Hair that’s waxy to the touch is a sign that something is wrong somewhere. According to celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis, per Marie Claire, several factors can cause this.
Products like leave-in conditioner, hairspray, and gels can build up on your scalp and attract dust, lint, entrap your natural sebum and sweat, and cause dandruff and oily hair.
To combat product buildup, use a clarifying shampoo to strip your hair of dirt. Loosely textured hair's natural oils will accumulate quickly and will require more frequent washing.
Hair strands coated by substances like sulfate can also cause waxy hair. Avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is damaging to hair.
If your scalp is caked in buildup, it will definitely affect the way your hair grows. Try triple-washing your hair to thoroughly cleanse your scalp and ensure the gunk is gone.