Oiling hair is a practice that’s been used for centuries. Many advocates of this practice claim it’s vital for maintaining shine and protecting hair from the wear and tear of everyday life. But precisely what is hair oiling?
And are any health benefits backed by science that are associated with it? If you want to discover the answer to these questions, and more, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about hair oiling and the many benefits that come with it. That way, you can decide for yourself whether or not it’s something you want to incorporate into your locs hair routine. Let’s get started!
What Is Hair Oiling?
Before we begin, let’s first learn more about hair oiling. This is the practice of massaging natural oils throughout your scalp and hair. Hair oiling is undoubtedly not a new concept in the hair world.
It has its roots in Ayurvedic medicine, which is over five thousand years old. In more recent years, the practice has become commonplace in many people’s natural hair routines because it can contribute to your overall health.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific benefits that come with it.
What Are the Benefits of It?
Our hair is quite similar to our skin — it relies on oils to stay healthy and happy. Unfortunately, some people don’t naturally produce enough oil for their hair. Or, they wash their hair too often, which causes essential minerals and vitamins to drain.
That’s why there are a lot of health benefits that come with applying oil yourself. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the well-established ones.
Related: Organic Dreadlocks Locking Gel Moisturizer
1. Adds Moisture
If you suffer from dry hair or just want a little extra shine, then hair oiling is an excellent practice for you. One recent study found that coconut oil, in particular, is excellent at strengthening your hair fibers. As such, it’s great for people that have heat-damaged hair.
It’s also an ideal solution for people that put their hair through intense styling. So if you frequently style your locs, consider oiling to bring a little more hydration to your roots.
2. Temporarily Removes Split Ends
If you’re suffering from split ends, it might not be necessary to have a whole salon day to fix them. The hydrating effect of hair oils is a great way to conceal split ends.
Just keep in mind that this effect is temporary. So if you want a permanent solution to split ends, you should look elsewhere.
3. Protects Your Hair From the Sun
We all love a lovely sunny day. Unfortunately, the UV rays from the great ball in the sky can have many adverse effects on our skin and hair.
Specifically, it can lead to dryness and severe frizziness. The good news is that hair oil provides a layer of protection from this heat source. Plus, its moisturizing properties mean that you won’t have to deal with locs that are too dry.
Related: How to Moisturize Your Scalp With Dreads
4. Stimulates Your Hair Growth
When you massage oil into your hair, you increase the circulation that goes to your scalp. When more blood flows to your scalp, it brings extra nutrients. This can give your hair a beautiful glow while encouraging new growth.
Looking for all-natural oils for your dreadlocks? We’ve compiled a list of great black-owned loc products that you should check out.
What Type of Oil Should You Use?
There are many different oils out there that can be applied to your hair. Some of the common ones include things like:
- Coconut oil
- Tea tree oil
- Sesame oil
- Bhringraj oil
- Jaborandi oil
- Almond oil
- Argan oil
- Amla oil
So which one should you use for your hair? Well, it depends on your hair type and any conditions you’re trying to treat (like dryness or frizziness).
Olive oil can also be effective for oiling your hair. However, this isn’t necessarily true if you have locks. We discuss this issue in our article about the do’s and don’ts of using olive oil on your dreadlocks.
How to Oil Your Hair
When oiling your hair, you want to really massage the product into your scalp. This will help increase circulation, which yields many of the benefits that come with hair oiling. To start, apply products like our Lion Locs Growth Oil directly to your scalp.
Then, massage it with your fingers by rubbing it in a circular motion. After that, cover your hair and let it sit overnight. After that, you can wash it with shampoo or leave it on. It all depends on the texture you want for your unique hair.
Have any questions about the proper way to use our hair oil? Contact us today, and we’ll provide you with all the answers you need.
Related: How to Grow Dreadlocks Faster
The Importance of Oiling Your Hair
We hope this hair oiling guide helped you learn more about the benefits of oiling your hair. As you can see, hair oil is an important part of protecting your hair from pollution and potentially harmful products found in your shampoo.
It can also be used to treat numerous health problems, like dandruff and split ends. So how often should you oil your hair? It depends on your needs and schedule.
Many people can benefit from oiling their hair every day. However, if that’s not realistic for you, try to do it at least twice weekly to start seeing some of the benefits listed in this article.