Benefits of hair oiling involves pouring oil into the hair and massaging it into the scalp to increase moisture and shine. Hair oil can soften hair and provide vitamins and minerals that are washed out with frequent washing.
This practice has remained used in India for centuries and is optional in Ayurvedic medicine.
Hair oiling has spread beyond Ayurvedic practices. And it is used by many to maintain the health and shine of their hair. And it can even reduce hair loss, according to some experts.
There are also specific techniques for oiling your hair and different oils that you can use for particular benefits.
Growing up in India, most of my schoolgirl Sunday nights were spent putting oil in my hair. My mother was pulling out the blue bottle of Parachute Coconut Hair Oil, a staple in most Indian households. She then proceeded to give each of my sisters and me head massages, one by one. It was a sweet and caring way of showing that she cared about us.
When I left my parents’ house to go to college, it became a weekly ritual with my roommates. We gladly volunteered to take turns oiling our hair.
While many South Asian women and I oil our hair as a cultural tradition, there is a good deal of science behind this practice.
How to Oil your Hair?
Massaging the oil into the scalp upsurges blood flow, improving hair growth. Applying oil to the scalp can also prevent dandruff.
Follow these steps to test hair oil:
Apply oil to the scalp and massage with fingertips in circular motions.
Apply the oil left in your palms to your hair.
Cover with a towel or bath cap and leave on overnight.
The next day, shampoo your hair while it’s dry. Rinse well.
Normal state. You can also use coconut oil as a conditioner.
Benefits of Oiling Hair
Oils are essential in caring for hair against everyday wear and tear. Oiling the hair regularly reduces hydra fatigue or the swelling and dryness of the hair. The oils protect the follicle from surfactants by filling the space between the cuticle cells.
“The oil helps with scalp health. When you gently massage the scalp, it aids in exfoliation and sometimes helps reduce hair loss,” says Dr Khushboo Garodia.
Also, Garodia is a certified trichologist for hair and scalp skills. She explains that the oils contain fatty acids that help replace the lipids in the hair, which are lost by chemical treatments, combing or even pollution.
“Lipids play a huge role in how healthy hair looks and feels, and they help maintain the shine and shine of the hair.”
According to Garodia, the oil helps to strengthen the hair shaft, especially in the case of frizzy and dry hair. It is most beneficial when the oil is left on the hair overnight.
What oil Should you Use?
The oil you use will depend on the needs of your hair.
“Different types of oils contain different vitamins…and with the direct application of these oils, the hair shaft becomes stronger,” says Garodia.
Remember that it may be worth testing when using oil on your scalp to ensure you don’t have an allergy. Do a patch test before using oil on your hair for a complete treatment.
Used oils can include:
Coconut
Sesame
Almond
Jaborandi
Argan tree
Moringa
Bhringraj
Amla