I honestly never considered a white girl with naturally oily hair could use a oil treatment. I figured why would I oil my hair when I have to much as it is! I had always figured African America's, or girls with thick dry hair used oil on there hair. And if they did I still didn't know much of anything about it, because I still didn't have any friends that used oil treatments.
So I figured why not! I'll give this a shot, worst I'll have to do is wash my hair twice. It was an interesting experience. It did help my hair feel softer, and my scalp wasn't as itchy as it usually was. So after that experience I decided to look some things up.
Oils can smoothen your hair, detangle it and nourish the roots depending on the composition of the oil.
Oiling hair has “a multi-dimensional effect”, says Dr. Rohini Wadhwani of Skin Essentials, “It helps by increasing the tensile strength of the hair, reducing the frizziness and preventing breakage.”
Beyond the product itself, the massaging technique used when applying oil also has a litany of benefits. “It increases or stimulates of the circulation of blood to the scalp, helps to bring the nutrients to the scalp, which then works by nourishing the hair,” she explains. “And it also acts like a stress buster which is also one of the causes of hair fall.”
Once a Week is all you Need!
With regular conditioner, you use it every time you wash your hair. When you use olive oil as a treatment, you will find that you will likely only need to condition your hair once a week. Damaged or course hair might do best with two treatments a week but you will not have to do it daily. Typically, once a week for about half an hour, always before you wash your hair, will usually be enough.
How to Apply Olive Oil as a Treatment
You will need to start off with your hair unwashed but brushed. Wear an old t-shirt and you might want to stand on an old towel or sheet because it will probably drip. Do NOT do this in your shower; it will turn the floor of your shower into a slippery mess.
In a microwave safe bowl, pour about ½ cup of olive oil and microwave for just about thirty seconds. You want it to be warm but not hot.
Use your fingertips to massage olive oil into your scalp so that your entire scalp is covered and then use a comb dipped in the olive oil to coat the rest of your hair. Tuck your hair into a plastic shower cap or wrap your head in a towel. Leave the olive oil on for half an hour and then wash your hair in the sink. After you shampoo your hair, rinse with cold water but there will be no need to use a separate conditioner.
* I actually did this and my hair was so soft in the morning! Definitely something I will continue to do. :)
So what's your experience using oil treatments? Do you find them helpful for your hair type?
I can not express how much I LOVE the Hair One Brand. I've been an avid user for three years now. I use the type with Jojoba oil for colored hair. And most of the time that's the only product that I'll clean my hair with in the shower.
ReplyDeleteBut as a fellow white girl (hey!) I have very oily hair depending on the climate and what my diet is like. So I haven't needed to do any one treatments in the past. But I went and got the very tips of my hair bleached and it dried those puppies out! So I use a product with argan oil in it and it makes a difference. I 'll apply it through the ends and up half ways. I'll use it a couple of times a week.