Greasy Short Hair

Woman with a pixie cut, wearing satin pajamas
Image: AI illustration
Q: I've noticed that my hair always gets really greasy overnight, and then I wake up with oily hair in the morning, which I hate. Is short hair more prone to getting oily compared to long hair? I used to have long hair, but I cut it short a couple of months ago. Since then, it feels oilier than it used to after a night's sleep.
 
I love my pixie cut, but I'm struggling with the greasiness. Do you have any suggestions on how I can take care of this? Is there anything you would recommend to help keep my hair from getting so oily overnight? I already wash my hair often, so I'm sure I'm keeping it as clean as I should, and I never go to bed with my hair dirty.
 
A: This is a common concern for people who have short hair. The answer to this question lies in the natural oils produced by your scalp and the length of your hair. Thus, actually, you yourself already indicated the cause of your new problem in your question: your hair length change. It is a fact that short hair tends to get greasier faster than longer hair.
 
It's important to understand the role that your scalp plays in the production of natural hair oils. Your scalp has sebaceous glands that produce sebum, which is an oily substance that protects your hair and scalp. This oil is essential for keeping your hair healthy. However, when your scalp produces too much sebum, it can build up and make your hair look and feel greasy.
 
You wrote that your hair is greasy after sleeping. It's not like your hair gets greasy faster while sleeping. What you see upon waking is the accumulation of the grease that was produced during the day, which was perhaps only slightly visible at bedtime, and then the new grease that was produced while sleeping.
 
There are several possible reasons why your new short haircut gets greasy faster than your long hair:
 
• One of the main reasons why your shorter hair gets greasier faster is due to its length and proximity to your scalp. Unlike your longer hair, which helped to spread the natural oils along the hair shaft, your short hair doesn't have that same benefit. There is less hair length to absorb the oil, so it doesn't have anywhere to go. As a result, the oils tend to sit on your scalp and the short hair strands and can quickly accumulate, leading to that greasy look and feel.
 
• Short hair can also be more prone to oiliness because it often lies close to the scalp. This means that the full hair length is constantly in contact with the natural oils produced by the scalp, oils that can easily transfer onto the hair. The ends of long hair, on the other hand, have little to no contact with the scalp, so there is less of a chance of direct transfer of oils to this part of the hair. This provides an extra benefit: there is more "clean" hair length that can soak up oils.
 
Woman with long hair, wearing satin pajamas
Image: AI illustration
• The frequency of washing your hair could also play a role. Many people with short hair tend to wash their hair every day. Due to the greasiness, but also because it is refreshing and easy to wash it along when showering, which is not the case with long hair. However, over-washing your hair can take away its natural oils. I have not yet found conclusive evidence for it myself, but it is said that over-washing can cause your scalp to overproduce oil in an attempt to compensate. This could create a vicious cycle.
 
• Another factor that can contribute to greasy hair is the use of hair styling products. Certain products can make hair more likely to be greasy. This is because the products can create a layer on the surface of your hair, which can trap oil and dirt, resulting in a buildup and a greasy look and feel. Additionally, hair products may contain oils or silicones that can accumulate on your scalp and hair, making it appear greasy. If you are using different hair products to style your new pixie cut, this could be part of your issue.
 
• People with newly-cut short hair often have an unconscious urge to touch their hair because they still have to get used to the new length and want to feel again and again how short it actually is. Also, when it's short, people often tend to "comb" their hair with their fingers. However, the natural oils and dirt from their hands can transfer onto the hair, adding to the greasiness. So, if you find yourself frequently touching your new short hair, it may be a factor in why it gets so greasy.
 
Woman with sleek hair in a chin length bob, wearing satin pajamas
Image: AI illustration
Solution:
 
Growing your hair back longer may be the best solution to your oiliness problem, but since you wrote that you love your pixie cut, this may not be an option. But if you're willing to let your hair grow back a bit, a chin-length bob might be something to consider. It still has the freshness of a short haircut, but with a bit more hair length to distribute the oils.
 
While a pixie cut can certainly be a fun and comfortable haircut, it sometimes requires a bit more maintenance when it comes to managing oiliness. Here are a few tips, but it's important to remember that everyone's hair is different, and what works for one person may not work for someone else.
 
• Use less hair product. Using too much styling product can make your hair more prone to getting greasy. Try to only use the amount of product that you really need to style your pixie cut.
 
• Wash your hair regularly, but only when it is absolutely necessary. This may give your scalp a chance to balance its oil production.
 
• Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of buildup from too much hair oils and hair products.
 
• Consider using a dry shampoo occasionally instead of washing your hair.
 
• Avoid frequently touching your hair throughout the day.
 
I hope my answer will help you wake up in the morning with fresh hair that doesn't feel greasy and enjoy your pixie cut to its fullest!
 
See also: Causes and solutions for oily hair
 
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