- There is no such thing as hair that is “too greasy” to dye.
- All hair can be dyed, no matter how greasy it is.
- In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know before you dye your greasy hair.
- We’ll also look at the 4 most common mistakes when dyeing hair that is too greasy.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: If my hair is greasy, should I wash it before I dye it?
Hi!
Do you have overly greasy hair and were wondering if you can dye it?
You’ve come to the right place.
As I was saying, it doesn’t matter if your hair is too greasy: you can dye it without any problem.
In this article, I’ll tell you a little more about your greasy scalp so you can dye it and show it off in the best way.
Let’s go!
Tabla de Contenidos
Do you have hair that’s too greasy? This will interest you
One very important thing I would like to make clear to you is that there is no such thing as greasy hair: it’s the scalp that’s oily.
Did you already know that?
Hair is impregnated with oil from the scalp, especially at the roots.
If you go several days without washing your hair, the oil will travel from the roots to the ends and give your hair a flattened, split, dull, and dirty-looking appearance.
Everyone’s scalp, to a greater or lesser extent, produces sebum, which would be the equivalent of water in a pot to keep a plant alive. Is that really true?
That’s right.
Sebum keeps the scalp hydrated so hair can grow strong and healthy.When there is excessive sebum production, we say that the hair is oily, or greasy.
But excess oil doesn’t prevent the application of the dye , as I will tell you below.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: I haven’t washed my hair in 4 days, can I dye it?
Is dyeing normal hair the same as dyeing very greasy hair?
Yes, it’s exactly the same. Do you know how it works?
The oxidant forms an alkaline field that opens the hair cuticles, thus allowing the artificial pigment of the dye to penetrate inside the hair fiber.
No matter how dirty or greasy the hair is, the dye will still penetrate.
Your stylist will always advise you not to wash your hair 24 to 48 hours before applying the dye (this is good if you have a normal scalp), so that the hair’s natural oil protects the scalp from the dye chemicals. So what’s the difference?
If you have an especially oily scalp, you can apply the dye without having to wait those 48 hours since the last wash.
The 4 most common mistakes when dyeing very greasy hair
- Mistake 1: Washing your hair before applying dye. Having your scalp completely clean will leave it without the natural protection provided by the oil.
If you wash your hair, then when you apply the dye, you may feel an itchy or burning scalp.
- Mistake 2: Applying a stronger oxidizer because you have excess oiliness.
Don’t do it, because it won’t solve anything. It will also modify your chosen shade and can dry out your hair fiber.
- Mistake 3: Prolonging the exposure of the dye for longer than indicated.
It won’t solve anything either and the shade of the dye might even end up darker, but it won’t help with the greasiness.
- Mistake 4: Applying astringent products before applying the dye. Avoid these, as they could cause your scalp to dry out. Then the application of the dye would be detrimental.
Finally, if you’re undergoing any preventive treatment for scalp oiliness, avoid dyeing, or consult with a specialist to find out what the possible solutions are. You may be able to opt for tone-on-tone, eco-friendly dyes, etc.
2 tips for dyeing very greasy hair
- If your sebum production is excessive, wash your hair 12 to 24 hours before applying the dye.
In that time, you’ll quickly develop that important layer of sebum again so your scalp is protected. But it won’t be so excessive as to complicate the proper application of the dye.
- Once you rinse the dye out, wash your hair with shampoo, and avoid using detanglers or conditioners, as these products can raise excess sebum levels.
If your hair is extra long, try applying conditioner to the ends only, to help detangle your hair. Make sure the product doesn’t touch your scalp.
If you have very greasy hair, maybe it’s for one of these 2 reasons
- Reason 1: Some substances such as styling creams, dust in the air, or pollution can build up in the hair and make it look even more greasy and lifeless.
- Reason 2: Diets high in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats can increase oil production in the skin and make your hair oily. Without a doubt, a bad diet can affect your hair.
In some severe cases, such as seborrheic dermatitis, hair loss (seborrheic alopecia) can also result from the accumulation of sebum on the scalp.
Although there is no “cure” for greasy hair, you can keep it under control. How? By using the right care products and washing it frequently. What if the problem persists?
If the problem persists, it’s best to make an appointment with a dermatologist to find the cause and get the right treatment.
Conclusion: There is no such thing as greasy hair that can’t be dyed due to excess greasiness
As we’ve seen in this article, having excessively greasy hair does not prevent the dye from penetrating the hair fiber normally.
In all my years of experience in the hair salon, I have had to deal with 2 types of people.
Those who really suffered from a severe problem of excess sebum on the scalp and people who simply did not wash their hair for long periods of time.
In either case, even if you have super greasy hair the dye reacts exactly the same as on a person with a normal scalp. So you can dye your hair with all the peace of mind in the world.
Go for it!