Slathering your scalp and hair with oil isn't doing anything for its health—on the contrary, it's counter-productive. “Applying excess oil can clog hair follicles, leading to hair fall and dandruff. Similarly, applying it to dirty hair can cause scalp infections,” shares Dr Smita Naram, co-founder Ayushakti.
Using too much hair growth oil can lead to several issues, including: Greasy Appearance: Excess oil can make your hair look greasy and weighed down rather than healthy and shiny. Clogged Pores: Applying too much oil to the scalp may clog hair follicles, potentially leading to scalp issues like dandruff or folliculitis.
It all depends on your hair length and thickness. For one usage the good rule of thumb is to have 10 ml (two teaspoons) of carrier oil and add 3-4 drops of rosemary oil, 2 drops of lavender, and 2 of peppermint.
Check Your Scalp: If your scalp feels oily and you notice oil buildup at the roots, your hair is likely oily. If your scalp feels tight or itchy, it may indicate dryness. Take a Strand: Pull a small section of hair and observe its texture. Oily hair tends to clump together, while dry hair may feel rough and coarse.
However, excessive oiling can lead to some issues: Clogged Pores: Too much oil can clog hair follicles, potentially leading to scalp issues like dandruff or infections, which may contribute to hair fall. Greasy Hair: Over-oiling can make hair look greasy and feel heavy, which might lead to more frequent washing.
Over-oiling can lead to an excessively greasy scalp, which can attract dirt and exacerbate hair fall. Normal hair: If your hair is neither too dry nor too oily, oiling 1-2 times a week is a good balance. This frequency will help maintain healthy moisture levels without making your scalp greasy.
When it comes to beauty routines, 'less is more' is always a good rule of thumb. Slathering your scalp and hair with oil isn't doing anything for its health—on the contrary, it's counter-productive. “Applying excess oil can clog hair follicles, leading to hair fall and dandruff.
It's best to prevent your hair from becoming too greasy to keep the scalp healthy. Sebum is the natural oil produced by the scalp that helps keep the skin moisturised and healthy. However, if the scalp starts to become built up with excess oil and grease, this can lead to itching, redness, and dandruff.
As a rule of thumb, Chacon recommends people with dry hair use oil two to three times per week. For people with oily hair, once a week may be sufficient. If you decide to use oil overnight, Chacon suggests washing it out the next morning to prevent excess build-up of the product and prevent issues like clogged pores.
Never Keep the Oil in Your Scalp for Too Long
A good duration to get the most nourishment from oiling your hair would be 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Blending different hair oils can enhance hair growth by providing varied benefits such as moisturizing, stimulating circulation, and reducing inflammation. Customizing oil mixes to address specific hair concerns can result in healthier hair.
For day-to-day use, simply apply your oil to damp hair and let it air dry. If you're using a hair dryer or other heat-styling tool to achieve an effortless blow-out look, apply a few drops of hair oil through damp hair before applying heat. This will help lock in moisture and result in a smooth, polished finish.
You can get rid of excess oil gently by using a hair rinse. We're here to remind you once more that the rinse you use will depend on your hair and your oil. There are a number of rinses you can use to wash out the excess oil, including lemon, apple cider vinegar, and much more. The choice is yours.
The amount of hair oil needed ranges from 1-5 pumps depending on the length of hair, hair texture, hair thickness and hair condition. Start small, you can always apply more hair oil; and avoid the roots - hair oil is best applied to the mid-lengths and ends unless otherwise stated.
Overnight Hair Oiling: Deep Nourishment
Applying hair overnight can give you healthy, conditioned, and moisturized hair if you are facing issues related to dry scalp and frizzy hair. However, this method is not recommended for people with oily scalps as it leads to cough, cold and headaches.
Here's a general overview: For those with dry, damaged, or color-treated hair, daily wetting may not be advisable as it can further strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture, leading to increased dryness, frizz, and breakage.
The mass of oil that your scalp produces is the same no matter your length of hair. Short hair may appear greasier faster, though, because there is a higher oil to hair ratio, so you're likely to notice it sooner than on longer hair.
While you definitely want some natural oils to remain in your hair, not washing your hair will allow oil, dirt and grime to build up on your scalp. This can lead to a greasy appearance and unpleasant odours, as well as conditions such as dandruff and an itchy scalp.
Avoid Leaving Oil On For Too Long
If hair growth oil is left on for extended periods, it can attract dirt, clog pores, and lead to dandruff and itching. Over-saturation may also weaken hair strands, making them prone to breakage.
It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.
Rigorous oil massages can lead to friction between the hair strands and lead easy breakage. Massaging your scalp for a long time at a stretch can break or weaken your strands.
“There are high chances of getting an infection if you apply oil frequently on an oily scalp. You can do it once in a blue moon. Also, if you have acne on your forehead then avoid applying oil to the crown region,” she suggests.
Most people will find that oiling their hair once a week is a good starting point. Dry or damaged hair types may benefit from the treatment more often, while oily hair types may choose to oil their hair once a month or only before special occasions.