Whether you’ve heard it from your grandmother or read it in some magazine, the benefits of oiling hair are prescribed as a solution for everything from lifeless tresses, damaged ends to stress relief. You’ve probably received this bit of hair advice from a ton of people—mothers, grandmothers, relatives, friends, doctors, maybe even a stranger or two. Let’s know the benefits of oiling your hair.
The benefits of oiling hair :
1. It strengthens the hair
Oiling hair has “a multi-dimensional effect”, says Dr Rohini Wadhwani of Skin Essentials, “It helps by increasing the tensile strength of the hair, reducing the frizziness and preventing breakage.”
2. It protects the hair from heat damage
The oil, by coating the hair, forms a protective layer for the hair shaft. Especially useful when people blow-dry their hair and other procedures are done to the hair, it becomes very brittle and fragile.
3. It stimulates hair growth
Beyond the product itself, the massaging technique used when applying oil also has a litany of benefits. It increases or stimulates of the circulation of blood to the scalp, helps to bring the nutrients to the scalp, which then works by nourishing the hair.
4. It hydrates the hair and prevents frizz
Oils like castor oil and olive oil that are rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids are able to create a physical barrier around the hair cells, preventing moisture loss which can leave strands looking dull and dry.
5. Nourishes Your Hair
One of the main daily oiling hair benefits is that different oils possess minerals and vitamins essential to hair health. Almond oil has Vitamins B, K and E, Olive oil has Vitamins B12, B6, B3 and Vitamin K as well as Vitamin E. These are all essential to hair maintenance because of the deterioration your hair faces when it is exposed to the elements.
6. Prevents Hair Fall
A hair oil massage once a week is extremely important to your hair health. This is because hair oil massage benefits include exfoliation of the scalp, cleaning of dead skin and nourishing and revitalizing fine hair. All this helps prevent hair fall.
7. Reduces Risk of Lice
Lice are attracted to a dry flaky scalp. They are also attracted to the bacteria caused due to the dead skin on your scalp. Different oils prevent the dryness and also remove dead skin and exfoliate the skin. Some hair oils like olive oil have anti-bacterial properties too, and a combination of these factors help prevent hair lice.
8. Prevents Dandruff
Like with lice, dandruff is attracted to an overtly dry and sweaty scalp, this can be difficult because dust and pollution can cause the dryness. Applying castor oil three nights a week overnight can help prevent dead skin cell build-up which is another reason for dandruff.
9. Strengthens Roots
By applying hair oil on your scalp regularly, it exfoliates the skin and removes harmful toxins from your hair. This clears hair follicles of harmful bacteria and strengthens your roots immensely. Additionally, applying hair oil also replenishes lost minerals and vitamins to your hair and scalp which also strengthens roots.
10. Prevents Bacterial Infections
Most hair oils have anti-bacterial properties; these oils when applied on the scalp can help prevent dangerous bacterial infections caused by exposure to the elements. Another cause of bacterial infections is residual bacteria from dead skin and hair, and hair oils help remove this from your scalp.
11. Prevents Anti-fungal Infections
Like with anti-bacterial properties, most oils have anti-fungal properties. These properties keep fungus growth away and keep fungal infections at bay. It is important to remember that fungal infections grow due to excess moisture, oiling and shampooing regularly can help balance the moisture levels on your scalp and hair.
12. Enhances blood circulation
One of the most important benefits of regular hair oil massage is that it improves and even enhances our blood circulation around the scalp area. Since the oil spreads evenly to almost all the corners of your scalp, the root of your hair manages to get the nutrients it rightly deserves.
How to oil your hair –
1. Before you start oiling your hair, brush it so that you get rid of all the knots and tangles. This will make the process of oil application easy.
2. Section your hair into two parts for easy application. Split your hair right down the middle of your scalp. Pull one section over your left shoulder and the other over your right shoulder.
3. Pour about one teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil on your palm and rub your hands together to spread it well. Using your fingertips work it into your scalp thoroughly. Use circular motions to work the oil into the roots of your hair, use your fingertips to stimulate the scalp.
4. Move in a consistent pattern and try to cover the entire scalp area. Do not neglect the back of your head. The area behind your ears and the area just above the nape also needs attention. Massage well in these areas.
5. Each time you need to add one teaspoon of oil and work it into the scalp, so that it does not result in a dripping mess. Now that you have covered the entire scalp, start the application through the length of your hair. Take some oil, rub it onto your palms and run your hands through the length of your hair.
6. Massage your hair and scalp for about 10-15 minutes, comb your hair so that the oil spreads evenly and then tie your hair. Let the oil penetrate into your scalp for 30 minutes. You can also leave this overnight, but do not leave it on for more than 24 hours as your hair will start attracting dirt. Wash off the oil in the morning with a mild shampoo.
In the rushed routine of the modern woman’s daily life, hair care often doesn’t get the priority it deserves. Panicking over hair fall, worried about premature greying, we buy packaged products that promise wonders, or just settle for cosmetic salon treatments. But since hair matters – most women’s self-confidence is tied to the state of their hair – it’s wise to devote some time to its health.