The Importance of a Well-Placed Hair Oil

Whenever I think of oil, I think of chocolate. Chocolate is supposed to be good for the skin, however, if you eat too much of it can cause really bad acne. Oil can also be good for your skin, and your hair. Then again, too much of it can strip hair of its natural moisture causing it to become dry, brittle, and break off. That’s why it’s good to know what kind of oils are safe and how you should use them on your hair.

Essential oils are only used to lubricate and moisturize your scalp or to seal in moisture that you already worked through your hair. Fun fact! Our scalp already has natural glands that produces an oil called Sebum. Sebum lubricates the hair shaft and the strands of hair that comes out of our scalp, this is why it’s important to use good moisturizing conditioners and deep conditioners after you wash your hair. If your scalp is stripped of Sebum, it can make your hair really dry and unmanageable. However, Sebum could use a little more help and that’s where essential oils come in. Taking steps such as, hot oil treatments and massage treatments help to not only moisturize the hair shaft but increase blood circulation. 

Oils also can help protect your hair during the Summer and Spring seasons too if you are outside in the sun!

Now that we have a better understanding of the uses of oils, however which essential oils are best for our hair and how do they help?

If you were to look up “black girl essentials,” one of the first oils you will see is Coconut oil. This oil is one that many of us still put in our hair, it’s used to penetrate deep within the cortex to help seal in moisture. I use this to seal my hair for every protective style and as a base in my oil mix. Other oils many will know about is Olive Oil and Castor Oil, these are great for hot oil treatments and thick hair growth.

An oil that is closest to Sebum is Jojoba oil and it’s great on your scalp. Oils that are good for hair growth and scalp restoration are Peppermint, Rosemary (except while you’re pregnant), Tea Tree oil, and a new one I just found, Lavender oil. All these oils are great for stimulating hair growth, getting rid of dandruff, and Lavender oil has even been studied to treat alopecia areata and hair loss! All of these oils can be mixed in an applicator bottle, so you can be able to use them in a variety of ways and to help your hair to grow and maintain the health it needs to flourish. One of our favourites that has peppermint oil as one of the main ingredients is the Mint Almond Oil by Mielle. It feels amazing when you massage it into your scalp.

A lot of these oils can be purchased at your local drug store or even the Vitamin Shoppe! Make sure that they are not mixed with any other ingredients, and that you are getting a pure bottle of oil. I hope this information was helpful!

Do you use any hair oils? Which one do you use? (I use all of them lol!)

Peace and Blessings,

by A.C. Bridges

Source: Coil Beauty