Hair Oiling: Benefits, How to Do It, and Best Oils for Hair

Hair oiling has been around for centuries and is also recommended in Ayurvedic medicine. Not only does this ancient practice help with hair growth, but it prevents common hair problems as well, including dandruff, split ends, premature graying, and more.

Today, many people believe that oiling may not be necessary for healthy hair, but for others, it is an important step that gives their strands a good balance of essential nutrients and minerals. In fact, studies suggest that a hot oil treatment for hair can potentially reduce hygral fatigue, which refers to the process of drying and swelling of hair. Plus, it may also protect the hair follicle from getting damaged by working on the cuticle cells.

Hair oiling is an ancient practice. (Photo via Pexels/Element5 Digital)

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Benefits of Hair Oiling

Oiling your hair regularly may soften the hair and replenish the vitamins that get stripped due to damaging factors such as frequent washing, sun, pollution, and more. Other potential benefits include:

1. Adds Shine and Moisture

Hair oiling hydrates the scalp and adds moisture and shine to your hair. Studies suggest that oiling can give your hair much-needed hydration and also add shine and nourishment. For hair that has been damaged by heat and regular styling, oiling can help revive the strands and keep them moisturized and silky smooth.

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2. Strengthens the Hair

Hair oiling has multi-dimensional effects on the hair and scalp. It reduces frizziness and prevents breakage while also increasing the tensile strength of the strands. Oiling your hair a few times a week can keep your scalp healthy and ward off problems like excessive hairfall and dry hair.

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3. Improves Hair Growth

The massage technique used in hair oiling offers plenty of benefits. It increases the circulation of blood to the scalp and nourishes the hair, all while stimulating healthy hair growth. Plus, it works wonders on stress and anxiety, which are some common causes of hairfall. Various studies suggest that oils such as ginseng oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil are among the best oils for hair growth.

Oiling the hair stimulates healthy hair growth. (Photo via Unsplash/Tim Mossholder)

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How to Properly Oil Your Hair?

Follow the given steps to attain all the benefits of hair oiling:

• Take a few drops of your favorite oil on your palms, rub it, and then apply it on your scalp and length.
• Massage for a few minutes with your fingertips using a circular motion and then cover your hair with a shower cap or towel.
• Leave for a few hours and then rinse off with a cleansing shampoo. Condition if needed.

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What Are Some of the Best Hair Oils?

Here are some of the best oils that you should use for hair oiling:

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is the most commonly used oil for hair oiling. It is loaded with lauric acid and also gets easily absorbed inside the hair shaft, making it one of the best oils for treating damaged hair. Coconut oil is light in texture, offers deep conditioning, and is also the most suitable oil for different hair types.

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Almond Oil

Almond oil is considered the best oil for the scalp as it is loaded with vitamin E, which has soothing properties. It is slightly thicker than coconut oil but is good for treating infections on the scalp. Additionally, it contains vitamin K and vitamin B, both beneficial for supporting hair growth.

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Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil is also one of the best oils for hair growth. It helps prevent the build-up of bacteria and fungi on the scalp and works best for hair growth as well.

Rosemary oil is one of the best oils for hair growth. (Photo via Pexels/FRANCIANO PUHALES [FF8])

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Moringa Oil

Moringa oil is the best oil for dry hair. It has oleic acid that works as an incredible moisturizer for the hair. While using moringa oil for hair oiling, however, always use it with carrier oil such as almond or coconut oil.

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Argan Oil

Argan oil is the best oil for curly hair. It is also called Moroccan oil and is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Argan oil is an excellent hair oiling option for unmanageable and uncontrollable curls. The application of this oil restores the moisture of curls, thereby making them more manageable.

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Before you choose any oil, do a patch test to make sure you don’t have any type of allergy to the oil. If everything looks good, go ahead and give your hair a quick hot oil treatment massage.