The Do’s and Don’ts of Oiling your Hair

After a stressful day at work or a hectic day of running errands, there’s nothing better than treating yourself to a relaxing head massage. Whatever life throws at you, oiling can help you handle it better. Oiling your hair is also a good idea if you want to keep your hair healthy and nourished.

However, the art of oiling has been passed on from one generation to the other and there may have been some mistakes that would have gotten passed down for generations as well. It is time we understand the science behind oiling and make informed choices when it comes to oiling your hair. 

How often should you oil your hair? How much oil should you apply? How should you select your hair oil? If these are the common questions you generally have about oiling, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some important Do’s and Don’ts that will clarify all your oiling concerns:

Know your hair type:

Let’s start with the basics. Before you start oiling your hair, it is important to know your hair type. Oiling frequency may be different for dry and damaged hair as compared to oily hair. Also, your hair type will help determine the ingredients and the type of oil that your hair needs. 

Don’t buy hair oil without learning about the ingredients:

Do you often buy hair oil with random recommendations? Don’t. When it comes to hair oil, it is not a “one type fits all” situation. Learn about which hair oil will suit your hair type and what ingredients are best for your hair concerns. For example, Onion is a great ingredient for promoting hair growth, but if you are looking for a cooling, relaxing oil massage that helps smoothen your hair, you can opt for peppermint oil with menthol crystals. With the wide variety of hair care collections at WOW Skin Science, you can find the perfect ingredient for all your hair woes.

Apply oil before washing your hair:

This is something you might already know. Shampoos can make your hair dry and frizzy. To make sure that your hair gets cleaned but still remains nourished and frizz-free, apply oil every time before you wash your hair. Even if it is difficult to keep up with it every time, try to oil your hair at least twice a week. However, if you have an oily scalp, you can reduce the frequency of oiling your hair.

Never keep the oil in your hair for too long:

Experts suggest that keeping your hair oiled for long periods of time can attract dust and impurities. So even if your traditional knowledge suggests that the longer you keep your hair oiled the better, it may not be right. A good duration to get the most nourishment from oiling your hair would be 30 minutes to 4 hours. Even if you are an overnight oil applier, wash your hair first thing in the morning and never travel to places with dust after oiling. 

Apply an adequate amount of oil:

When it comes to oiling, less is more. It is not about how much oil you apply but how well you apply. So apply enough oil that covers your scalp and hair but not so much that it starts dripping or showing up on your pillow. Also, the more oil you apply, the more shampoo you will need to wash it off, which can also dry your hair. That’s not what we want from oiling, right? Heating the oil can also help it reach deeper into the scalp and moisturize better. 

Don’t tie your hair tightly after oiling:

When you oil your scalp, the hair cuticles open up. If you tie your hair too tightly after oiling, there is a high risk you will end up losing more hair strands than you normally do. Tie them lightly. The same principle applies to combing your hair right after oiling. Don’t. It might lead to more hair fall. 

Always opt for an all-natural hair oil:

When it comes to selecting a hair oil or any hair product for that matter, go for an all-natural variant. Get a hair oil that has no harmful chemicals including paraben, sulphate, mineral oil, or artificial chemicals. The best way to find the perfect hair oil is to select the ingredients that fulfil your hair concern requirements the best. The haircare range by WOW Skin Science is made from natural ingredients and is completely free of chemicals that can damage your hair or scalp. 

The traditional “champi” or the modern-day “head massage” is popularly considered to be the magical solution to hair woes. But what many of us often forget is that there is a right way and a wrong way to oil your hair. We may understand the importance of oiling, but it is also time that we understand the “how” of it to make sure that we are doing it right. After all, your hair is the crown that you never take off! It deserves to be nourished and taken care of.