If you already oil your hair, you know how transformative it can be. People who swear by hair oiling say that it helps with everything from hair growth to reducing dandruff—and it’s a ritual that can relax you, too. As an integral part of the long history of Ayurveda, a form of traditional Indian medicine dating back over 5,000 years, it’s one of the simplest ways to make your hair care deliver results while you de-stress.
But what does it entail? At its simplest, hair oiling involves massaging oil—often coconut or sesame oil in Ayurvedic traditions, but you could also use our jojoba-infused Being Frenshe Body & Hair Radiance Oil—into your scalp, then letting it sit before cleansing your hair. The beauty of this ritual is its leisurely pace; we don’t suggest doing it when you’re in a rush, as leaving the oil on your scalp helps with exfoliation, moisturizing, improved circulation, and more. Plus, going slow will help you enjoy the process.
What are the benefits and risks of hair oiling?
If you struggle with an oily scalp, you might think that this trend is not for you, but it’s not true. Regardless of how dry your hair may (or may not) be, anyone can benefit from this practice. Oiling can serve as a deep nourishing treatment for your hair, helping to reduce frizz and retain moisture. There’s some evidence that, thanks to the circulation boost, it may even benefit those who suffer from hair loss. And of course, hair oiling will make your strands shine.
How to implement hair oiling in your routine
Oiling your hair is easy to add to your everything shower routine. Alternatively, it can be done when your hair will be undergoing a lot of stress (e.g., after a strong chemical treatment). If you’re just doing it as an at-home deep conditioning treatment, let the oil soak in for at least 20 minutes before following with your usual washing routine. You can leave the oil on overnight, too, as long as you rinse it off the next day. When washing, make sure you’re thoroughly cleaning your scalp by shampooing twice to ensure you have no oil left over. From there, style as normal—and enjoy the benefits.
Photo by Armin Rimoldi.