How to Practice Hair Oiling for Your Hair Type

HairTok may have introduced hair oiling to a younger audience, but the practice has been around for ages. Hair oiling is over 3,000 years old and is recommended in Ayurvedic practices (known for its whole-body wellness systems) as part of the dinacharya or daily routine. It’s touted as the secret to having luscious, voluminous, and shiny hair.

Learn more about this much-raved-about hair-saving trend on TikTok and the best way to do it, according to your hair type.

According to Ayurvedic principles, the way to good hair growth is a well-balanced and nourished scalp. In the ancient Indian practice of hair oiling, natural oils are massaged carefully and intently onto the scalp to help manage hair loss, prevent gray hairs, and promote shiny, thick, and well-moisturized locks.

Using the proper techniques and the right oils that suit your hair and scalp condition can offer multiple benefits, such as:

• Soothing the scalp: Oils can help restore the pH balance of your scalp, which is important in preventing issues such as dryness, irritation, or flakes.
• Reviving moisture and shine: Hair oils can help hold in water and give your locks a moisture boost. 
• Conditioning hair: The oils can help smoothen and tame frizz and flyaways and protect hair from breakage and split ends.
• Relaxing and stimulating the scalp: The act of massaging the oils onto your scalp – ah, it’s relaxing! Not to mention that this helps promote blood flow and stimulate hair follicles for your scalp to better absorb the nourishing oils.

The process of hair oiling is the same for all hair types, but you can customize it depending on the oils you'll use. Hair oil options can depend on the benefits you’re after and your current hair condition. Lightweight oils work for fine hair, and thicker oils are best for dry, brittle hair, for example. Learn about the specific hair oils to try, depending on your hair type.

Straight hair, by nature, is smooth in texture because the sebum from the scalp can trickle easily down to the hair strands. What do you struggle with on a bad hair day? Greasy roots and flat, limp locks. Here are the best hair oil options for you:

• Grapeseed oil: Lightweight oils, such as grapeseed oil and argan oil, are most suitable if you have fine, oily hair. These oils won’t weigh your hair down while sealing your hair cuticles, for smooth, shiny, and damage-free locks.
• Almond oil: Almond oil has vitamins and minerals that can nourish your hair strands without leaving them oily and flat.
• Lavender oil: Consider adding a drop of essential oils to the mix. Lavender oil, for example, can help prevent hair thinning and promote hair growth.

Wavy hair can be prone to dryness and damage. Because of its shape, it’ll be challenging for the scalp oils to travel down the strands. You need thick hair oils that can help lock moisture into your waves.

• Coconut oil: This is known for its repairing components and moisture content, penetrating deeply into the hair shaft for ultra hydration.
• Olive oil: Olive oil has antioxidant properties that nourish the hair and scalp. A great hair oil for frizzy hair, this leaves you with more manageable waves.
• Tea tree oil: A quick hair care hack? Add a dollop of tea tree essential oil to your coconut or olive oil. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that can help soothe the scalp and eliminate fungi and bacteria.

The S-shaped strands of your curls and coils make it extra difficult for your scalp’s natural oils to glide down and coat your hair. This leaves your hair dry and frizzy, making it more vulnerable and prone to damage and breakage. Because it lacks moisture, your curly hair can benefit from the following:

• Shea butter: It has a thick consistency softens and moisturizes curls, protects against pollutants, and revives damaged hair. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties also soothe the scalp, preventing irritation and inflammation.
• Avocado oil: For curly hair, use hair oils that can deeply moisturize hair, tame frizz, and soften and detangle your hair strands. Avocado oil can strengthen your hair strands and leave you with more defined curls.
• Argan oil: Also try mixing in a few drops of argan oil with the shea butter or avocado oil to help add shine, reduce frizz, and improve hair elasticity, which is essential for curly, coily hair.

The steps of hair oiling are pretty simple. After all, in ancient India, this practice was meant to be done every day, so it should be an easy process. You can best decide whether to do it as a weekly treatment or twice each month, depending on your needs. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide.

• Choose the oil for your hair type: Not all oils are equal. Make the most out of your hair oiling practice by using oils that suit your hair type and needs.
• Apply the oil and massage with care: Start with clean, dry hair. Part your hair into small sections. Massage the oil onto your scalp using your fingertips. Then, work your way down to the strands and focus on the tips, which are usually drier. 
• Leave it on: Allow the oils to be absorbed fully for at least 30 minutes. Depending on your hair condition, you can leave it on for three to four hours. Longer sitting time means more time for the oils to coat and condition your hair.
• Rinse off thoroughly: Wash off with warm or lukewarm water gently, but make sure to leave no residue behind. 
• Shampoo and condition your hair: Use a mild but nourishing shampoo and conditioner. Wash your scalp thoroughly to prevent buildup and excess oil, then follow with a conditioner.

Try Dove Ceramide Intense Repair Shampoo, which is enriched with ceramides, for hair that is 10x stronger against breakage. This is best used with Dove Ceramide Intense Repair Conditioner which has the same ceramides combined with conditioning technologies to smooth and detangle hair. It leaves you with soft, nourished hair that looks and feels lightweight and moisturized.

Hair oiling is beneficial for different hair types and concerns. Follow the simple steps and use the suggested oils to help address your hair and scalp needs. Let this age-old hair practice relax your mind – and transform your hair, too.