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Letting your hair air dry could be making it look greasier, hair doctor warns
If you feel like your hair looks greasy a day after washing, the way you dry your locks could be to blame.
We spoke to a hair doctor, who explained that letting your hair dry on its own might be making it look more oily.
Air drying could make hair look greasier
“Air drying can actually make their hair appear greasier faster,” hair transplant surgeon Dr. Ross Kopelman told The Focus. “This is because when you allow your hair to air dry, moisture stays on your scalp for longer, which can mix with the natural oils and create a heavier, greasy look.”
This can be even more noticeable for people with fine hair as the hair tends to lie flat against the scalp, which emphasizes any oiliness.
“Blow drying, on the other hand, can help lift the hair away from the scalp, giving it more volume and helping it look fresher for longer,” he continued. “By quickly removing moisture, you reduce the chances of oil buildup on your scalp.”
Your hair gets greasy when sebaceous glands on your scalp produce an oily substance called sebum, John Frieda explains. The oil is absorbed by your hair and travels down the lengths, making it clump together and look greasy.
Some scalps produce more oil than others, which is why some people’s hair gets greasier quicker than others – and that’s just part of life. There’s nothing you do to change your sebum production, and you can’t train your hair not to get greasy.
However, some things do contribute to making hair greasier including touching it too often, using heavy styling products, applying conditioner to your roots, using dirty hairbrushes or towels, over-brushing and using product-saturated styling tools.
If your hair is excessively oily, this could be caused by a hormonal imbalance or an underlying health condition so it’s worth talking to a doctor.
How to blow dry your hair properly
To ensure your hair looks fresh for as long as possible and protect your locks from damage, it’s important to have a proper blow-drying routine.
Kopelman recommends starting by gently towel-drying the hair to remove excess water. This lowers the time it takes to dry the hair, which reduces the risk of heat damage.
Next, apply a heat protectant spray to shield the hair. A volumizing mousse or root-lifting spray can also help add volume and reduce the appearance of greasiness.
When you blow dry, use a medium heat setting and hold the dryer about six to eight inches away from the hair to limit damage while still effectively drying.
Finally, you need to blast cool air to close the hair cuticle, which locks in moisture and gives the hair a smooth, shiny finish.
“By following these tips, patients can maintain a healthier scalp and hair appearance, reducing the greasiness that often comes with air drying,” he said.
Dr. Ross Kopelman is a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration in New York. He gained his medical degree from Touro University and focuses on hair restoration solutions for both men and women.
