Oiling hair is a beauty routine that originated from Ayurvedic medicine and is thought to be the world’s oldest healing science. But, why should you oil your hair? Ever wondered?
Here are 9 reasons why you should oil your hair:
1. To seal moisture
If you realize that even after moisturizing, your hair feels dry immediately after, the problem could be that you are not sealing the moisture to prevent it from evaporating.
This is where oils come in handy.
Sealing is achieved by applying an oil or butter over your hair strands immediately after moisturizing.
Oils seal the cuticle locking in moisture within the hair strand. As a result, the hair strand can retain the moisture longer.
Moisturized hair is soft and pliable hence less susceptible to damage.
2. For nourishing & stimulating growth
Just like the rest of your body, hair needs nutrients to grow healthy.
While it is evident that you can make some dietary modifications to nourish your hair from the inside out, you cannot ignore nourishing from the outside.
Oils are a good source of nutrients to the hair.
Different oils contain fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in varying amounts.
When applied on hair and scalp they restore lost nutrients that could have been stripped off by frequent shampooing.
If you have low porosity hair, go for light oils such as argan oil, these penetrate the cuticles easily.
For people with high porosity hair, heavier sealants like almond oil and olive oil are good.
3. To strengthen hair
Oils are good in strengthening the hair shaft.
They lubricate the hair shaft and makes hair less susceptible to damage even on exposure to mechanical stress. With less hair breakage you’ll notice increased hair length.
Oils also improve nourishment of hair follicles leading to growth of thicker and stronger hair strands.
4. For heat protection
Heat damage on hair results from frequent use of heat styling tools such as hair dryers, flat iron, and curling iron.
To prevent this damage, you need a heat protectant.
Some natural oils can serve as heat protectants as they coat the hair strands locking in moisture. This helps prevent damage when the hair is subjected to heat styling.
Oils that can act as heat protectants include: refined coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, refined avocado oil, refined safflower oil, tree seed oil and camelina oil.
An important characteristic of these oils is that they have a high smoke point meaning they can withstand high amount of heat before they disintegrate.
5. Oils soothe the scalp and prevent dandruff
Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis are among the main reasons for scalp irritation.
These conditions are caused by scalp dryness and infection of the scalp by bacteria or fungi.
Oils such as Tea Tree oil and Peppermint oil are loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties thus help heal dandruff and other scalp infections.
Oiling also helps in exfoliation.
Exfoliation is the removal of the dead skin cells on outer layer of your skin. Removal of these cells helps to totally remove infection on the scalp. Once the scalp health has been restored irritation ceases.
In the case where the scalp is still healthy these oils inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi that cause development scalp infections including dandruff.
6. Oils improve shine and hair texture
Sebum, a natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp, gives hair its natural sheen.
Chemical treatment, heat styling, or polluted environ cause these oils to be lost. As a result, hair becomes dull and dry.
Oils contain fatty acids that help replace lost hair oils. Since oils are essential ingredients in giving hair a healthy appearance and texture, hair oiling helps restore hair sheen and improve hair texture, hair becomes softer.
According to a study, sunflower oil and mineral oils were found to absorb on the surface of the cuticle reducing friction in between hair strands and improving hair’s sheen. [1]
7. To stimulate blood circulation
Blood plays an important role in providing oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues including the hair follicles.
Health issues and problems with blood vessels can inhibit the blood distribution process.
Without adequate nutrients and oxygen, the hair follicles cannot work properly.
This eventually results in the growth of thin, short and fragile hair strands. Massaging oils onto the scalp can help improve blood circulation within the scalp. This leads to more hair growth.
Peppermint is a good example of an oil that offers such a benefit. Peppermint oil contains menthol up to 40%.
A study shows that upon application, menthol causes blood vessels to dilate/ widen hence increasing blood flow. [2]
Other essential oils which can offer similar benefits include lavender, thyme, rosemary, and cedarwood oils.
8. To reduce thinning and breakage
You should oil your scalp to reduce to reduce thinning and breakage.
Dihydrotestosterone is the hormone believed to cause hair thinning and hair loss in both men and women.
A study showed that rosemary oil reduces dihydrotestosterone levels in the hair follicles therefore it helps prevent hair thinning and hair loss. [3]
9. Oiling protects the hair against UV radiation
Botanical oils, oils that are derived from stems, flowers and seeds of plants, contain plant phenols with antioxidant properties.
These compounds with antioxidant properties protect the skin and hair against harmful UV radiation that cause generation of reactive oxygen species.
They also neutralize free radicals already present on the hair.
If left, free radicals cause hair dryness, loss of hair color and luster, reduced hair strength and rough hair texture.
Oils that provide protection against harmful UV radiation include almond oil, mustard oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, olive oil, peanut oil, and cottonseed oil.
Typically, hair oiling should be done once or twice a week. When oiling let the hair oil to soak in overnight allows you to reap maximum benefits.
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Before you go, which of these reasons as to why you should oil your hair is your favorite?
- To seal moisture
- For nourishing & stimulating hair growth
- To strengthen the hair
- For heat protection
- Oils soothes the scalp and prevent dandruff
- Oils improve shine and hair texture
- To stimulate blood circulation
- To reduce thinning and breakage
- Oiling protects the hair against UV radiation
