People with healthy hair can oil their scalp once or twice a week. If you have not oiled your scalp for a long time, you may want to do it daily or alternate days for the first week and return to once or twice a week after that.
Leaving your oil on your hair for more than one day is a bad idea. Even one day is not recommended since it can cause the oil to form a layer on your scalp, clogging your pores, accumulating dandruff and attracting dirt. Apart from that, it will make your scalp constantly feel greasy and dirty.
Those with normal hair probably want to keep oil use to around twice a week. Smooth a little through your hair when styling. If you've got oily hair then it makes no sense to use oil as a styling product. However, you can still benefit from an overnight treatment once a week as discussed below.
All hair produces some oil to keep it nourished and healthy, as well as to protect the scalp. But too much oil production can lead to seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that causes red, scaly patches to form on the scalp, along with dandruff that is difficult to get rid of.
“You can oil when your hair is damp or dry, but your hair and scalp have to be clean, or the oil won't have a chance to be absorbed,” says Dr Gupta. For heavier oils like coconut oil, applying it on dry hair is best, as the larger molecules may not penetrate the shaft of wet hair as well it can dry hair.
Note: Many find these two methods work wonders. No matter which way you decide to go, it is important to deep condition your hair. Once a week is fine for most. Be sure to do so at minimum biweekly to yield the best results.
You should never comb your hair immediately after applying oil. You see, hair is more fragile after oiling and your scalp is a lot more relaxed. Combing your hair roughly can cause hair breakage and loss. If you do want to comb your locks, start from the tips and gently make your way to the top.
Oils can cause an increase in naturally occurring yeasts that will exacerbate conditions like Seborrheic Dermatitis. Also oils like castor cause an excessive build-up of dirt and which can clog the hair follicles.
The dermatologist stated that hair oil promotes hair growth is a pure myth. Oils may nourish your hair but they cannot initiate hair growth. So, if at all, you think that hair oils stop hair fall and promote hair growth, you are wrong.
Oil your hair no more than 1 to 2 times a week. Leave it on for approximately an hour or two but you don't need to leave it on longer than that. When you leave oil on too long you run the risk of zits because oil will run down onto your skin and you also don't add any real benefit by leaving it on longer.
If you leave the oil for a long time, it can clog the pores and cut off the oxygen reaching the hair leading to damaged hair, boils on the scalp, and eventually hair fall. Also, oiling is not suitable for people who are suffering from dandruff or have a naturally oily scalp.
When your glands are producing too much oil, this can cause your hair and scalp to be overly greasy. Although this seems harmless, excess oil can clog pores on your scalp which can prevent your hair follicles from growing normally! And as a result, you may experience rapid hair loss.
It increases the blood flow to your scalp and helps invigorate growth. But in our endeavor to moisturize our hair with warm oil, we sometimes heat the oil a little too much and end up putting in hot oil. This can cause inflammation of your hair follicles and makes up to be one of the top hairfall reasons.
How often should I massage your scalp? Daily! We recommend massaging your scalp daily with clean, dry fingertips and to give yourself a proper oil massage once a week, prior to washing your hair.
Always apply oil before washing your hair
“We all know that oil is a great moisturizer and if you want to keep your mane hydrated and frizz-free then you must apply oil before washing your hair,” explains Dr Kapoor. She also adds that hair oil protects the scalp from harsh chemicals.
It strengthens the hair
Oiling hair has “a multi-dimensional effect”, says Dr Rohini Wadhwani of Skin Essentials, “It helps by increasing the tensile strength of the hair, reducing the frizziness and preventing breakage.”
“Lipids play a very important role in making the hair look and feel healthy. They help maintain the shine and gloss of hair,” she says. According to Garodia, oil helps strengthen the hair shaft, especially in case of frizzy and dry hair. It's most beneficial when the oil is left in the hair overnight.
You don't need to apply moisturizer to your scalp unless it's extremely dry. You should also apply moisturizer on wet hair only — this allows your strands to properly absorb the product. While you can use some leave-in and daily conditioners each day, stick to using deeper ones once per week.
Can scalp buildup cause hair loss? In short: yes. Scalp buildup can cause hair loss if left untreated and the dead skin, oil, and sweat clog your hair follicles. This can lead to an uncomfortable condition called folliculitis.
One of the best ways to keep your hair smooth is by oiling them daily, or atleast regularly. Oiling your hair increases the blood circulation in the scalp and thus, repairing of damaged hair. This will make your hair look smoother and shinier.
It's best not to tie up wet hair at night because it'll only cause tangles and breakage. Instead, opt for a sleeping mask or sleep cap to reduce tangles. A silk scarf can help protect against frizz before bedtime while also providing a barrier between your locks and the pillowcase.
Hair Fall While Oiling
Hair falling out while oiling is also a common sight. While massaging the oil into your scalp, the fallen hair will stick to your hands. Hair fall during brushing, shampooing or oiling your hair should not bother you as long as the total number of strands that you lose in a day is below 100.