The month of October is here which means summer is slowly retreating to give way to the colder and drier season of fall. And what does the change of season mean for your skin and hair? It means that the season of dry, irritating skin and frizzy, lackluster hair is here. Hot summer days are gone for this year and harsher weather is just around the corner. So before the adversity of our surroundings starts to take a toll on our hair, fortify yourself with nourishments that will protect and strengthen your hair. And how can you do that? Consider this - Hot Oil Hair Treatments!
Hot Oil Hair treatment is very popular nowadays. But this treatment itself is not a new thing. People have been relying on plant-based hot oil treatment for hair for centuries and there are good reasons behind it. This treatment can be extremely beneficial for the health of your hair and scalp if done properly. And it is especially effective on dry, frizzy, damaged hair.
Benefits of Hot Oil Treatment:
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Thorough massage of oil over your scalp and hair strands works as a deep conditioner and moisturizer. Hot oil treatment adds moisture to the hair follicles alleviating dryness from both the scalp and hair.
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Hot oil treatment seals the cuticles and thus strengthens the hair and protects it from damage.
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This treatment helps to get rid of stubborn dandruff caused by a dry, itchy scalp.
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Hot oil treatment promotes hair growth by increasing blood circulation in the scalp.
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Frequent treatment can get rid of frizzy hair and return the shine of your locks.
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The hot oil treatment also helps to get rid of split ends
What Oil to Use for the Hot Oil Treatment for Hair:
There are so many options to choose from when you want to decide which oil to use for your hot oil hair treatment. Multiple plant-based nourishing hair oils will work well for this purpose.
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Jojoba Oil - This is an essential oil that moisturizes hair, prevents dandruff, prevents premature graying, and controls frizz and treats heat damage.
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Coconut Oil - This easily available oil that gets used often for cooking, can also be extremely beneficial for hair. It protects hair from damage, softens it, gets rid of split ends and dandruff, and prevents hair fall.
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Olive Oil - Another oil you can easily get from the grocery store. This oil promotes healthy hair growth by strengthening the shafts and also returning the shine and softness to the hair by preventing damage and breakage.
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Argan Oil - Rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants, Argan oil is a classic Moroccan oil that enhances scalp health, gets rid of styling damage, protects from the sun, and prevents hair loss.
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Castor Oil - Enriched with vitamin E, this oil helps to condition hair, increases blood circulation in the scalp, reduces dandruff, and boosts hair growth.
There are many other nourishing and essential oils that can be a good fit for the hot oil treatment for hair. Just choose the one that best fits your hair requirements. If you are in confusion, you can contact a dermatologist or hair stylist for professional advice.
What things to keep in mind while doing a hot oil treatment:
There are a few safety measures you should follow before you go through with this treatment. Hot oil treatment can be done in many ways. There are readymade treatment packs available in the stores. Salons also offer these treatments. And you can do it yourself at home with a few simple steps. It's up to you to choose what method fits you best.
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Do a skin patch test before choosing the oil for your hair treatment. This is to see if an oil is suitable for your skin type. To do this test, just rub a small amount of oil on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear and leave it for 24 hours. If there are no side effects, then that oil should be fit for the hot oil treatment.
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If you are choosing a readymade treatment package from the store, then properly read the instruction manual before you apply the oil all over your scalp. And pay attention to all the safety precautions.
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Be extremely careful while putting the hot oil on the scalp. It should be hot but not as much that you end up scalding yourself. Before applying it for treatment, check the temperature of the oil by applying it somewhere else.
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Be careful of these kinds of treatments if you have an allergy or sensitive skin. And if you have skin disease like eczema, then you should consult with your doctor first before going through with the treatment.
How to do Hot Oil Treatment at home:
It is pretty easy to do the hot oil treatment for hair at home if you have a few things and follow a few simple guidelines. Just make sure you have an ample amount of time at your hand because this procedure can become a bit time-consuming.
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At the first step, wash your hair well. You should never do hot oil treatment on dry and dirty hair. This should be always done on damp and clean hair.
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Take a heat-proof bowl and add 3-4 tablespoons of the chosen oil in it.
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Microwave the bowl for around 10 seconds. Or for even better results, put the bowl in another bigger bowl full of hot water and leave it there for a while to warm up the oil. This indirect way of heating the oil warms it up more evenly and thus is more beneficial for hair.
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Use a wide toothed comb to get rid of any knots in the hair. And then make small sections in it with the help of clips or hair ties. Small sections of the hair will be easier for application of hair oil.
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Test the temperature of the oil before using and when it seems okay, apply it gently all over the hair strands section by section. Make sure to cover the roots.
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Now massage your scalp for a while in circular motions to let the hair absorb the oil quickly.
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Then drag the oil down the tips of your hair to get rid of split ends. Your hair will look really greasy by now, but that's nothing to worry about!
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Now cover your hair with a shower cap and let the oil sit for 20-30 minutes at least.
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Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the oil residue. Use a hydrating one later.
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Then use your regular conditioner to get smooth, shiny and healthy hair.
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You can do this hot oil treatment every other week if you have thick and curly hair. But if you have straight and thin air, just doing it once a month should be fine.