You May Be Oiling Your Hair Wrong
Beauty Writer Manavi Siddhanti Tells You Dos And Don’ts Of Oiling
When it comes to hair, our traditions are steeply rooted in the tradition of oiling. Most of our childhood years (including mine) had fun-filled champi sessions. But time went by, and most of us adopted serums for oils, started colouring our hair or just getting addicted to a hair straightener. However, oiling your hair is not only relaxing but also hydrates your hair to counter damage from excessive styling, chemical and sulphate-laden shampoos and color.
Today, I’m going to take you through basics of oiling, oils most commonly used and few dos and don’ts of oiling your hair at home. Let’s get started!
What Are The Benefits Of Oiling Your Hair?
- Relaxing: First up, it’s a great feeling. There’s nothing more relaxing than those drops of lukewarm oil hitting those spots on your head.
- Increases Blood Circulation: The act of massaging the oil into the scalp helps pump up the blood circulation, which in turn can promote hair growth. Please read this again: oiling your hair doesn’t guarantee hair growth unless using castor oil mixed with coconut oil. That too, is a slow process.
- A scalp massage also helps ward off bacterial and fungal infections.
- Oiling your hair keeps your strands hydrated and moisturised.
5 Most Common Oils Used Globally
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a staple in both North India and South India, it’s one of the most commonly used oils and for a good reason. Coconut oil is antibacterial, antifungal and is also a powerhouse of fatty acids that help nourish your hair.
- EVOO Or Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Lighter than coconut oil, EVOO or Extra Virgin Olive Oil is mostly useful for lending that softness to your hair. Some studies show that the molecules are too big and may keep sitting on the follicle, leading to lesser absorption.
- Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet almond oil is a little expensive than others, but great for dry hair. It’s much lighter in texture, so it gets absorbed quickly. Use it a hair mask with avocado or a heavier oil like olive oil.
- Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil is an essential oil, like tea tree oil which is specifically beneficial for fungal infections like dandruff.
Dos & Dont’s Of Oiling Your Hair
- Oil your hair with a clean scalp. So instead of applying oil to your hair on day 3, apply it earlier or clean out your scalp with dry shampoo so that the oil has a chance to get absorbed. Try to avoid applying oil on a dirty scalp, especially if you’re low on time. On the contrary, your hair will only feel weighed down.
- Avoid vigorous oil massages on your roots and strands. This breaks a lot of hair and may cause more hair to fall when shampooing your hair. Focus on the scalp by taking the oil on your fingertips and massaging your scalp for up to 20 minutes. Use a cotton ball to gently drop lukewarm oil onto your scalp and use the tips of your fingers to apply it in circular motions.
- Take a small amount of oil when oiling your hair at home. The more you apply, the more time it’ll take to wash it off which it’ll ultimately cause overdrying your hair. Remember, less is more.
- Use a hot towel. Heat in the form of a hot towel or warm hair oil equals increased chances of oil absorption. So if you can, use a hot towel to make the most out of it.
- Oil your hair at least once every 7-10 days. If you’re not comfortable oiling your hair like me, use a serum which usually combines 2 or more oils. It can help tackle dryness and also protect your hair from heat damage.
- Wash your hair thoroughly with a clarifying shampoo or a sulphate-free shampoo. This way, double washing shouldn’t strip your hair of that hydration. Finish with a cold water rinse to close off those cuticles.
- Use an old cotton T-shirt or a soft towel to dry your hair.
Also read
HAIR CARE ROUTINE- GET RID OF DANDRUFF AND HAIR FALL
10 Home remedies for Hair fall and Regrowth
Fenugreek Hair mask for dandruff, hair loss, smooth shiny hair & split ends
The Benefits of Different Hairfall Treatment Options
Top Home Remedies To Prevent and Stop Premature Graying Of Hair| DIY Hair masks for Dry hair
6 Effective Home Remedies for Hair Growth and thickness that works
Mamaearth Happy Heads Hair Shampoo Review
Satthwa Argan Oil Shampoo review | Sulphate free| For all hair type
About The Author:
Manavi Siddhanti is a Delhi based content creator and founder of www.beforbeauty.com. She has worked as a Beauty Editor at India Today Group and POPxo.
