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.
Oiling your hair every day is generally not recommended as it can lead to excess buildup and make your hair greasy, weighing it down. Instead, oiling 1-2 times a week is ideal to nourish and maintain healthy hair without overloading it.
Yes, too much oiling can cause hair loss, especially if your scalp is already prone to becoming oily. When you oil, try using a dryer oil product only on the bottom half of your hair. When you oil your scalp, it should only be done for 1 hour to 30 minutes before you are about to wash your hair.
Excessive washing
Over-washing can make your hair look greasy because it strips the hair of its natural oils. This loss of natural oils causes the body to overcompensate by producing more sebum. Over-conditioning can also lead to greasy hair because it weighs down the hair and this in turn increases oil production.
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.
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.
“Oiling the scalp and massaging it helps to improve the blood flow to the hair follicles and this can increase hair growth,” said Dr Shajeera Begum, consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist, Indira Gandhi Co-Operative Hospital, Thalassery, adding that oiling along the length of hair helps reduce breakage.
Overall, the advantages of overnight hair oiling are way more than the disadvantages, and if you stick to the routine, you will reap the benefits of the same. Time is of the essence here and all. You need to make sure that you wash the remnants of oil thoroughly to keep your hair supple and beautiful.
According to hair expert Jean Will of NiaWigs, an oily scalp makes your hair look thinner because a buildup of excess oil at the base of your hair follicles causes strands to clump together. “Greasy hair looks thin because of its oily look,” she said.
Mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, silicone-based oils, and certain vegetable oils are best avoided, as they can hinder hair growth, cause damage, or lead to scalp issues.
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.
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.
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.
We all love running a hand through freshly washed hair, but touching your hair or rubbing your scalp may actually encourage your scalp to increase its sebum production. By running your hand through your hair, you're also moving the sebum around your hair, which will add to the greasy appearance.
Avoid hair oiling with an oily scalp
But even if you have dry hair and an oily scalp, oiling will seldom lead to any good as it can further clog pores. Applying aloe vera gel is your best bet as it soothes the scalp and softens hair without making it greasy or clumpy.
Absolutely! But too much of a good thing can lead to issues. Excess oil can weigh down your hair, leaving it looking limp and lifeless and making it difficult to style. Oil on the scalp can also lead to clogged pores and irritation, which can lead to scalp conditions like dandruff.
Over-oiling leads to a greasy buildup that may block hair follicles and affect scalp health adversely. This can breed a fungus and the onset of dandruff, which exacerbates hair loss. A moderate amount will work, applied sparingly, as a rule. Most people find that once a week or every fortnight is ample.
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.
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.
Overnight hair oiling can clog our pores and might even attract dirt, etc. Ideally, you should apply oil to your roots 3-4 hours before washing your hair. Oily hair often attracts dust, dirt, and even microorganisms. Oiling oily hair can further clog pores which is common with oily hair.