How to Oil Your Hair - While some cringe with the very idea of applying oil to their hair, there are others who have been following this age old tradition since time immemorial. There are several advantages to this practice which help insure that the health of the hair is maintained irrespective of the change in lifestyle or the daily hustle and bustle of work schedules. Oil therapy is also proven to be an amazing stress reliever apart from being excellent for promoting hair growth. This article will tell you all you need to know about how to oil your hair properly so that your tresses grow long and strong.
Why Do We Need Oil in Our Hair
Many people often wonder as to why our hair needs extra oil when there is sufficient oil being produced by the sebaceous glands? Well the answer to this question is simple. The scalp needs nutrition which it does not receive from sebum, instead, sebum if allowed to secrete in excess, makes the scalp oily and smelly, because the oil gets embroiled with sweat, dust and other pollutants. This creates a cumulative layer which acts as a sheath which blocks the pores or the follicles, which in turn restricts the proper growth of hair from the roots. It also increases the chances of developing dandruff and other scalp infections as a result of the unhygienic condition of the skin cells on the scalp.
Secondly, the sebum isn't enough to provide sufficient moisture to the hair follicle, which is the thick protective cover which contains the inner hair threads and cells. These hair follicles need to be kept hydrated and supple so as to prevent them from tearing, splitting, snapping and falling. Oil, on the other hand, provides all these protective properties to the hair follicles, as well as to the roots from where new hair sprouts and continues its extension.
Thirdly, the amount of sebum secreted may fluctuate depending on our health condition from time to time, wherein if we are unwell, or there are hormonal imbalances, or we are generally unhealthy, the damage will show on our hair cells as well. Similarly, if we are not on a healthy diet or have an unhealthy lifestyle, the consequences shall result in slow hair growth, hair fall, dry and brittle hair. The secretion of sebum could also be affected by medications we may be taking. Hair may also get damaged due to exposure to pollution as well the amount of stress we suffer.
How to Oil Your Hair Properly
You need to oil your hair at least once in a week if not twice, which would yield the best results. Here is what you should do:
- Before you begin to oil your hair, it is recommended that you try and open up your scalp pores so that they absorb oil faster.
- In order to open your pores you must use the hot towel therapy, in which you need to heat your towel either through steam or by dipping it in hot water.
- Squeeze out the hot water and then wrap the hot towel around your head like a turban. All your hair must be secured within the towel. Let the towel remain for 2-3 minutes and then repeat this procedure about 5 times. You may apply hot oil your hair soon after this.
- Use a natural unrefined hair oil, such as extra virgin olive oil for hair, pure almond oil, coconut oil, etc.
- Now heat the oil by placing the container in a bowl of boiling water or by heating a bit of oil in the microwave.
- Divide your hair into small sections and then apply the oil using your fingertips only.
- Make sure you apply ample amounts of oil all over the scalp, taking each section of hair at a time. Repeat this procedure with all the scalp sections one at a time.
- Once your done oiling the entire scalp, continue with the sections by oiling the hair, beginning from the root to the tip of the hair.
- Once your entire hair has been oiled, you should use your finder tips to massage the oil into your scalp.
- Massage your scalp in gentle circular motion, this will help you relax and distress while the oil is getting absorbed by the hair follicles.
- Allow the oil to remain either for a few hours or for the entire night after which you must wash it with lukewarm water and a good quality shampoo and conditioner.
Try and avoid hair straighteners and blow dryers as far as possible, since these damage hair even further. Avoid leave on conditioners and other hair products as all chemicals harm hair and will result in damage as some point or the other. Another very important fact about having beautiful hair is that you need to make it a point to drink lots of water at regular intervals. You need to exercise, eat healthy and live healthy in order to flaunt healthy hair. Hopefully this article on how to oil your hair has been informative and will prove beneficial in the future.