Hair oil is often recommended for hair care as it helps nourish the scalp and condition the hair. Normally the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands moisturizes the hair, but, due to reasons of health, styling, weather or environmental pollution, the sebum production may not be sufficient for providing the hair with the required nourishment, resulting in dry and brittle hair. Additional natural hair oil treatment may therefore be needed for maintaining the healthy quality of the hair.
Using hair oil on a weekly or bi-weekly basis can keep the hair looking healthy and glossy. There are different types of hair oil and it is necessary to have a correct idea about the hair type when choosing hair oil so that the appropriate one can be selected; people will curly hair, for instance, will needed a different natural oil treatment than those with straight hair. Many people prefer to use natural hair oil as it is generally free from chemicals and does not normally lead to any adverse effects.
Natural hair oil may consist of an essential oil and a carrier oil. The essential oil, which may be aromatic, is extracted from flowers, plants, and fruits, and the carrier oil comes from common food oils. As the essential oil can often be pungent and very strong in concentration, it needs to be diluted in the carrier oil; using concentrated essential oil may possibly cause allergic reactions. Essential oils include lavender, jasmine, lemon, myrrh, rose, sandalwood, lemon, eucalyptus and tea tree oils, while carrier oils include almond, coconut, castor, cocoa, grape seed, olive, peanut and sunflower oils. Apart from some preservatives, artificial chemicals are generally not added to natural hair oil.
Applying natural hair oil to the scalp can provide the hair follicles with much needed nutrients, and will promote thicker hair growth and reduce hair loss. The oil will also strengthen the hair and reduce split ends. Frequent hair oil massages will keep the scalp well-moisturized, and will prevent the development of dandruff. It may also be helpful in treating any scalp infections as natural hair oil can have antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can also work as a deterrent against lice infestation.
It is best to massage the natural hair oil well and leave it in the hair overnight or for at least a couple of hours before showering. A damp hot towel can be wrapped about the hair for half an hour before showering. A little oil can be lathered in with the shampoo, and this will help the hair retain its shine after it has been washed.