybe try using a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner every other day. make sure you rinse really, really well.

also, i do an apple cider vinegar rinse once a month or so. it's super clarifying, gets all the product gunk off your hair and is good for the scalp.

as for products, a dry shampoo or just baby powder (brushed through really well) can help on days you don't wash it. i think bumble and bumble has colored versions of the powder but they are a little more pricey.

my hair is super thick as it is but when my sister gives me a 'porn star' blow out (she's a hair dresser) she uses nioxin diamax spray and lanza healing style powder; it really makes a HUGE difference.

hope this helps

saxmaniac

There are detergents in conditioner. Try this - rinse & condition your hair daily, but only use shampoo every other day.

If it's still too nasty on off-days, then try 2 days shampoo, 1 day without.

Bostonstacey

My hair is pretty thin. If it gets too long its super thin. If I don't wash it every day, it looks wet its so oily, and its absolutely gross... so I wash it every day. EVERY. DAY. I've tried dry shampoos, and it didn't do anything for my hair oil-wise. I tend to switch up shampoos, but haven't found anything particularly awesome. Essentially, I'm of absolutely no help, but I totally get where you're coming from.

elysianashes

My hair is like this too! Very, very thin, and very, very fine. So it's not like we're greasy people, we just don't have enough hair to distribute the normal amount of oil that's produced! I have tried to explain it to hairstylists and they say, "Oh, no, it'll be fine, we have this cool product that will fix that." They put it in, try to fluff up my hair, and go, "Oh. Wow, you weren't kidding." It just stays limp.

One thing I've found is that if I don't switch up my shampoo about once a month, my hair starts to get more stringy. I use cheap shampoo, I just go back and forth between Herbal Essences and Garnier Fructis - I just can't bring myself to spend $20 on a bottle of shampoo that won't do anything more to my hair than the cheap stuff.

Other than that, I have no other ideas, just know that you're not alone!

thelaurameister

do you only use shampoo (ie no conditioner?) your scalp may be overcompensating with the oil if it is dry. maybe try using a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner every other day. make sure you rinse really, really well.

also, i do an apple cider vinegar rinse once a month or so. it's super clarifying, gets all the product gunk off your hair and is good for the scalp.

as for products, a dry shampoo or just baby powder (brushed through really well) can help on days you don't wash it. i think bumble and bumble has colored versions of the powder but they are a little more pricey.

my hair is super thick as it is but when my sister gives me a 'porn star' blow out (she's a hair dresser) she uses nioxin diamax spray and lanza healing style powder; it really makes a HUGE difference.

hope this helps

Yes, I do use conditioner as well. Thanks for the tips!

thelaurameister

I recommend dry Shampoo... my friend bought me some from Victoria's secret and it works wonders! Also blow dry your air on cool settings and set it on low. I bought this john frieda hair dryer and it works great for me no more frizz

I have heard of that, I definitely want to look into that I just never knew where to purchase it...Thank you!

cbu23

I have really fine really thin hair. I have no choice but to wash mine everyday because of how oily it will get. Here are some things i do...

-I color my hair (pretty much exactly what my natural color is, I just color it to strip moisture out of it)
-Use the hair care line "Big Sexy Hair". I use their shampoo, conditioner, volume gel, and root pump spray.
-When I need hairspray I use Rusk W8-less. It's the lightest hairspray ever.
-I always have dry shampoo on hand, but don't use that often...but is very handy to have around.
-I always use conditioner (your ends will be awful if you don't) but I'm sure to only use it on my ends and not get any on my scalp.
-I take biotin vitamins, makes your hair and nails grow stronger.

Hope some of this helps!!!

thelaurameister

There are detergents in conditioner. Try this - rinse & condition your hair daily, but only use shampoo every other day.

If it's still too nasty on off-days, then try 2 days shampoo, 1 day without.

Wouldn't the extra conditioner make it worse? I appreciate your input, thank you very much, I just don't get the logic behind that, could you explain?? :flowerforyou:

MinMin97

I never have problems with my hair...it is thick and healthy.
But when I used store bought shampoo one time, my hair just fell out so much everyday!!
And my scalp itched!
Took me a while to figure it out.
So I went back to my usual types of shampoo (I go as natural as possible, and currently it's Carol's Daughter shampoo/conditioner, the Monoi version).
I experienced immediate relief, and in a couple of days my hair stopped falling out.

The other thing I would suggest is to massage your scalp with jojoba oil before you shampoo, letting the oils soak in a bit. No, this will not make you have more of a problem....this is actually balancing.

I think if you move away from the detergent shampoos (containing laureth sulfates) your scalp will thank you.
I don't think that shampooing daily is necessarily the problem.

thelaurameister

My hair is like this too! Very, very thin, and very, very fine. So it's not like we're greasy people, we just don't have enough hair to distribute the normal amount of oil that's produced! I have tried to explain it to hairstylists and they say, "Oh, no, it'll be fine, we have this cool product that will fix that." They put it in, try to fluff up my hair, and go, "Oh. Wow, you weren't kidding." It just stays limp.

One thing I've found is that if I don't switch up my shampoo about once a month, my hair starts to get more stringy. I use cheap shampoo, I just go back and forth between Herbal Essences and Garnier Fructis - I just can't bring myself to spend $20 on a bottle of shampoo that won't do anything more to my hair than the cheap stuff.

Other than that, I have no other ideas, just know that you're not alone!

It does help to know I'm not alone, so thank you! I try switching shampoos every time I need shampoo. It helps temporarily (like a week) but then I'm just back where I started sadly. Thank you!

thelaurameister

I have really fine really thin hair. I have no choice but to wash mine everyday because of how oily it will get. Here are some things i do...

-I color my hair (pretty much exactly what my natural color is, I just color it to strip moisture out of it)
-Use the hair care line "Big Sexy Hair". I use their shampoo, conditioner, volume gel, and root pump spray.
-When I need hairspray I use Rusk W8-less. It's the lightest hairspray ever.
-I always have dry shampoo on hand, but don't use that often...but is very handy to have around.
-I always use conditioner (your ends will be awful if you don't) but I'm sure to only use it on my ends and not get any on my scalp.
-I take biotin vitamins, makes your hair and nails grow stronger.

Hope some of this helps!!!

It does, thank you! I have always seen Big Sexy Hair and have been curious to try it, I just haven't for whatever reason...I'll give it a shot! Thanks!!

thelaurameister

I never have problems with my hair...it is thick and healthy.
But when I used store bought shampoo one time, my hair just fell out so much everyday!!
And my scalp itched!
Took me a while to figure it out.
So I went back to my usual types of shampoo (I go as natural as possible, and currently it's Carol's Daughter shampoo/conditioner, the Monoi version).
I experienced immediate relief, and in a couple of days my hair stopped falling out.

The other thing I would suggest is to massage your scalp with jojoba oil before you shampoo, letting the oils soak in a bit. No, this will not make you have more of a problem....this is actually balancing.

I think if you move away from the detergent shampoos (containing laureth sulfates) your scalp will thank you.
I don't think that shampooing daily is necessarily the problem.

Where do you get that oil? I've never heard of it.

cbu23

I have really fine really thin hair. I have no choice but to wash mine everyday because of how oily it will get. Here are some things i do...

-I color my hair (pretty much exactly what my natural color is, I just color it to strip moisture out of it)
-Use the hair care line "Big Sexy Hair". I use their shampoo, conditioner, volume gel, and root pump spray.
-When I need hairspray I use Rusk W8-less. It's the lightest hairspray ever.
-I always have dry shampoo on hand, but don't use that often...but is very handy to have around.
-I always use conditioner (your ends will be awful if you don't) but I'm sure to only use it on my ends and not get any on my scalp.
-I take biotin vitamins, makes your hair and nails grow stronger.

Hope some of this helps!!!

It does, thank you! I have always seen Big Sexy Hair and have been curious to try it, I just haven't for whatever reason...I'll give it a shot! Thanks!!

I like to buy everything on sale and with coupons, but I've learned that if I actually break down and buy the good stuff for my hair it tends to do better. My hairdresser used it once and I decided to give it a try. I keep some cheap stuff around for if I'm taking a shower after an afternoon workout and I won't be going anywhere or doing my hair. But for everyday work or leaving the house purposes...I use the good stuff!

paulaviki

Definitely dry shampoo in between washes. There is a brand called batiste in the UK which is great.

I have really find straight hair which gets greasy easily and the only thing which helps me is colouring my hair. Currently I'm bleach blonde and it makes my hair much more manageable and less greasy! I can wash it everyday and even use conditioner for damaged hair without it getting overloaded. It's not the solution for everyone but colour swells the hair so can add body to fine hair.

thelaurameister

Definitely dry shampoo in between washes. There is a brand called batiste in the UK which is great.

I have really find straight hair which gets greasy easily and the only thing which helps me is colouring my hair. Currently I'm bleach blonde and it makes my hair much more manageable and less greasy! I can wash it everyday and even use conditioner for damaged hair without it getting overloaded. It's not the solution for everyone but colour swells the hair so can add body to fine hair.

Do you know if that's true for all colors? I color my hair every 3-4 months and it doesn't do much for me I have never gone platinum blonde, though, so that's why I ask. That, and I use box dye (probably not the best idea, I know, but it's what I can afford)

MinMin97

Laura,

Jojoba oil is very common, and you can find it at the healthfood store, or at target etc...

paulaviki

Definitely dry shampoo in between washes. There is a brand called batiste in the UK which is great.

I have really find straight hair which gets greasy easily and the only thing which helps me is colouring my hair. Currently I'm bleach blonde and it makes my hair much more manageable and less greasy! I can wash it everyday and even use conditioner for damaged hair without it getting overloaded. It's not the solution for everyone but colour swells the hair so can add body to fine hair.

Do you know if that's true for all colors? I color my hair every 3-4 months and it doesn't do much for me I have never gone platinum blonde, though, so that's why I ask. That, and I use box dye (probably not the best idea, I know, but it's what I can afford)

All permanent colours swell the hair (that's how they work, they swell and open the cuticle to allow the colour pigment in) but I'd say its more noticeable on lighter blondes or bleach. I have been every colour and l didn't find it as noticeable when I was red or brown.

GeekyGoddess

*raises hand* also a victim of the thin greasy hair club. Lol! I can only wash mine every other day because if I do it more often my hair will fall out (I'm talking bald spots here). I use rusk shampoo and conditioner and in between washes I depend on dry shampoo. First I started with John Freida but then I tried Big Sexy Hair's version and have not looked back. I spray in, wait a few moments, and use my blow dryer, then I brush it through. In a pinch I'll use the corn starch version of J&J baby powder and that works good only doesn't last all day like the dry shampoo does. Definitely get to thy grocery store and get dry shampoo, it will change your life

saxmaniac

Wouldn't the extra conditioner make it worse? I appreciate your input, thank you very much, I just don't get the logic behind that, could you explain?? :flowerforyou:

Oddly enough, it doesn't make it worse.

I think the idea is that the greasiness you get is from your own scalp producing too much oil. And your scalp produces too much oil when it becomes too dried-out from shampoo, not too oily from conditioner. Using conditioner/water will carry away any excess oil, but not dry it out.

There's only so much your hair can absorb before the excess washes out... but your scalp can keep producing oil all day and now you can't rinse to excess out.

Who knows if this is right or not...

thelaurameister

*raises hand* also a victim of the thin greasy hair club. Lol! I can only wash mine every other day because if I do it more often my hair will fall out (I'm talking bald spots here). I use rusk shampoo and conditioner and in between washes I depend on dry shampoo. First I started with John Freida but then I tried Big Sexy Hair's version and have not looked back. I spray in, wait a few moments, and use my blow dryer, then I brush it through. In a pinch I'll use the corn starch version of J&J baby powder and that works good only doesn't last all day like the dry shampoo does. Definitely get to thy grocery store and get dry shampoo, it will change your life

And I can get dry shampoo pretty much anywhere? I've looked for it before, but couldn't find it...Granted, I didn't scour all the aisles or anything, but I browsed the beauty section at a few places. What does it look like? I typically shop at Walmart, do they have it too?

thelaurameister

Wouldn't the extra conditioner make it worse? I appreciate your input, thank you very much, I just don't get the logic behind that, could you explain?? :flowerforyou:

Oddly enough, it doesn't make it worse.

I think the idea is that the greasiness you get is from your own scalp producing too much oil. And your scalp produces too much oil when it becomes too dried-out from shampoo, not too oily from conditioner. Using conditioner/water will carry away any excess oil, but not dry it out.

There's only so much your hair can absorb before the excess washes out... but your scalp can keep producing oil all day and now you can't rinse to excess out.

Who knows if this is right or not...

Actually that does make sense now. Thanks!

Live4More

When I was younger I would wash my hair in the morning and it would be oily by the evening. One thing that I found that helped me was to do a final rinse in COLD water. It closes up the pores and delayed the oiliness somewhat. Don't know if this would give you much help as you are talking a 2-day period, but it's worth a try.

thelaurameister

When I was younger I would wash my hair in the morning and it would be oily by the evening. One thing that I found that helped me was to do a final rinse in COLD water. It closes up the pores and delayed the oiliness somewhat. Don't know if this would give you much help as you are talking a 2-day period, but it's worth a try.

I will definitely be giving that a shot, can't hurt to try, right? Thanks!!