Do You Need To Oil Your Scalp? How To Harness The Full Power Of Oiling Your Scalp!
Rosemary oil and even peppermint oil are having a moment right now. With everyone and their mother using these natural hair oils for healthy hair growth.
With the ever-growing popularity of scalp oils, you may wonder as many others have, how often should you oil your scalp?
What Is Scalp Oiling?
Scalp oiling or hair oiling is the process of treating your hair or your scalp for styling or as a pre-shampoo treatment. It is just what it sounds like, applying oils to your scalp to nourish dry scalp and also help with itchy scalp.
Scalp oiling has also been used to help stimulate healthy hair growth, this only works if you use the right oils that contain the essential nutrients to grow your, avoid hair loss, and give you thicker hair.
The Importance Of Oiling Your Scalp
Scalp oiling is great for stimulating healthy hair growth, and preventing scalp issues like dry scalp, itchy scalp, seborrheic dermatitis as well as preventing moisture loss.
Combined with scalp massages, oiling can increase blood circulation to the scalp, which will improve your scalp health.
Using natural oils like coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, and even vegetable oil can give you great results when it comes to the health of your scalp, helping your scalp from flaking and itching.
Signs That You Need To Oil Your Scalp
If you suffer from a dry scalp or experience a lot of flaking, this is a sign that you need more hydration in your scalp. This may mean that your scalp does not produce enough natural sebum and may need some help.
Oiling your scalp will not only add some needed essential nutrients to your scalp but will also help lock in any moisture after wash days.
So reach for your favorite natural oils and give yourself an oil treatment when your scalp feels neglected or if you notice any hair thinning.
It goes without saying, if you have an oily scalp or oily hair in general that scalp oiling may not be the best fit for you.
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Benefits of Hair Oil On Your Scalp
There are many benefits of oiling your scalp that can be great for all different hair types. Some of the main oiling benefits are:
- Moisturizes hair that is dry and brittle
- Helps with dry scalp and dandruff
- Can help increase the blood circulation in your scalp
- Strengthens hair
- Adds shine to hair
- Helps prevent split ends and frizz
- Add smoothness and shine
- Boosts overall scalp health
- May promote hair growth
- Prevents breakage by strengthening the hair
- Can prevent hygral fatigue
- Protects the hair follicles during wash day
- Decongests the scalp when you use oils like peppermint oil or tea tree oil
- Great pre-shampoo treatment
Side Effects Of Oiling Your Scalp
While scalp oils are great, they can also come with their disadvantages, like:
- If you have a sensitive scalp you can have an allergic reaction to ingredients in the scalp oil
- If not applied properly, you can clog the pores or cause product buildup
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How To Oil Your Scalp:
When oiling your scalp you have a few options, from pre-shampoo treatments to hot oil treatments, scalp massages, or deep conditioning.
What you choose depends on your hair needs, hair type, and how far away your next wash day is.
How To Do Scalp Oiling With A Scalp Massage:
- Choose the right oils based on what your hair needs, to choose the best oil I suggest you read
- Add a few drops of oil to your scalp and rub it into your scalp in circular motions with your fingertips
- Now you can begin your scalp massage, starting at the nape of the neck, adding more oil as needed, be careful not to use too much oil as excess oil can cause you to have an oily scalp
- Using both hands, work upwards towards the crown of your head. Move over to the base of the ear to work towards the top of the head again and repeat on the other side
- Do this for 5-10 minutes to really have an effective oil massage and stimulate healthy blood flow, any excess oil can be rubbed off on the ends of your hair
- Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for 45 minutes to an hour
- Wash the oil out with your regular shampoo and rinse your hair thoroughly
- Condition as normal, or use coconut oil as a conditioner for an even more hydrating hair treatment
If you choose to do a pre-poo treatment, I have a great routine that will make your wash days much easier. If you decide to go the route of a hot oil treatment, I also have a routine that I love to do here.
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Best Oils For Scalp Oiling
There are numerous oils to choose from when oiling your scalp, here are some of my favorites:
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a great choice for scalp oiling; it is rich in fatty acids and boasts antimicrobial properties.
- Castor Oil: Castor oil is one of the more thick oils that is rich in fatty acids. It can help to moisturize and prevent hair breakage. Read about how to use Castor oil for extreme hair growth.
- Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is a lightweight oil that is easily absorbed. It can help to moisturize the hair and scalp without leaving it oily.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which can help to nourish the hair and scalp. Palmer’s Olive Oil Formula Hair Conditioning and Scalp Oil Spray contains olive oil and is great to use by itself or added to a conditioner or diy hair mask to amplify its benefits.
- Argan Oil: Argan oil is rich in vitamin E, which is essential for healthy hair. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to reduce hair breakage. OGX Frizz-Free + Keratin Smoothing Oil Miracle Gloss Spray is a lightweight oil spray that provides a conditioning blend of oils with Argan Oil as part of the formulation.
Related Post: How Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Improve Hair Growth
How Often Should You Oil Your Scalp
How often you use scalp oil depends on your specific hair needs and your scalp.
I recommend nothing more than once a week, but atleast doing it every 2 to 3 weeks if you have a more oily scalp and don’t need to oil your scalp so often.
FAQ About Scalp Oiling For A Healthy Scalp:
- Should you oil your scalp everyday natural hair? No, excessively oiling can lead to clogged pores and excess oil will build up.
- How often should I put oil in my natural hair? Once a week is enough, whether you are doing protective styles or hot oil hair treatments, once a week is enough for oiling your scalp.
- How long does it take to see results from scalp oiling? When done right, oiling your scalp will give you many benefits that you can start seeing as soon as after your first wash day.
- What are the disadvantages of oiling your scalp? As mentioned, an oily scalp and clogged pores are potential disadvantages of oiling your scalp.
- Does oiling your scalp help it grow? When using essential oils that can stimulate healthy hair growth, yes oiling can stimulate hair growth.
- How do you know hair oil is working? When your scalp starts to feel more hydrated and there is more shine in your hair, you know the scalp oils are working.
- How do you properly oil your scalp? Adding a few drops to your scalp and massage in circular motions, making sure to wash it out after an hour.
- What time should you oil your scalp? Just before you shampoo your hair.
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14 Comments
Sonja
This is a thing that I have struggled with so a long time! Thank you for the actionable steps and information <3
Debbie
These are great tips for those of us with naturally curly hair. I’ve never tried scalp oiling but inspired to give it a try soon. Thanks for the great tips.
Hannah Bures
I have never oiled my hair before. I have a ton of flakes that is kind of embarrassing. I will have to try this and see if it works!
tahila
You will not regret oiling!
Victoria Prasad
I don’t oil my hair as often as I should, I really should! Thank you for the reminder. My daughter has really, long beautiful hair and she oils her hair regularly. She has seen fantastic results.
tahila
Your daughter knows what’s up. Oiling your scalp is your hair’s bestfriend.
Christy G
I’ve never heard of this procedure before. But I can see how it could be beneficial for a dry scalp unless it’s caused by dandruff or another medical condition.
tahila
Definitely!
Alexa
I have been wanting to try oil on my scalp because it is so dry!
tahila
Stop waiting, just do it!
Lynndee
I have not tried oiling my scalp. But after learning all those benefits, I may have to try it one day. Thanks for the idea!
lavanda
I recently realized how beneficial oiling the scalp was especially for us with curly hair! My hair has never felt healthier!!
Vidya
we grew up with oiling our hair regularly in India, and while i don’t do it as regularly as i did before, i truly believe in the power of oiling..
Monidipa Dutta
This is my first time coming across this process but it sounds effective, will try it!