If your scalp produces too much oil, don't apply more oil to your hair. However, if your hair is dry, or losing its natural oils from frequent shampooing, you may want to try an oil treatment. Moisturizing hair with oil can be used as one of the main steps to maintain healthy hair and scalp. In addition, oiling your hair can strengthen and soften your hair, and make it shinier.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Choosing Oil
Step 1. Decide how much oil to use
You can use just 1 oil, or a combination of 2 or 3 different oils. This is determined by the budgeted cost or the level of effectiveness of the oil treatment you want.
- Oils are divided into 2 main groups, namely carrier oils and essential oils.
- Carrier oil is useful as a solvent for essential oils whose content is more concentrated.
- Many people choose to use a carrier oil alone in hair care. You don't have to use essential oils if you don't want to.
- Essential oils are much more concentrated. Once diluted in a carrier oil, you can apply it to your scalp and hair roots.
Step 2. Choose a carrier oil
A carrier oil is required whether or not to be used as an essential oil diluent. There are many different types of carrier oil to choose from, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
- Almond oil: Almond oil is rich in vitamin E and healthy fats which are very beneficial for hair.
- Argan oil: This oil originating from Morocco is rich in antioxidants. Although users of argan oil claim to experience drastic improvements in the condition of their hair and skin, the price of this oil is quite expensive. Argan oil that is sold for cheap is most likely a fake and is not worth buying.
- Avocado oil: Avocado oil is very beneficial for people with curly hair. This oil is well-liked for its moisturizing benefits and its cheap price!
- Castor oil: Castor oil is believed to stimulate growth and reduce hair loss, treat dry scalp, prevent split ends, and make hair shiny. However, its thick and sticky texture makes this oil not liked by many users. You should dilute castor oil in a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil before using it.
- Coconut oil: apart from increasing the moisture in your hair and scalp, coconut oil is also rich in protein. Most of the components of hair are protein, so the protein content in coconut oil can also help repair damaged hair. One drawback is that this oil is solid except in very hot conditions. Some people don't like using coconut oil because they have to heat it up before using it.
- Extra virgin olive oil: EVOO is believed to prevent hair loss, treat dry scalp, increase hair moisture, and make it shinier. In addition, this oil is also efficacious as an antibacterial and antifungal so that it can protect the scalp from problems such as dandruff. However, this oil may be too heavy for thin hair.
- Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is a milder option for people whose hair is less dry. If your hair is healthy, use this oil as a balanced moisturizer.
Step 3. Choose an essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil: Rosemary oil has a variety of benefits, but is well known for stimulating blood circulation. Applying rosemary oil to the scalp can improve the health of hair follicles and roots. Rosemary is also known as a source of compounds contained in Minoxidil so it is useful in overcoming and preventing hair loss. In addition, rosemary oil is also one of the natural oils that can really moisturize the hair. When used, this oil will feel a little stinging on the scalp, but this is normal.
- Grapefruit essential oil: This scented essential oil can be used to stimulate hair growth and balance oily hair conditions.
- Rose essential oil: Rose essential oil is useful for strengthening hair roots and preventing hair loss. Plus, it smells great too!
Method 2 of 4: Using Carrier Oil
Step 1. Prepare your hair
The only preparatory step before oiling your hair is to comb it neatly so that the oil doesn't splatter. On the other hand, cleaning hair before oiling is debatable. Some people claim that the results of this hair treatment will be better on hair that is slightly oily and dirty (about 2 or 3 days after the last time you shampooed). However, others claim that this treatment will give the best results right after shampooing, when the hair is still clean of dirt. Try both and decide which one you prefer.
Step 2. Protect the surrounding area from oil droplets
This treatment will probably make a mess of the house, especially if it's your first time trying it.
- Cover the floor and countertop around the treatment area with an old towel or tissue.
- Have a hand towel nearby to wipe off any dripping oil.
- Protect the pillow with a plastic pillowcase if you will be sleeping during the treatment.
Step 3. Treat the roots and scalp
Pour 1 teaspoon of oil into your palms. Rub both palms to evenly distribute the oil. Try to spread the oil onto your fingertips as the oil will be applied mainly to your fingertips.
- Rub the oil onto your scalp with your fingertips.
- Massage the oil to absorb and stimulate the scalp. Apart from that, you will feel comfortable!
- Be sure to rub the oil all over your scalp, all the way to the back of your head, over the nape of the neck, and behind your ears.
Step 4. Divide the hair into 2
Part your hair right in the middle of your head, pulling one section to your left shoulder and the other to your right shoulder. That way, the oil will be more easily rubbed into the hair shaft.
You can tie one section of hair into a ponytail to keep it away from the other side during the treatment
Step 5. Rub the oil all over the hair shaft
If you have long hair, you may be tempted to pour a lot of oil into your palms. However, this will only make a mess. Whatever length of hair you need to treat, just pour 2 teaspoons of the oil into the palm of your hand, and add more if necessary.
- Run your hands all over the hair shaft.
- Don't miss the back of the hair.
Method 3 of 4: Using Essential Oils and Carrier Oils
Step 1. Prepare hair and treatment area
Just like using a carrier oil above, just comb dry hair until it's neat. You can treat hair that has just been shampooed, or 2 or 3 days after the last time you shampooed it. Line the treatment area floor with an old towel or tissue to protect it from oil droplets.
Step 2. Mix essential oil and carrier oil
Essential oils are too concentrated to be applied in large quantities directly to the scalp. Even if it has been diluted in a carrier oil, your scalp may still feel stinging. However, don't worry as this is normal. This stinging sensation actually indicates the effect of the essential oil!
- Pour a teaspoon of your chosen carrier oil into the palm of your hand.
- Pour 2-3 drops of the essential oil of your choice.
- Rub the palms together to evenly distribute the oil onto the palms and fingertips.
Step 3. Apply the oil mixture to the roots and scalp
Essential oils are not useful when rubbed into the hair shaft and ends. So, focus treatment on the scalp, hair follicles and roots.
- Massage the oil into your scalp with your fingertips.
- Remember to rub the oil all over your scalp, not just the front.
Step 4. Comb the hair and part it in 2
Using a wide-toothed comb, comb both sections of hair to smooth it out. This step is also useful for distributing the oil to the parts of the hair that are not exposed to massage. Part your hair down the middle so that you can oil one at a time, rather than oiling them all at once.
Step 5. Rub the carrier oil along the hair shaft
Pour a teaspoon of carrier oil into your palms. Rub both palms to flatten it up to the fingertips.
- If you are using castor oil, mix teaspoon of castor oil with a lighter diluent oil (such as grapeseed oil) because without the addition of other oils, castor oil is too thick and sticky.
- Run your fingers and palms along the hair shaft to apply the oil.
- Start near the scalp that has been given essential oils and carrier oils.
- Run your hands up to the ends of your hair.
- Rub the oil into a section of hair. Remember to rub it on the back of your head too.
- Give the same treatment to the second section of hair.
Method 4 of 4: Oiling Hair for Other Purposes
Step 1. Apply a small amount of oil to the hair as a daily treatment
If your hair is very dry, you may need a daily oil treatment. For example, people with curly hair feel the benefits of this oil treatment and get more moisturized and shiny hair.
- Don't rub oil on your scalp every day. The scalp produces its own oil, so the hair around it is usually quite healthy. Applying oil every day can actually be detrimental because it causes the hair roots to become oily.
- Apply a thin layer of oil to the hair shaft, especially at the ends. The oil from the scalp will spread from the roots to the tips. The longer the hair, the farther the oil has to travel. As a result, the ends of the hair are often dry and brittle. Curly ends also tend to be drier because the curls prevent oil from flowing along the hair shaft.
- Don't rub too much oil if you use it every day. Your hair should be completely saturated, but not limp all the time!
Step 2. Spray the oil onto your hair as a leave-in moisturizer
Buy a small spray bottle to spread the oil over the entire surface of your hair. That way, the oil can be applied in small amounts rather than too much with the fingers. Dilute the oil with water so it won't clog the nozzles of the spray bottle.
- Spray the oil and water mixture all over your hair after shampooing while your hair is still damp.
- Comb the hair to smooth out the tangles while simultaneously distributing the oil throughout the hair shaft.
- Let your hair dry by itself and continue with your activities.
Step 3. Use the oil as a leave-in conditioner
You should give a deep moisturizing mask treatment with oil once a week or two.
- Saturate hair with oil. For daily oil treatment, apply a thin layer of oil, but for a no-rinse treatment, you can apply a thick layer of oil.
- Tie and bun your hair. That way, the shoulders and back of your clothes will be protected from oil droplets.
- Cover your head with a shower cap if you wish. Using a shower cap is especially helpful if you don't have a plastic pillowcase for protection.
- If you're not wearing a shower cap, cover your pillow with a vinyl pillowcase or 2 layers of old towels to keep the oil from dripping.
- Leave the oil for at least 8 hours or until it's time to shampoo again the next day.
Step 4. Apply an oil treatment to brittle hair while it is still damp
Oil treatments will work best when used on damp hair. Apply carrier oil in place of your conditioner immediately after shampooing twice a week. The shampoo will remove the hair's natural oils and make it dry. This is a good time to apply moisturizer.
- Apply shampoo and oil immediately when you shower. Allow the oil to soak into your hair while you shower until you're done.
- Try to let the oil sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Wear a shower cap to protect your hair from the water so the oil doesn't wash off prematurely.
- Be careful when using oil in the shower. The bathroom floor will be very slippery when you rinse it.
Tips
- Try to keep the oil away from the face because it can cause acne.
- Massaging the oil into the scalp can stimulate hair growth.
