Hair oiling is an essential part of your hair care routine, helping to restore moisture and promote healthy growth. It is more than a beauty product; it is a remedy for lifeless locks.

But when and how do you use hair oil to make your hair shinier and stronger? At Haste, we understand the transformative power of hair oils and are here to help you incorporate them into your routine.

Let’s look at when, why, and how to use hair oil to achieve healthy hair.

How to Use Hair Oil

The fantastic thing is that you can use hair oil before washing your hair as a pre-shampoo treatment, after your wash, or at night as a scalp treatment.

How to Use Hair Oil as a Pre-Poo

Oil can be used as a pre-poo or pre-shampoo treatment to help retain moisture in the hair and prevent breakage during shampooing.

Dry hair tends to lose moisture quickly, and hair oil can be beneficial. Oil coats the hair cuticle, filling the gaps to prevent further damage.

We recommend using butter or rich oils as a pre-poo treatment. Since you will wash it out after using it, you need not worry about it building up or becoming heavy if you have fine hair.

Steps:

1. Start using the oil on dry hair and divide your hair into sections.
2. Only apply a small amount to your palms and smooth it over your hair. Do not saturate your hair.
3. Apply the oil to one section at a time, then detangle the hair using your fingers or a brush.
4. Leave the oil on your hair for five minutes, and then shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

How to Use Hair Oil During Styling

A key point to note is that hair oils do not hydrate and cannot repair dry hair. They only seal and lock in moisture. If your hair is dry, it’s best to hydrate it with water or a leave-in conditioner before styling.

You can apply oil to wet hair as part of your styling and use different methods. However, it depends on how you layer the oil and use moisturizers in your routine. Here are three methods:

LOC Method

The LOC method is excellent for using liquid oils and following them up with cream. It is a fantastic hair treatment for medium to very porous hair. To retain moisture, you can add the oil after the liquid step.

Steps:

1. When using the LOC method, start with clean, wet hair.
2. First, apply a leave-in conditioner, and then smooth a small amount of oil in.
3. For curly hair, apply curl cream and then style it as desired.
4. You can leave your hair to air dry or use a diffuser for curly hair.

LCO Method

This method involves layering the liquid of your styling cream, applying the oil, and works well on low-porosity hair.

Steps:

1. Start with clean and wet hair.
2. Next, apply your leave-in conditioner.
3. Follow it up with styling cream and style your hair as desired.
4. Apply a small amount of sealing oil to the hair and let it air dry, or use a diffuser.

How to Use Hair Oil as The Last Step in Styling

Lastly, you can apply hair oil as the final step when styling to help retain moisture. It seals the cuticle and leaves it with a shine. You can invest in sealing oils to keep your hair hydrated between washes.

Steps:

1. Once you’ve styled your hair, leave it until it is completely dry.
2. Apply a small amount of the hair oil to your palms, then rub them together.
3. Then, smooth the oil over your hair and use the praying hand method if needed.
4. Lastly, gently scrunch the ends and shake the roots to add volume.

Using Hair Oil For Hair Growth at Night

Many say massaging oil into their scalps at night helps stimulate hair growth follicles. You can add this to your nighttime routine before going to bed.

We recommend applying a small amount of hair oil to your fingertips and then rubbing them together. Avoid using too much, and massage your scalp to ensure you rub it under the hair.

Next, flip your hair upside down and massage your scalp to add volume and increase blood flow. Repeat these steps nightly.

Important Note: Recent research questions the effectiveness of this method, as oil can feed bacteria on your scalp and lead to flakiness or an itchy scalp.

When to Use Hair Oils

Before we advise you on when to use it, it is essential to remember that hair oil and water do not mix.

To lock in moisture, you first need water and then oil to seal it. So, you hydrate your hair and then capture it using oil.

You can apply an oil treatment before shampooing for fine or thick hair. This will not leave a heavy residue and will still leave your scalp beautiful.

Hair oil is the best option for massaging your scalp, but we recommend using natural oils tailored to your specific hair type.

Use light jojoba or almond oil that will not weigh your hair down. Hair oil adds shine; only a few drops are needed after styling.

What’s Inside Hair Oil? Get to Know The Ingredients

Hair oils can be infused with different blends, and it is best to learn the ingredients before using the product to determine if you have any allergies.

Base Ingredient: Natural Oil

• Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants to moisturize and strengthen the hair.
• Coconut oil helps penetrate the hair deeply to protect it from protein loss, but it can also weigh the hair down and make it difficult to wash it out thoroughly.
• Jojoba oil mimics natural sebum, hydrates, and adds shine to the hair.
• Olive oil can help soften hair to promote elasticity and reduce split ends.
• Almond oil is packed with vitamins to combat dryness and frizz.

Alternatively, many hair products contain essential oils from tea tree, rosemary, and lavender, which are used for their beneficial effects on scalp health and aroma. They also contain added nutritional ingredients, such as vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5, proteins like keratin, and fatty acids.

We recommend checking the product’s ingredients before use. Some ingredients may irritate your scalp.

Benefits of Using Hair Oil

Hair oil is not only for damaged hair, but it also offers a solution for various hair needs. If you deal with a lack of shine, dryness, or frizz, using the right hair oil can help address these issues. 

The oil penetrates the hair shaft and nourishes the scalp, creating a protective barrier that locks in moisture. If you have coily or curly hair, the oil helps to define and maintain your natural curl pattern when styling.

If you’re unsure which oil will suit your hair, our team can provide personalized recommendations based on your unique hair texture and concerns.

Wrap-Up: Avoiding Common Mistakes

While hair oil is versatile, it is essential to use it correctly. Over-oiling can lead to a buildup, leaving your hair greasy instead of shiny. The same applies to using the wrong hair oil for your hair, as it will leave you with disappointing results.

We recommend consulting with an expert to help you find the perfect balance and choose the right products. Are you ready to transform your hair? Book a consultation today, and let us guide you toward healthy hair.

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