If coconut oil or any oil is not washed off it will start smelling rancid. It will attract dust and dirt, also block your pores. On hair, if you are in a hot climatic region, it will make your hair oily and heavy. In cold climate it will harden and hair will feel like straw.
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's not harmful to hair itself (I routinely heavily oil and leave it in for a day or two, sometimes longer - though I do keep my hair up. Otherwise it would accumulate lint which causes tangles), but I would stop using it on your scalp and see if the shedding improves.
Hair Type: Fine hair might only need 30 minutes to absorb the oil, while thick or coarse hair can benefit from overnight treatments. Oil Type: Lighter oils like argan or jojoba can be left in longer, while heavier oils like castor oil might need a shorter application time.
It's generally recommended to leave oil on your hair for a maximum of 8-12 hours, depending on your hair type and individual needs.
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.
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.
You may have low porosity hair if hair products don't absorb easily and tend to just sit on your hair. You may also find it's hard for water to saturate your hair on wash day and that it takes a long time to air dry.
Jojoba Oil
Not only does it deeply penetrate and moisturize each strand but it also effectively seals and locks in moisture keeping your hair hydrated for longer. It's perfect for an overnight treatment for dry or damaged hair and can also be used with a leave-in conditioner to keep moisture locked in.
This is because as time passes the hair cuticle opens up. Hair at this stage is porous and susceptible to frizz. Running your hands through hair with hair oil will rough up the cuticle further and even with oil you risk making things worse.
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.
If you don't rinse out your hair oil correctly, it can leave a greasy residue on your scalp that can clog pores and cause breakouts — or worse, clog follicles and lead to hair damage or loss.. This is why it's crucial to know how long to wait before showering after oiling your hair.
Washing your hair is important to get rid of excess oils, as well as dirt and product build-up. Warm water helps to soften the grease, but it doesn't wash it away on its own. You need to use a shampoo to properly clean your hair and scalp.
The longer, the better — that may be true for some hair treatments but not for hair oiling as the oil can block your hair follicles. Unless an ayurvedic doctor or expert has asked you to leave a medicated oil overnight, wash out the oil within 3-4 hours.
If you're going to use hair oil, as a rule of thumb, experts say people with dry hair should apply it two to three times per week. People with oily hair should stick to once per week. While it's generally safe to leave oils in your hair overnight, overuse may lead to irritation, redness, or flakiness.
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.
One thing's for sure, you'll want to use a clarifying shampoo. A clarifying shampoo will offer a deeper clean than your go-to shampoo. They're tough on grease and product buildup, so you can be sure they'll wash all the hair oil out of your tresses.
If your hair is greasy after just one day, it could be due to factors such as overactive sebaceous glands, the use of heavy hair products, hormonal fluctuations, or even your diet.
Washing the hair is a lot like washing skin. Water can remove most visible dirt and debris, but might not eliminate odors or oily deposits. Shampoo helps water remove dirt, debris, and odors, such as smoke or sweat effectively. Shampoos can also remove oil.