There are so many hair care products today that we often feel a bit puzzled when we try to figure out how each of those balms, oils or hair masks should be used.
However, being aware of this is very important!
Even the most beneficial and useful hair care products may turn into harmful ones if we apply them improperly, doing it too frequently or using too large amounts of the product.
And since one of the most popular hair care products that we have on the market today is hair oil, most of you definitely want to know how to apply it correctly and what pros and cons there are about using this product.
So in this article, we will try to answer these questions for you in detail.
But also, you will learn what makes hair oil so beneficial for our strands, and how you could choose the best hair oil that will give the most of it to your hair.
How Often Should Your Hair Be Oiled?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions that women have when they decide to start using hair oil.
This product is very beneficial for our locks indeed, but like any other hair care product, it will show its useful features only if you use it correctly. So how often should your hair be oiled?
Well, the frequency of hair oil application mostly depends on how often your hair is washed. Also, it does matter a lot what you are planning to use the hair oil on your mane for.
For example, we can apply hair oil to make our mane stronger and healthier. Or, as an option, this product can be used for boosting hair growth.
Finally, hair oils are also used for nourishing the tresses, as well as for treating their current condition. This is why the typical answer to this question will be “it depends”.
Below, we will explain two major types of hair oiling to you. Like that, you will be able to see the difference and decide which type of this procedure is more suitable and needed for your mane.
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Oiling Your Scalp
This is the first type of hair oil application. This type of hair oiling is basically focused on either hair growth or treatment of dandruff.
For hair growth, peppermint, castor oil, rosemary or burdock oils are generally those that we use more than others.
And the easiest rule of thumb for you here is the following: apply the oil you choose once a week before going to bed, better one day ahead of your wash day.
However, if your hair-washing cycle is longer than a week, you might want to reduce the frequency in order to align with the frequency of your hair washing.
By the way, did you know that scalp oiling is often done as a dandruff treatment? No? Well, now you know!
If you suffer from dandruff (which may often be a result of a fungal infection!), we recommend you use a few drops of tea tree oil – five drops per one tablespoon of carrier oil – as a remedy. As a carrier oil, feel free to use olive oil, sweet almond oil, avocado or coconut oil.
Moreover, you can make use of other oils as well that are specially designed for getting rid of dandruff! Those oils usually have high terpenoid content which makes them more powerful since it helps penetration into the fatty cell membrane of bacteria and fungi.
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Oiling Hair Lengths
This is another type of hair oil application. Unlike the first one, this type means that the oil is going to be applied along the length of your hair, but not onto the scalp.
You can oil your hair lengths right after you take a shower, after towel-drying your hair. In this case, the water that still remains in your hair will help emulsify the oils.
As a result, it will improve lathering, application as well as oil penetration into the hair shaft.
The first stage is to start with a few drops on the very ends of your hair. Depending on your hair density and length, you can always add more. However, since getting rid of the extra grease is a lot harder, start with a small amount!
The second time you should oil your mane is the night before you wash it. It will leave your hair feeling soft and nourished after washing it. You can also combine scalp oiling with the lengths’ oil application too – therefore, we would suggest you apply a few different types of oils across your hair and scalp.
Depending on the length of your hair washing cycle, it is also ok if you apply a few drops of oil in between the washes if the ends of your hair feel too dry.
Simply spray your ends with water and then apply a few drops of your favorite oil after. This will help keep the ends of your locks well nourished.
Be careful not to over-oil your hair though! Excessive oil attracts grease and dust, which means that you would have to wash your hair more often. As a result, it can lead to brittleness and dry or even split ends.
So, now you know how often your hair should be oiled and what two major types of hair oil applications exist.
Since now you are aware of these nuances, you will be able to define which type of oil application suits you best and what oils would be more handy for your hair depending on their state and condition.
Related: Straightening Hair With Coconut Oil
What Benefits Does Oiling Hair Have?
Some of you might be wondering what makes oil so beneficial for our hair that it is recommended to include this product into our daily hair care routine.
See, nourishing your hair with oil is like keeping your body healthy and nourished with food. You should “feed” your hair with oil regularly to make sure your strands stay healthy, thick, and glossy!
In addition, oiling prevents hydral fatigue of your hair and reduces the hair damage caused by chemical products. However, these are not the only benefits that oil can give to your mane!
- Oil adds nutrients and vitamins to the scalp and hair follicles
- It strengthens your hair follicles and promotes hair growth
- Oil contributes to lustrous hair
- It reduces frizz
- Your hair roots become better nourished and the mane remains soft and hydrated
- Essential oils like tea tree oil and rose oil target specific scalp and skin issues
- Works as an anti-dandruff product
- Prevents premature graying of hair
- Offer stress relief
- Reduces the risk of lice!
- Fights hair fall
So no wonder that so many ladies now add this product to their daily hair care routine. This is a simple and cheap way to keep your strands lustrous and healthy longer.
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What Mistakes Do People Make When Oiling Their Hair?
It may seem that applying oil to your hair is simple: just squirt a few drops of it and work them into your tresses.
However, such a seemingly simple procedure also has certain rules and regulations that quite many of us don’t even have an idea of!
This is why we are going to provide you with the list of the most frequent mistakes that can be made when applying oil to your hair.
Don’t comb your hair right after oiling it
Your hair is vulnerable and prone to breakage at this point since your scalp is relaxed. Oil can weigh your hair down and if you comb your hair right after applying the oil, it will only cause your hair to break.
Don’t wash too soon!
Of course, getting rid of all the excess oil is important, but make sure that you don’t do it too soon! Allow the oil to sit on your scalp for at least one hour so that it has enough time to do its job and nourish your tresses. Like this, when having enough time, the oil penetrates through the follicles and nourishes your scalp.
Don’t overuse the oil
If you apply too much oil to your hair, it means that you will have to use more shampoo to wash it off. This will strip away your hair’s natural oils along with the excess oil you are attempting to get rid off.
Don’t tie your hair up
You might not be aware of this, but tying your hair up can make it prone to breakage. Your hair is already vulnerable and weighed down by the oil. Tying up will only result in breakage.
Don’t wrap with a towel
Towels are rough and can break your hair when it is soaked in oil. Use a warm plain cotton cloth or shirt instead.
Don’t massage too vigorously
Massaging your scalp too fast or vigorously can break your hair. Massaging your scalp gently in circular motions is the right way to go about it.
Don’t overuse your shampoo
Washing off all the excess oil is important. A lot of us tend to overuse our shampoo in an attempt to get rid of the excess oil. Using too much shampoo on your hair can remove its natural oils and cause more harm than good.
Related: Should You Wash Your Hair Everyday? 12 Tips From The Trichologist
How to Apply Hair Oil Correctly?
It may only seem that applying hair oil is so simple: just work it into your tresses, and that’s it! However, this procedure also has certain recommendations and nuances that are better to be followed if you want to get the best results.
This is why, in order to help you out and make your hair care procedure more effective, we will describe how to apply oil to your mane correctly.
With the help of this six steps guide, you will be able to undergo this ritual like a professional!
To begin, you need to get all the supplies ready first. In particular, you will need an oil itself, and a carrier oil.
Choose the hair oil depending on what effect you want to have in the end since some oils are used for hair growth, whilst others nourish or fight dandruff.
As for the carrier oil, it can be any natural oil, for example, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, almond oil, or olive oil.
And now, let’s see how the procedure is supposed to be done.
- Start with heating the oil. Heat your oils for a few seconds till they are warm. Using warm oil will contribute to deeper penetration of the product through your hair cuticles and seal them to keep your scalp moisturized.
- Now, it’s time for a massage. Gently massage the oil into your scalp for a few minutes using circular motions, working your way across the entire scalp for 10-15 minutes. After you are done with massaging the scalp, gently work your way to the ends of your hair.
- Now wrap your hair with a warm cloth and fix this “turbane” around your forehead. Like this, you will create a sort of a greenhouse effect which will cause your pores and cuticles to open up, allowing for deeper penetration of the oils into your scalp and hair follicles.
- When oils have enough time to do their job, rinse them off. You can leave your oil on even overnight (especially if your hair condition needs that) and wash it off thoroughly with shampoo the next day. Try using normal or cold water for rinsing and make sure no oil is left on the tresses.
To end the procedure, dry your hair as usual, but we would recommend you air dry it since blow dryers often cause damage leading to excessively dried locks.
Like this, with this brief guide, you will now be able to nourish your hair like you would do in the best salons!
[wp-faq-schema title=”Frequently Asked Questions”]
Why does my hair fall after I oil it? Is there anything wrong with the oil?
Well, there are several reasons, in fact. Oil weighs your hair down, and sometimes it may strip away the already broken strands. Also, massaging your hair too hard can cause it to break. Another cause is oiling your hair too often and not rinsing it off properly. It can attract dirt, dandruff and bacteria to accumulate on your scalp thus causing your hair to fall.
Hi! Could you help me please? I’ve never used oils on hair so I’m not sure how to do it right. Is it correct to apply oil on dry hair or when my hair is wet?
You must ideally apply oil to dry hair for it to be able to nourish the deeper layers of your scalp and hair. See, if you apply oil to wet hair, water will repel it and won’t allow for deep penetration. This will make it ineffective.
Can hair oil be synthetic? I remember I bought one which seemed nice to me, but later, it damaged my hair. Plus, the locks were always like greasy after I used it. So now I’m curious whether all hair oils are like that. I’m simply afraid of buying another product!
No, of course, not hair oils are like that! There are products that have synthetic/artificial components, but there are also natural and organic ones. You just need to read the label carefully. Or, as an option, you can just find a brand that produces organic hair care products only and has oils, too!
Hi! Thanks for the article, I found a lot of useful information in it! Could you please tell me whether everyone needs hair oils? I mean, is this product mandatory for a regular hair care routine?
Well, hair oil doesn’t have any strict rules of use. It’s not a medical treatment! Hair oil can be used as a deep treatment before washing, for example. Or you can use it to tame your hair before styling. Unless your hairdresser doesn’t allow you to use this product, feel free to incorporate it into your hair care routine!
How long should you leave oil in your hair? I know it’s good for nourishing hair but at the same time, I heard that oils can cause damage if left for too long. So what’s the optimal time needed?
You’re right, leaving oil on your hair for too long can have completely the opposite effect! Some people leave oil in their hair overnight, but usually one or two hours should be enough. See, if you apply more oil than you need and leave it on your hair longer than you should, this may lead to dryness.
How often should you oil your scalp for hair growth? Is there any rule of thumb for all hair types?
Well, the frequency of oil application depends on the condition of your hair and scalp. If you have regular hair that can be considered healthy, oil your scalp 1-2 times per week. On the other hand, you may need to oil your scalp daily for the first week if you haven’t done so for a long period of time.
How often should you put oil in your hair 4c?
Every other day/every 2-3 days is usually a good rule of thumb for 4C textured beauties who tend to have super low porosity. However, even within the 4C curl type porosity often depends on how thick or thin your strands are.
I’d like to ask about oiling hair overnight. Is it good or bad? Does anyone know? It seems to me that it makes sense but I’m afraid to harm my hair by improperly using the hair oil.
Well, I know people who really keep oil on their hair overnight and they’venever complained about any issues. And moreover, since oil helps strengthen the hair shaft, especially if you have frizzy and/or dry hair, it’s most beneficial to leave it in the hair overnight. So if your hair is in a good condition, try using it overnight and see how it works.
Hi! I’m new to using oil on hair, so I’d really appreciate a piece of advice from more experienced users! How long should you leave oil in your hair to not make it feel and look greasy?
Hi! I’m not a pro, but I think a couple of hours should be more than enough. In my opinion, it depends on your hair type and its texture. I know girls who can easily oil their hair and go to bed with the oil on the mane until morning! And their locks don’t look greasy at all.
How often should you oil your scalp for hair growth? The only thing I can find on the internet on this subject is what oils to use and/or how long to keep it (oil) on your scalp. Thanks for your help in advance!
You know, I’m pretty sure it depends on the current condition of your hair. And also your hair type matters, I suppose. In general, if you have regular hair that can be considered healthy, you should oil your scalp 1-2 times per week, not more. On the other hand, if you haven’t used hair oils for a lengthy period of time, you may need to oil your scalp daily for the first week to get the best results!
How often should you oil your hair if it’s black? I heard that natural black hair needs a bit different oiling schedule, but I couldn’t find any precise explanation on which one exactly.
I’m not sure how it works on black hair, but I know that it’s not recommended oiling your hair daily for sure! See, too much oil can still be a bad thing. It may leave your hair and scalp greasy, and besides, the excess oil might block hair follicles on your scalp and cause pimples!
Hey folks! I’m here with an extremely important question! Here it is: oiling hair overnight – is it good or bad? Can anyone explain that to me please? Lots of thanks in advance!
Hey there! Well, it depends on your hair type and its current condition. For healthy hair, it might be ok to leave oil in overnight. But I personally would not recommend you do that! Oils will anyway remain on your hair, making the mane look and feel greasy. It’s gross! Besides, excessive oiling often results in pimples and other bad stuff…
How often should you put oil in your hair if its length is 4c?
Hi! In your case, every other day or every 2-3 days is enough since your hair tends to have super low porosity.
How often should you oil your scalp if you have natural hair that’s healthy? It just starts developing a slight frizz in winter, so I though that oils might help.
As far as I remember, it’s recommended to oil one’s scalp once a week. But you know what? You’d better ask your hair specialist! Those guys know better. If you just use random tips from random folks, you may end up with destroyed hair!
Hello. Thanks for sharing such a useful information! Could you please explain how often should I oil my curly hair?
Hello. For curly hair, the frequency of oiling depends on how much natural oils your scalp produces. If it naturally produces a lot of oil, oiling your ends about once a week is ok. If you have lower sebum production, you may need to oil your roots and ends every couple of days.