The practice of oiling the scalp is just as old as it can get; adding oil and massaging it into your scalp increases the moisture in your scalp. To some, this is a childhood practice, as you get to sit in between mama’s knees, waiting for the oil to be applied to prepare the head for styling.
This practice keeps the head hydrated, adding useful minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids to your hair. These added ingredients help strengthen the scalp, boost the rate of hair growth, and sustain moisture. Though each strand of hair has oil glands, there’s still a need to oil it as your scalp gets dry due to some factors.
One reason for the dryness of the hair is the occlude of pores on the scalp. Due to the nature of some jobs or even the environment, we get exposed to dust and heat, and a thin layer of dust can close your scalp pores. Applying oil to the scalp helps moisturize the scalp and even open the pores.
Even when there are many benefits attached to oiling your scalp, there are also the down parts. As the saying goes, “too much of everything is bad,” so also is too much oiling of the scalp. You can’t just be applying oil to your scalp all the time. This brings us to the question, “How often should I oil my scalp?” before answering this, let’s get to know some pros and cons attached to oiling the scalp.
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Pros Of Applying Oil To Your Scalp
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It helps prevent hair loss.
Applying oil to your scalp helps in so many ways. It also aids in preventing hair loss by exfoliating the scalp, clears off dead skin, and nourishes the hair. All these processes help in preventing hair loss.
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It keeps the scalp saturated.
Applying oil to your scalp is a good medium for adding essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals with fatty acids to your hair—these ingredients aids in keeping your scalp in good condition, maintain moisture and boost hair growth.
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Quickens hair regulation and reduces stress
Oiling your scalp aids in stimulating the rate of blood circulation across the scalp. Also, a good scalp massage can help relax the mind and relief your body from stress. You will attain a state of calmness as this method also enhances the level of blood circulation in your scalp, as earlier stated.
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Help prevent dandruff and strengthen your hair.
Like lice and ticks, dandruff is also attracted to an open, dry, and moist(seating) scalp due to the effects of dust and other pollutants. Applying oil to your scalp will certainly help in dislodging dead skin cells, which causes dandruff. It also helps in enhancing the strength of the hair, reducing unwanted curls and breakage.
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Hair oil hydrates the scalp and hair.
Your hair loses hydration due to its exposure to weather, and when the hair gets dry, you tend to lose more hair. Applying oil to your scalp a day before and shampooing it the next day is a good move in preventing dryness.
Cons Of Oiling Your Scalp
While it looks more beneficial oiling your scalp, remember, “Anything that’s got an advantage will also have disadvantages.” It’s 50-50 stuff. Below are the disadvantages of oiling your scalp.
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Too much oil on your scalp can cause the buildup of pollutants
Oiling your scalp helps clean off dead skin that causes dandruff, but it will encourage it when the oiling gets too much. When much oil is allowed to soak into your scalp, it’ll lead to infections. To prevent this, maintain a healthy wash schedule and avoid too much oiling.
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Oiling the scalp makes your hair look glossy.
Over oiling gives the hair a shiny, dirty look. Using oil on the natural oil which your hair produces might be a bit much. Talk more of over oiling. Just try to apply your oil moderately, and with this, you can avoid a glossy appearance.
Scalp Oiling – What Oil Is Good For My Scalp?
People are using oil on their scalp depends on their hair needs. These oils are a great way of adding and sealing in moisture and clearing off buildups of dry skin. Before using a particular oil, ensure you test it to ensure you don’t have an allergy. Below is a comprehensive list of oils that you can use on your scalp.
- Avocado
- Coconut
- Almond
- moringa
- Argan
- amla
- sesame
- jaborandi
According to Ayurveda medicine, the structure and well-being of your hair are determined by its doshas. These doshas can be said to be the energy humor or bioenergy center. These doshas can be divided into three, namely, Vata, pitta, and Kapha.
According to the Ayurveda head coach Dr. Varalaskmi Yanamandra, when the Vata is high, the hair tends to be dry and curly, and it’ll need constant oiling. Those with high pitta have a blend of oily and dry hair and are prone to early graying and alopecia. Finally, those with high Kapha will have oily, long, curly hair and not need regular piling. Getting the right depends largely on your doshas. Below is a list of oils that you can use in oiling your scalp.
Coconut Oil
A good choice for naturals is coconut oil. It’s the most commonly used hair oil, especially in South Asia. It comprises sunflower, grape seed, baobab oils, and Lauric acid. Unfortunately, coconut oil doesn’t function on all types of hairs. People are using it as a scalp treatment to reduce the rate of dandruff infestation and also boost hair growth. With low weight, the oil can easily move through the hair shaft. This oil also provides protection, and it’s a good fit for certain hair types.
Sesame Oil
High in vitamin B1, Calcium, copper, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc, this oil is ideal for the Vata hair types as it reduces the occurrence of curly dirty hair. It provides deep conditioning to the scalp and relaxes the hair shaft. With its anti-fungal and antibacterial components, dandruff will surely be far away from your head.
Almond Oil
This oil is lighter in weight than sesame oil and also thicker than coconut oil. It’s ideal for the pitta types as it contains vitamins B, K, and E. It also aids in hair growth.
Jaborandi Oil
Jaborandi, a medicinal plant from the tropical forest of South America, people are using widely in making shampoos and gels. Jaborandi aids in clearing off dandruff, having many effects than most oils, and helps foster hair growth. It enriches and clears off the dry scalp and prevents premature graying.
Bhringraj Oil
For the pitta hair type, the Bhringraj oil makes a perfect choice. It aids in protecting the scalp and also leaves a cooling effect on the hair, keeping it moisturizer all day. This oil also protects the scalp from dandruff, peeling of dry skin from the scalp.
How Often Should I Oil My Scalp?
Those with the oily hair type might want to keep off from using oil on their scalp, having a reason for their hair getting sticky. Mind you, giving your scalp an oil massage helps in relaxing and also hydrating it. It also loosens blocked pores. I have oily hair, and I still apply coconut oil to it just for its nourishment.
With oily hair, you can choose to oil your hair once every 7 days or even once in every 15 days. Always remember to stick to the schedule.
People with healthy hair (not looking oily and dry either) should oil their scalp once or twice a week. If you’ve not massaged your scalp for some time now, you’ll have to do so daily without skipping a day for a week before moving onto the normal schedule of once a week. Weekends are also a great time to oil your scalp since you’ll relax and be less busy. Your scalp remains oiled for some time before taking a bath.
Finally, those with dry hair should endeavor to oil their scalp daily to prevent dandruff invasion. Most persons with dry hair always choose to follow a daily routine of piling their scalp for a few minutes before bathing. This protects the skin against bacterial infections and also prevents rashes and all sorts of infections.
Final Thoughts
As earlier stated, oiling the scalp depends on the type of hair you have. Dry hair needs regular oiling to prevent bacterial and fungal attacks, and other hair types have their requirements. Also, check for the best oil which suits your hair type as not to use one which will make your hair look a little bit greasy and too dirty. If you’ve got questions or add one relating to the topic or products listed, feel free to ask as we’re always happy and willing to help!