Anyone who recently embarked on a healthy hair journey, either a relaxed or natural hair journey can attest to the significant improvement in which the consistent use of natural oils has made on their hair. Although the use of oils is nothing new in the Black hair community, as many of us can remember getting our hair greased after every hairstyle and as soon as we start to see our scalp flaking. However, the improper use of oils and hair grease has led many of us to eliminate it from our hair regimen as soon as we were old enough to make our own hair decisions. But after exploring many other “non greasy” hair products, many of us are now starting to explore the hair benefits in various cooking oils and we are now in love with these oils that we add them to most of our hair concoctions.
So why do we love our oils so much?
1. They soften our hair. Oils such as castor oil is very good at making the hair feel soft, smooth and silky. At least I know this from experience. Hair oils also help to maintain the moisture level in our hair, which in turn will help to keep the hair feeling soft and supple. Jc of Natural Haven explains the importance of sealing the hair in this post.
2. They lubricate our hair, which helps to reduce knots and tangles. To reduce single strand knots (SSKs), it is advised to oil the ends of the hair in order to reduce friction and the chances of the ends of our hair from forming annoying knots.
3. They detangle. The lubricative property of oils helps to loosen knots and effectively separate tangles without damaging the hair. Whenever I come across tangles in my hair, I just apply drops of oil to that section of the hair and allow it to slip off. This is a more gentle method, instead of forcefully combing them out.
4. They regulate a healthy sebum production and a clean scalp. Oils such as jojoba oil and avocado oils are known to regulate the natural oils on the scalp to a level which stimulates growth and nourishes the new growth which sprouts out of the scalp.
5. They can help thicken our hair and reduce breakage. Many naturals who took on the castor oil challenge have said that they’ve noticed a thickness in their hair after prolonged and consistent use. Bloggers such as Jenell B. Stewart of www.kinkycurlycoilyme.com puts on the castor oil challenge every season for a period of 4 months. For more details on this challenge, please visit her blog.
6. They promote growth, restore hair loss and increases length retention. Who needs hair drugs when you can massage your scalp with oils such as jojoba oil or castor oil daily? Many women have been able to revive hair growth along their hairline after consistently applying castor oil on their balded hairline. Many have also seen accelerated hair growth and increase in length retention after using natural oils for a prolonged period of time.
7. They give our hair a healthy shine. Who doesn’t want hair that stays shiny, especially during a gloomy and dull climate which we’re preparing to enter starting next month? Penetrating oils such as avocado oil, extra virgin coconut oil and olive oil gives the hair some without leaving it too greasy.
8. They keep our scalp happy and allows it to release as much new growth as possible. Naturals with itchy and troubled scalp are often advised to add a few drops of scalp soothing essential oils such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil to their scalp oil. This oil blend will not only soothe the scalp, it will also unclog the pores, promote blood circulation to the scalp and in turn promote growth.
9. They assist our hair products to do their job well. Bloggers such as Jc of www.naturalhavenbloom.com often recommend adding a few drops of our favourite hair oil to our deep conditioning treatment and even shampoo to give the products more slip. Whitney of Naptural85 made an oil blend out of many hair benefiting oils which she recommends for the hair and skin. This oil blend can be used as a pre-poo treatment, added to a deep conditioning treatment, applied to the scalp and for sealing the hair.
10. They make our hair smell so good! Since many of the oils are derived from the fruit seed or nuts which can smell nutty, you can upgrade the fragrance of your oil by simply adding a few drops of sweet smelling essential oils such as lemon grass, lemon oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil and any essential oils which fancies you.
Do you have a favourite hair oil or set of favourites? What are they and why do you love using them?