Why Does My Hair Feel Waxy

November 11, 2024 by Mani Pandey

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Generally, the body feels fresh and hair soft and silky after a shower. But what if your hair feels waxy and dirty after showering?

One reason could be that you have not washed the hair properly, which has led to wax buildup, but unfortunately, it is not the same. There are several reasons why the hair feels waxy, and we are here to provide all of them. You will also learn how to get rid of this annoying problem.

Continue reading!

Article Contains

Why Does My Hair Feel Waxy?

Seborrhea
Hair Tools
Hair Texture
Shampoo
Conditioner
Product Residue
Water Quality
Washing Hair Frequently
How To Control Getting Waxy Hair?

Why Does My Hair Feel Waxy?

Here are some of the most common reasons that could give waxy texture to the hair-

1. Seborrhea

Seborrhea is a skin condition where the scalp gets red and itchy, and hair feels waxy. It happens when the sebaceous glands in the scalp excrete excess oil that continues building up and creating a waxy layer on the hair. Such a condition welcomes yeast infections that can be more irritating. Hormonal imbalance is the major reason behind seborrhoea.

2. Hair Tools

If you brush your hair excessively after showering or use tools like combs, or brushes, it may collect sebum and dust over time. Likewise, when the hair is not washed properly, and shampoo or conditioner is still there, the hair will get waxy. Also, using a dirty towel for drying hair could cause this issue.

3. Hair Texture

Some hair textures, like straight and fine hair, tend to stick to oil and dirt easily and get waxy more often than other textures.

4. Shampoo

If the hair seems greasy after washing, it could be because of the shampoo you use. Some shampoos have oils like coconut oil and rosemary oil that are beneficial but make the hair feel greasy and waxy after each wash.
Likewise, shampoos with a high amount of chemicals, basically, surfactants deep clean the hair, extracting all the hair’s natural oils. This activates sebaceous glands to produce more oil as an emergency response, leading to waxy hair.

5. Conditioner

Many people do not use conditioners in the correct ways. It should be applied only on the hair ends and never on the roots. Applying conditioner on the scalp clogs the pores, leading to a buildup of oil residue that eventually results in waxy hair. Make sure you use the right conditioner for your hair type. For instance, if you have thick and straight hair, use only a lightweight conditioner.

6. Product Residue

We use a lot of products as hair care treatments. The residue of those products- be it a serum, hair masks, heat protectant, or dry shampoo could lead to waxy hair. Therefore, apply only the right amount of these products as the excess of these can make hair greasy. Similarly, rinse well after using shampoos and conditioners to avoid the problem.

7. Water Quality

If you think a hot shower will clean your hair deeply, you are wrong. On the contrary, hot water makes the scalp dehydrated. It absorbs all the moisture, making the hair frizzy and brassy. Washing hair with hard water constantly strips the oils from the hair strands and will not allow them to absorb moisture. All this leads to a waxy feeling.

8. Washing Hair Frequently

If you wash your hair everyday thinking they get waxy, you are dehydrating the scalp unknowingly. It activates the sebaceous glands, leading them to produce more oil. If your hair feels waxy after showering, do not wash them every day. Instead, you can use dry shampoo.

How To Control Getting Waxy Hair?

The five best and most effective ways to control getting waxy hair include the following-
Change your shampoo- There are chances that the formulation of your shampoo is not suitable for your hair type. You can pick the shampoos that consist of formulas with capryl glucoside. They exfoliate the hair and do not strip the natural oils.

Try DIY Remedies– Some household products like green tea and black tea can be used to remove the waxy residue from hair. Rinse the hair with these teas after showering.

Change your conditioner– Use lightweight shampoo and apply them only on hair strands. Do not apply conditioner on the scalp for the best result.

Keep your hair care tools clean– Anything that touches your hair- it could be a hairbrush, towel, caps, etc., should be clean.

Rinse your hair well– There should be no shampoo and conditioner residue left on the scalp and hair after washing. Rinse well to avoid hair that feels sticky and greasy.

Conclusion

Waxy hair is a common problem because we often make mistakes while taking care of our hair. Try making a few changes in your hair care routine, as it will help you understand the reasons behind your hair getting waxy.
For example, applying apple cider vinegar to your scalp and leaving it for about fifteen minutes may help reduce the waxy feeling of hair. You can also try mixing freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and applying it to your hair as a mask for twenty minutes.

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