If you have ever wondered why does my hair feel waxy, then you are not alone. The majority of people who have experienced this have found it a little hard to deal with. The good thing is that you have landed on the right page.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the most common reasons why hair feels waxy and also the solutions. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the article, we will look at what causes waxy hair.
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What Causes Greasy, Waxy Hair?
There are a number of reasons why your strands may feel waxy. The most common reason is the accumulation of natural oils on the scalp. The sebaceous glands are responsible for the secretion of natural oils to lubricate the scalp.
When the sebaceous glands secrete exuberantly, it can be a reason why you feel waxy. These glands are also responsible for the secretion of sebum which is a natural skin moisturizing factor.
The other causes of greasy hair after shower include:
- Topical oils: Have you ever applied oil to your locks? If yes, you will definitely agree that hair feels waxy after some time. This is because once the oil is absorbed by the hair shaft, it feels sticky and waxy.
- Topical lotions: If you are fond of using lotion, then you are at a high risk of having waxy hair.
- Hair products: Some products like pomades and gels contain a lot of wax which can affect the feel of your hair.
- Lifestyle: Some people are at a high risk of having waxy hair because of their lifestyle. I know of people who smoke and drink a lot, and they keep having waxy hair.
- Medications: Many medications can make your locks feel waxy. Some of these include blood thinners, hormonal birth control, high blood pressure medications, and anabolic steroids. If you are taking medication, you should talk to your doctor about how it might affect your locks.
- Stress: Stress can have a negative impact on your health. It can cause a lot of things, including a waxy build-up on your hair. It can also cause hair loss and thinning. If you’re under a lot of stress, you should talk to your doctor about how you can manage it.
- Excessive use of hot styling tools: When you use hot styling tools, you can damage hair. This can cause a lot of things, including a waxy build-up on your hair. When you use hot styling tools, you should apply a heat protectant to your strands. This will help to prevent damage and keep your locks looking fabulous.
Anything you put on your strands can make it feel waxy. It can even be the shampoo you use or the conditioner, or the hair product. Sometimes it is the heat in the hair drier that causes the waxy feel. It is best to do away with hair products and see if that makes a difference.
How To Remove Waxy Buildup From Hair
If your hair feels waxy after washing it, you can follow the steps below to find out what’s causing the problem and how to deal with it.
Step 1: Check your products
If you’re using a sulfate-free shampoo or any other “green” shampoo product, it can sometimes leave a coating on your hair that can make it feel waxy. Switch to a more traditional shampoo to see if that’s the cause of the problem.
Try to avoid products that use alcohol as well, as they can leave a waxy feeling on your hair.
Step 2: Consider your hair type
If you’ve previously been using hair care products that are designed for people with oily strands, that can make your strands feel waxy.
If you’ve recently changed products or are trying something new, try washing your head with your old product to see if that’s the cause of the problem.
If that doesn’t help, you can try switching to a different brand or type to see if one of those helps.
Step 3: Use products with silicones
If your hair feels waxy after washing, you can try using products containing silicone to see if that helps. Silicones basically coat your locks, so they can fill in any gaps in your hair cuticles, making them smooth and soft.
Step 4: Use heat protection products
If you’re using a flat iron or a curling iron to style your hair, you can dull your cuticles, which can make locks feel waxy. Try using a heat protection spray or serum before styling your hair, or use a heat protection mask after washing your head.
Step 5: Add extra conditioner
Did you know that the waxy feeling can sometimes be caused by your shampoo not being able to remove all of your hair oils? If you’ve been using your shampoo to wash your head, and you’re not using a conditioner as well, try using an extra conditioner to help make your locks less oily.
Step 6: Try washing your hair less often
If you wash your head too often, it can leave your cuticles open and dry, which can make your locks feel waxy. Try washing your hair less often and use dry shampoo in between washes.
Step 7: Wash your hair twice
Another reason may be that your scalp produces too much oil. If you’re using a shampoo that contains sulfates or fragrance, you may want to consider switching to a sulfate-free shampoo and using a dry shampoo between washes.
You can also wash your hair twice before using the clarifying shampoo. This will cut down on the amount of oil in your locks, so the shampoo will be more effective.
Preventing Waxy Hair After Washing
There are some things you can do when you are trying to prevent your hair from getting waxy or sticky after you wash it.
- If you have dry hair, it is better to use a deep cleansing shampoo.
- Use a gentle shampoo that does not contain harsh chemicals – look for a shampoo that is sulfate-free or has low sulfates. This will help keep your strands from getting dry and brittle, and it will also help prevent waxy buildup.
- If you use a shampoo that contains sulfates, you will want to use a conditioner that is made for wavy or curly hair. This will help counteract the drying effect that sulfates have on your hair.
- Use a leave-in conditioner, so that your hair will be protected from the sun and other things that can cause waxy buildup.
- Moisturize your hair with a mask or oil. This will prevent the moisture from evaporating and will keep your locks from getting dry and waxy.
- Regularly clean hairbrushes and combs to remove excess hair and oils. Wash them in hot, soapy water.
- Change your diet. If you consume a lot of fish, eggs, meat, and dairy products, you are creating a lot of excess estrogens. Estrogen is the hormone that causes the hair follicles on your head to be sensitive to the effects of DHT.
- These foods all contain a lot of protein, and when you consume too much protein, your body will convert it into estrogen. To prevent this, reduce the amount of fish, meat, eggs, and dairy products that you consume.
- Instead, eat more vegetables (especially cruciferous vegetables like cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflower) and legumes (such as beans and lentils).
Your hair is your crowning glory, and as such, it should be treated gently. Once you have learned how to get rid of waxy buildup from your hair, you will want to use these methods all of the time.
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Closing Thoughts
Every hair type is unique and different, so there is no one solution for everyone. The best way to find out what works for your hair is to test out different products (you can find some recommendations here) and see what works best for your hair. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
How do you get rid of waxy buildup? Share your story below!
