Imagine a centuries-old secret to luscious locks, passed down through generations like a treasured heirloom. That’s what hair oiling is all about. It’s a tried-and-true method that pampers your strands, making them strong, healthy, and oh-so-gorgeous!
Oiling your hair is like giving your hair a luxurious spa experience right at home. Let’s delve into the wonders of applying nourishing botanical oils to your scalp and strands, unlocking a world of benefits you might not even know to exist!
IS OILING GOOD FOR YOUR HAIR?
Absolutely! Oiling can be beneficial for your hair in several ways. It helps nourish and moisturise the scalp, which can promote healthier hair growth and reduce dryness. The natural botanical oils used also contain essential nutrients that can strengthen the hair shaft, prevent breakage, and add shine. Regular hair oiling, combined with gentle massage, can also improve blood and oxygen flow to the scalp, further promoting hair health.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND HAIR OILING
Sebum is a natural oil that is produced from the sebaceous glands in our scalp that helps maintain our hair health. Sebum is meant to help by moisturising and lubricating hair as a natural conditioner. But when it’s not produced in balanced amounts, hair feels extra greasy or super dry and flaky. This is where hair oiling can be helpful.
A quality hair oil will mimic the effects that natural sebum provides. Because we all produce sebum, hair oiling works for all hair types. When you coat the strands, it seals in the moisture instead of having it evaporate. This properly nourishes the hair deep within the strands and scalp.
BENEFITS OF OILING YOUR HAIR
Oiling your hair has so many benefits it is hard to imagine who wouldn't want to try it!
- Hydrating and Nourishing the Hair
One of the main benefits of hair oiling is the amount of moisture and hydration your hair gets. When applying hair oil, the product will form a protective barrier around the hair shaft. By sealing it in, the hair won’t lose any moisture due to evaporation. This also locks in important nutrients that the oil provides the hair.
- Stimulating Hair Growth
When you massage the hair oil into your scalp, not only are you letting the nutrients soak in, but you are also stimulating hair growth. The scalp massage promotes blood circulation that goes to the hair roots. This causes regeneration and growth while strengthening the hair strands.
- Strengthening Hair Strands
When the nutrients of hair oil coat the strands, they protect the hair from breaking off. Furthermore, when the strands that are growing from the top of the scalp are moisturised and full of nutrients from the beginning, they come out strong.
- Managing Split Ends and Breakage
Strong hair and hair growth come from managing your split ends and preventing breakage. When the strands are coated at the bottom, they are less likely to have breakage. A quality hair oil will impact all three layers of the hair strand, strengthening it from the inside out.
- Improved Scalp Health and Reduced Dandruff
It may feel counterintuitive to apply oil to a scalp that is dealing with dandruff. Some people have the misconception that you are adding more debris up there. But a healthy and hydrated scalp will reduce flaking and promote positive roots.
- Protecting Hair from Environmental Damage
The environment plays a big role in our hair. The wind, low humidity, and evaporation all lead to moisture loss. The sun and UVs also dry out our hair. Hair oiling offers a protective barrier from environmental factors that can dry it out.
BEST PRACTICES FOR OILING YOUR HAIR
Here are some best practices for oiling your hair to help you get the best results.
How Often to Oil Your Hair
It may take a little experimentation to figure out what is best suited for your hair type and scalp condition.
- Hair that is dry and brittle may want to consider using hair oil two to three times a week.
- If you have normal to oily hair, you can use it once a week or every other week.
- Dry and itchy scalps also lean towards two to three times a week for hair oiling.
Seasons may change the need for less or more hair oil. Dry and colder months may require a little more, whereas humid weather can do with a little less.
When you apply excess oil on your hair, it attracts a lot of dust to your hair and this dust also settles down on your scalp, not only does this clogs pores and creates excess oil on the scalp but it also increase your hair fall and causes dandruff.
Now when your scalp is not clean and has dust on it and when you pour oil and massage your scalp, the dust particles rub against the skin and damages it. In the long run this friction can create bald spots as well.
It’s also important to evaluate how well your hair absorbs oil. If you feel like it loses moisture quickly, you may want to up the frequency.
HOW LONG TO LEAVE THE OIL IN YOUR HAIR
This answer varies greatly depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Sometimes it is used as an after-wash treatment, while others use it as an overnight hair treatment. Hair oil can also be used as a leave-in solution or just as a hair mask.
The more hydration you need, the more likely you are to leave it in for longer times. Since hair and scalp conditions change during the year, the type of treatment you may use will change with it.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT OIL
Choosing the right oil for hair care involves understanding the lipid content and the presence of penetrating triglycerides. Coconut oil stands out because it has an optimal amount of triglyceride fats that can be effectively absorbed into the hair shaft, making it highly beneficial for deep conditioning. It can be left on the hair for 2-12 hours or even overnight for maximum effect.
Different oils have varying absorption rates into the cuticles: coconut oil (95%), olive oil (94%), sunflower oil (91%), and castor oil (15%). These percentages highlight how well each oil can penetrate and nourish the hair from within. Coconut oil’s high absorption rate makes it the top choice for most hair types, providing deep hydration and strengthening benefits
CONCLUSION
Incorporating hair oiling into your routine can be a transformative experience for your hair. This age-old practice, cherished across generations, offers numerous benefits from deep hydration to strengthening and protecting your strands. Whether you have dry, brittle hair or a scalp prone to dandruff, there’s a tailored approach to oiling that can suit your needs. By understanding the science behind hair oiling and selecting the right oils, you can nurture your hair, promoting its health and vitality. Embrace the tradition of hair oiling and unlock the secret to luscious, gorgeous locks. Visit www.root2tip.com for variety of haircare products.