And How to Avoid Damaging Your Hair With Overuse
Following up on our last post about caring for hair with oil, I have always discouraged my clients from using oils for hair maintenance - but this isn't because oils are bad for hair and scalp, infact they are nature's amazing and reliable moisturizers that work more than any product you might find in the market.
The problem with using oils for hair care, lies in the added responsibility you must assume to achieve optimal results.
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Why? Because as wonderful as oils are, they require discipline and consistency to achieve the results you may be looking for, and if mismanaged can actually do the opposite and damage hair instead. I have had horror shows at the salon from poor use of oils, because people generally underestimate:
The potency of oil and it's ability to significantly enhance or damage hair
the discipline and consistency required in using oil as part of your hair maintenance routine.
So, here are 5 simple Dos and Don'ts you must adopt for best results ;
Do let the oil sit in the hair for a few minutes or longer depending on your type of hair. Hair needs to absorb the nutrients from oil and washing off too soon, negates the process
Don't massage oil into wet hair - wait till it's damp instead. Wet hair is prone to breakage and MAY be too fragile and slippery to absorb oils properly. Damp hair mops it up like a sponge.
Do use lukewarm water - most oils in cold or hot water, will not work or cause damage most of the time.
Do Wrap your hair with a cotton cloth ( I am not a big fan of towels) for 10 minutes afterwards to help in absorption into the hair and scalp
Don't use any products immediately afterwards - let the hair breathe and bask in it's oil party.
What are the Advantages - what can oil do for your scalp?
Oils add extra bounce and shine to your hair appearance and make it look rich and radiant
Dandruff occurs from dry scalps, so guess what oils can do to help - moisturize and fight it off
If you're looking for a natural conditioner - look no further than oils like olive, castor and coconut
Oils are perfect moisturizers, as they present the perfect balance of locking in moisture without suffocating the pores.
Now, for the Disadvantages of using oils for hair maintenance:
They will clog pores if not periodically washed thoroughly every few days
I don't need to tell you what clogged pores do. Okay I will; Bumps! painful, lumps around the scalp
Due to it's consistency, oils can attract sticky dirt and debris that weigh down hair and damage it.
With poor application and maintenance, you may find yourself looking like the greasy 80s look and leaving stains on your pillow case, head rest, spouses clothes ... you get the idea.
Saturated hair, loses bounce and goes limp and sticky, and might start clumping.
So in concluding, oils are fantastic for hair care and maintenance, but if you're in doubt, DON'T. If you're wondering how you can benefit from using oils, while not damaging your hair, our Groom Hair Serum combines a good mix of essential and natural oils that enhance hair porosity, detangling and stimulates follicles, especially along the hair line. It also has usage instructions, so you're not guessing when and how you should use and wash.
The takeaway - Oils are amazing, natural emollients that work wonders for the health of your scalp and appearance of your hair - but you must be disciplined and consistent to achieve results - and to avoid damage.