Along passing down secret family recipes, every Indian grandmother passes down the ayurvedic practice of oiling and massaging your hair regularly. While this ritual has been rooted in southern Asia for a very long time, the practice of massaging hair oil into your roots has recently gained popularity in the west as a part of every “that girl” hair care regime on Tiktok.
Oil treatment is backed by numerous modern-day benefits which would appeal to people living with increasing stress and pollution levels. Besides serving as an excuse to strengthen our bond with our mothers who lovingly help us with the ritual, it also strengthens the roots, improves blood circulation, supports the growth of hair follicles and de-stresses the mind.
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Here are some advantages to oiling your hair at least twice a week:
Hydration:
Oiling the hair helps moisturise and nourish it, targeting dryness and brittleness. An added benefit is its ability to make jaws drop once you untie your hair, just like in the movies.
Strengthening:
Regular oiling can strengthen the hair while reducing breakage and split ends.
Stimulating hair growth:
Massaging the scalp with oil can improve blood circulation, which in turn can promote hair growth. Practising this with parental guidance is highly recommended for some extra love and care.
Fighting dandruff:
Certain oils, such as tea tree oil, have antifungal properties that can help to combat dandruff and other scalp issues.
Improving hair texture:
Oiling the hair can help to improve its texture, making it smoother, softer, and more manageable.
Protecting hair from damage:
Oil can provide a protective barrier to the hair, reducing damage from heat styling tools as well as environmental factors such as pollution and UV rays.
How to use hair oil effectively
Depending on the type of treatment you choose, oiling your hair can be the perfect way to unwind. Here are our top picks of a few oil treatments to choose from:
Pre-shampoo:
This involves applying oil to the hair and scalp prior to your hair wash. It is a quick yet effective way of providing nourishment and hydration.
Overnight:
Applying oil to the hair and leaving it overnight can be very effective. It allows the oil to penetrate deeply into the hair and scalp.
Hot oil treatment:
Heating the oil before applying it to the hair can help open up the hair cuticles and allow for better absorption of the oil. You can heat the oil by placing the container in warm water or by microwaving it for a few seconds.
Scalp massage:
Massaging the scalp while applying the oil can improve blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. Use your fingertips to massage the oil into the scalp in circular motions.
Steam treatment:
Apply the oil to the hair and then wrap a hot towel around the head. The heat from the towel will help the oil better absorb into your hair.
Leave-in:
Applying a small amount of oil to the hair after washing and conditioning can help to provide additional moisture and nourishment all day. Make sure to use an oil that’s light and not as greasy so that your hair continues to look fresh after a wash.
Whichever treatment you go for, remember to use a wide-tooth comb after applying oil to distribute it evenly from the roots to the tips.
