Benefits of Hair Oiling
Natural hair oils contain a cocktail of beneficial nutrients and compounds that can not only nourish the hair but also help protect it against damage and breakage.
Hair Oils: What’s in them?
Hair oil ingredients vary depending on their intended purpose and/or specific blend, but for the most part, natural hair oils are composed primarily of one or more carrier oils and essential oil(s). Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are mild, plant-based oils that can be used to dilute essential oils in order to use them on the skin. Some common carrier oils include coconut, olive, sweet almond, avocado, castor bean, jojoba, apricot kernel, wheat germ, argan, and grape seed. Some of these carrier oils also act as emollients (softening agents) for the skin and hair.
Essential Oils:
Natural essential oils are made up of complex chemical compounds that vary in their benefits depending on which ones are used. aroma-therapeutic essential oils contain scents that have been known to uplift moods, reduce stress levels, improve mental clarity, and promote overall wellness. Carrier oils may be used as an alternative to essential oils, but they typically provide fewer benefits than their natural counterparts
Some Popular Natural Hair Oils:
Coconut Oil – This all-purpose oil penetrates the hair shaft to moisturize the cortex, strengthen the hair cuticle and reduce protein loss.
Almond Oil – This light oil works well as a carrier to help distribute other essential oils along the length of your strands. It is high in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E which helps protect against free radical damage.
Argan Oil – This oil is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids. It helps seal moisture into the hair and can reduce breakage when applied to wet hair before styling.
Grapel/Linseed Oil – With unique moisturizing and protective qualities, this oil can help keep the scalp balanced, promote elasticity in the hair fiber, shield against UV rays, and prevent split ends.
Extra Tips for Hair Oils:
When purchasing natural hair oils, make sure that they are high-quality (100% natural or organic) products that contain pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Do not purchase carrier oils in plastic bottles. Store your oil(s) in dark-colored glass bottles to help extend their shelf life. Be sure to use each oil for its specific purpose due to the large range of fatty acid content in carrier oils
Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to your skin. Unless otherwise specified, apply essential oils only after you’ve properly cleaned and conditioned your hair.
Avoid using any natural or chemical treatments on your hair before attending any special events or occasions. The last thing you want is for your temporary hair color to wash out or fade just before a photoshoot
Do not use essential oils if you are prone to allergic reactions. Also, do not apply any essential oils directly onto your scalp without diluting them first. Read the instructions on each oil’s packaging for specific instructions.
Know the difference between topical and internal application. While some essential oils can be used both topically and internally, others are meant to be used for either one or the other. When in doubt, do not use it until you have clarified exactly how each oil should be used
Do not apply anything to your hair when your scalp is irritated or has open wounds.
Do not use/consume any essential oil that comes with a warning label. These oils can be risky and even toxic if used improperly. For more information about the safety of each oil, refer to its packaging and/or contact the company directly
Warnings:
Avoid contact with eyes and skin (or any other sensitive area). Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause skin irritation. Keep out of reach of children. Some essential oils (such as clove, thyme, cinnamon bark, oregano) are skin sensitizers and may increase your risk of an allergic reaction if applied to the skin in undiluted form or in high concentration.
Never use undiluted essential oils on your skin due to serious side effects and potential burns. Be careful to avoid unsupervised ingestion of essential oils by children and pets. Use extreme caution when using essential oils in combination with alcohol, drugs, or other supplements such as caffeine, garlic, ginseng, St. John’s wort, and kava.
Avoid using essential oils if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication (especially blood-thinning drugs), undergoing cancer treatment, prone to seizures, or suffering from a serious illness such as an autoimmune disorder, leukemia, lymphoma, asthma, or herpes.
Effects of not applying oil to hair:
1. hair dries out and becomes brittle
2. hair breaks easily
3. scalp is subject to fungal infections and lice infestations
4. hair appears dull, old-looking “stale” has less volume without the aid of chemical-laden hair stylers, there is a tendency for it to become dryer and require more frequent washing.
The benefits of natural oils:
oils are natural detanglers, which can help to soften hair
oils increase scalp circulation, thus increasing the rate at which cells regenerate. this rejuvenates hair follicles facilitating growth in hair that has stopped growing or is growing slowly for whatever reason – age (see image below), stress, hormonal issues.
Benefits of applying oil on wet hair:
before shampooing (or before bedtime if you do not wash hair daily)
oils act as natural conditioners – see below for hair conditioning with a coconut oil recipe
oils help to moisturize the dry, flaky scalp. this means less irritation and itchiness. it also means a flake-free scalp which reduces the chance of developing dandruff and an itchy scalp.
oils help to eliminate frizz and hair loss (sebum is nature’s conditioner for hair, which acts like hair gel. when the scalp does not secrete enough sebum, this causes excessive dryness of the scalp and ends up attracting dirt and dust mites, leading to increased problems with acne and various skin disorders)
oils help to make hair shinier and more manageable.
Benefits of applying oil onto dry hair:
oils lock onto the shaft of the hair, making it smooth and shiny (sebum can still do this but sebum also results in hair appearing oily which is not such a good look for most people)
oils act as sealants – oil locks onto the hair shaft which makes it tangle-free. this reduces frizz and breakage.
oils help to moisturize the dry, flaky scalp. this means less irritation and itchiness. it also means a flake-free scalp which reduces the chance of developing dandruff and an itchy scalp.
oils help to eliminate frizz and hair loss (sebum is nature’s conditioner for hair, which acts like hair gel. when the scalp does not secrete enough sebum, this causes excessive dryness of the scalp and ends up attracting dirt and dust mites, leading to increased problems with acne and various skin disorders)
The best oils for the scalp:
Argan oil is said to be one of the best carrier oils (oil used to dilute essential oils). it penetrates the skin easily without making the skin feel oily or sticky.
coconut oil is high in vitamin e.
grapeseed oil is light and non-greasy, does not clog pores, penetrates into the scalp well, has natural cleansing properties to remove excess dirt and makeup that accumulates on the scalp which could lead to clogged pores
jojoba oil has anti-aging benefits for the skin as a result of its antioxidant properties.
peppermint oil is a natural stimulant, it improves blood circulation of the scalp which can stimulate hair growth. note: never use peppermint on children! children’s skin is more sensitive and thinner, which means that peppermint can easily burn their skin causing rashes or other issues!
jojoba oil scalp massage recipe (for dry, itchy, or flaky scalp)
What you will need:
a container with a lid (such as an empty container for peppermint tea bags), coconut oil, dried rosemary leaves (find them in the herbs and spices section of your supermarket), bowl to mix ingredients in.
How to do it:
put a spoonful of dried rosemary leaves into your container
add about 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to the bowl
microwave the mixture for 10 seconds at a time until melted (don’t forget to stir after each 10-second interval)
pour the liquid mixture over the herbs in your container
mix well so all ingredients are combined
put the lid on and store in a cool, dark place (cupboard)
When required:
use about 1/2 tsp of this mixture to massage your scalp. you do not have to wash your hair after the massage! just leave it for 20 minutes before washing hair as usual.
you can also use peppermint oil instead of dried rosemary leaves if you prefer. peppermint oil is naturally cooling for the scalp and it rejuvenates, refreshes, and stimulates the scalp. note: eucalyptus oil can also be used in place of peppermint oil but keep in mind that eucalyptus contains menthol which can irritate some people’s skin. please do a patch test to ensure that eucalyptus oil does not cause irritation.
use this mixture 2-3 times per week (alternating with other scalp massages if required). you can use different mixtures for your scalp but make sure that it is only used occasionally rather than every day since overuse could lead to skin irritation and other issues.
a scalp massage is always better if it involves some sort of heat therapy such as using a hairdryer or steamer for 10 minutes at the end of the treatment. this opens up the pores and allows for deeper penetration of oils into the skin.
if you do not have dried rosemary leaves, you can simply use plain coconut oil. rosemary is just an optional ingredient that adds benefits to the scalp such as getting rid of dandruff and itchy scalp, as well as increasing blood circulation which stimulates hair growth.