“People with dry, coarse tightly curled hair can benefit from oiling, while others with fine, straight hair may find oiling weighs their hair down too much. Those who are prone to dandruff should avoid all types of oils.”
Without oil, your hair might be more prone to dryness, leading to breakage, split ends, and a dull appearance. Frizz: Lack of oil can contribute to frizzy hair, especially in humid environments. Hair oils can help smooth the hair cuticle and reduce frizz by providing a protective layer.
If you don't apply oil to your hair, your scalp and hair may still remain healthy, depending on your natural oil production and hair care routine. However, for some people, not oiling can lead to dryness, frizz, and breakage, especially if they have dry or curly hair.
“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.
Similar to our skin, our hair needs a good balance of oils to keep it healthy and happy. According to proponents of this practice, hair oiling's main goal is to hydrate your hair and make up for any vitamins or minerals your hair may be missing after repeated washing.
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.
Absolutely! Oiling can be beneficial for your hair in several ways. It helps nourish and moisturize the scalp, which can promote healthier hair growth and reduce dryness. The natural botanical oils used also contain essential nutrients that can strengthen the hair shaft, prevent breakage, and add shine.
While leaving oil on your hair may seem beneficial, prolonged exposure can have adverse effects. 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.
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.
Oiling hair provides numerous hair benefits, such as hydration and hair growth. So, it alone cannot be the reason behind your hair loss problem, there must be other mistakes involved, explains dermatologist Dr Ishmeet Kaur. In fact, even if you are not applying hair oil properly, it can lead to hair loss.
Oily hair isn't healthy or unhealthy by default. People with an oily scalp can have healthy hair or dry, brittle hair. Your hair needs oil to be healthy, but too much oil can lead to buildup on the hair and scalp. Oily skin may also contribute to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis.
Hair growth depends on the person's health and nutrition. “Hair growth or thickness depends on the nutrition the hair gets,” Shajeera added. “There is no scientific evidence or trials that show applying oil on the head improves hair growth. Rather, there are only anecdotal evidences based personal experiences.
If you don't moisturize your scalp, it will probably get very dry, itchy, and flaky. And this will reflect on your hair health too! So, it will start appearing dull and more prone to breakage, damage and fall. that can make your hair look 10 years younger with its new moisturizing technology!
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
Never Keep the Oil in Your Scalp for Too Long
Hair and scalp care experts recommend limiting the duration you keep oil in your head because it can attract dust and impurities. So even if your traditional knowledge suggests that the longer you keep your oil the better, it may not be right.
Nighttime hair oiling acts as a deep conditioning treatment for your hair and scalp. As you sleep, the oil has hours to soak into your hair shaft and scalp, providing intense hydration. This is especially helpful for people with dry, brittle, or damaged hair.
If you have thin hair or hair that's prone to greasiness, you don't have to avoid using hair oils. Instead, you just need to be careful about the ones you're using and how you use them.
It hydrates the hair and prevents frizz: Oils like castor oil and olive oil that are rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids are able to create a physical barrier around the hair cells, preventing moisture loss which can leave strands looking dull and dry.
The moment your hair is left to soak in oil for more than 12 hours, your scalp collects dirt and mixes with your scalp's natural oil. Leaving oil on your hair overnight can make it greasy and sticky, and it will also attract dust from your pillow and bed. As a result, it can lead to hair loss and other hair problems.
Incorporating hair oil into your hair care routine 2-3 times a week as needed can work wonders for your hair. The beneficial formula typically contains a blend of leave-in oils applied from mid-length to the ends of your hair, and there's no need to wash the oil out.