Hair oiling has long been the debate if all those efforts are worth it. The fact is they are important and not just because they’re mentioned by Ayurveda but because hair oiling has helped many to maintain and improve their hair quality. But even this simple task can go wrong if you make some common mistakes. We’re going to talk about some of these mistakes that you must avoid and also about what are the factors to look at before picking a hair oil. Let’s go!
Should you be using hair oil?
Skincare and haircare are very subjective and hence there is no real answer that fits all scalp types. But let’s understand who it is for. Oiling your hair helps you nourish the hair follicles that are present on the scalp by supplying the essential Vitamins and nutrients. Our scriptures of Ayurveda mention hair oiling as one of the daily chores but in modern times, this is not possible. Ayurveda says that there is an oil for all types of doshas and one should pick an oil accordingly. Namely, there are three doshas- Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (water and earth).
1. Vata
They need an oil that can strengthen and condition their hair since they generally have thin, dry, and frizzy hair. If you belong to this hair type and dosha, then you can pick Amayra Naturals Love Is In The Hair Oil which has Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil and much more to restore your hair health.
2. Pitta
They need a cooling oil like Bhringraj, Amla, and Jaborandi oil that can help with premature greying and alopecia which is common for those with Pitta dosha. Individuals with this dosha can pick Mantra Herbal Bhringraj And Hibiscus Nourishing Hair Oil. It has Bhringraj to calm your scalp and Hibiscus that can address premature greying of the hair. It also has shikakai which is a herb used to deeply condition your hair. You can also pick Shankara Hair & Scalp Oil which works great for all the doshas and has Bhringraj, Amla, and Sandalwood as the key ingredients.
3. Kapha
They may have oily, curly and thick hair. They need oils that can maintain their hair structure and not make the scalp greasy. So lightweight oils work best for them like Moringa, Argan, Hempseed, and Jojoba oil. Individuals with this dosha can use Curl Up Curl Nourishing Hair Oil. It comes with a spray nozzle and is a mix of 9 curly hair-loving oils.
What are the top 5 hair oiling mistakes you must avoid?
There are some common acts that we do thinking it is normal to do so. However, it can lead to hair being in trouble. So to save you from the havoc, here’s what you need to know-
1. Applying too much oil
Hair oil is used to strengthen the scalp and hair follicles; you only need the amount of oil that can cover your scalp in a very thin layer of oil. Just enough for your scalp to absorb but not too much to clog your hair follicles and irritate the scalp. Divide your hair into three parts- front hair in two parts and one portion of back hair. Now pour some oil on your one palm and use it for one section. This way you can ensure that you’re not overdoing it. Learn more about how to apply hair oil here.
2. Keeping it on overnight
Your hair oil can absorb into your scalp in a couple of hours so keeping it overnight will not make much of a difference. It can prove to be dangerous too. Keeping it overnight can clog your hair follicles and oil can even trickle down your forehead leading to transferring the bacterial growth from the scalp to the face. The best way to manage time with hair oiling is to oil first thing in the morning and take a shower 2-3 hours later.
3. Using hair oil on a greasy/flaky scalp
This one completely defies the purpose of oiling your hair. It is done to nourish your hair and so to promote fuller growth. But if you oil it on a dirty scalp then the oil will be absorbed by the dirt and that just means more bacterial party on your scalp. The perfect day to oil your hair would be the day after you wash it. This is when your scalp is dry but still not dirty. You can also oil it after washing your hair but make sure to dry your hair completely before going for a ‘champi’.
4. Not combing your hair before oiling
Just like how you should warm the oil before application for better absorption, you should also warm up your scalp a bit. Relax, we don’t mean literally putting fire on the scalp but rather combing them. Combing your hair improves blood circulation and warms up the scalp a little. This helps your hair follicles to be a bit more receptive due to the blood circulation; hence, it becomes a prime time to oil your hair.
Sublime loves House Of Beauty Jade Comb. This is a comb made out of 100% Jade stone. It helps in reducing headaches, and fatigue and promotes hair growth by improving blood circulation. Excellent massage tool for your crown!
5. Stepping out with oily hair
Oily hair is sticky which is why they easily catch dirt and pollution from the surrounding. Not just this, It can also mix up with sweat that you can’t control due to the humidity and temperature. So to avoid a damaged scalp barrier, wash your hair before stepping out with oily hair. This also applies when your hair is already washed but you’ve been through some strenuous activity like gymming or running after which your scalp may have turned greasy. The smart thing to do would be to pick a gentle shampoo to wash them after such activities.
Key takeaway
Hair oiling is a known method to nourish, exfoliate, and improve scalp circulation. However, to do it without causing any adverse reaction to the skin and scalp, you need to do it cautiously. Ensure that you’re not committing any hair oiling crimes that we’ve mentioned above and then you can see the power of oiling your hair. Scripture of Ayurveda says there is an oil for every dosha and we know if you try it out for a substantial time then you will see a drastic difference in your hair quality!
- Divya Salvi
