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If you find yourself struggling with hair loss or thinning then it’s not unlikely that you’ve already begun the extensive search towards finding a solution to your fallout woes. You may have considered topical serums and vitamin supplements to help strengthen your strands from the inside out, but what about something as simple as a hair oil?
Sometimes the most basic solution is the one which will garner the best results, so we spoke with hair experts to determine if there was any real value to using a hair oil in order to thicken your weak locks and build up the luscious, shining hair we’re all secretly (or not not so secretly) pining after. Below, we broke down everything you need to know about using hair oil to give your strands a boost, answering the question of whether or not it can help, once and for all.
What is hair oiling?
The most important question to answer is what exactly hair oil can do for your locks. There are a variety of different oils that you can choose from, but the general idea is that applying a hair oil can ultimately help to add hydration to your strands, improving their overall texture and appearance. “Hair oiling is the application of oil (coconut, olive, almond, avocado, essential) to your hair and massaging it into the scalp for the goal of improved shine and moisture. With the addition of these vitamins and minerals to the hair, hair oiling can even soften your hair,” says Adina Mahalli, hair expert at Maple Holistics. In short, applying hair oil by massaging the product into your roots can have an array of benefits at least on the exterior of your strands. But what about the inside?
Can it be useful for making your hair thicker?
Oiling your hair regularly can significantly reduce swelling of the scalp and drying of the hair. The reason for this is because the oils stand to protect the follicles from surfactants, helping in your scalp health. With routine use of hair oil, you can protect it from wear and tear, and in turn, thicken your hair,” explains Mahalli. Not only this, but massaging the scalp with hair oil can also help to stimulate hair growth by activating blood flow to the follicles. Hair expert and cosmetologist Ghanima Abdullah explains, “It can also help to put inactive hair follicles back into the active phase. If your hair oil does the latter, that can mean thicker hair for you.”
However, what it comes down to in determining the effectiveness of your hair oil is the ingredients which are included in the formula. “With hair growth oil, it really depends on the ingredients. You don’t want filler oils like soybean to make up more than half the formula. So it can be better to make your own. Pumpkin oil, in particular, is great for awakening inactive hair follicles,” suggests Abdullah. Peppermint oil is another option which both cools the scalp and awakens sleeping hair follicles to promote growth as well, she says.
Are there downsides to using hair oil?
Just because certain hair oils may work for some people, doesn’t mean that across the board they’re the holy grail for hair growth. “As beneficial as hair oil is for your hair and scalp, dermatologists have noted that certain people may experience symptoms of a skin condition called Seborrheic dermatitis. This is a skin condition that causes scaly patches and red skin on the scalp. This is mainly found in users who previously have a more oily scalp than usual,” warns Mahalli.
Not only this, but you should also take your hair texture into consideration as well when oiling up your strands. “If your hair is thick, coarse, and kinky, you can leave the hair oil on all week and it gives a lovely sheen. If your hair is flat and straight, it’s better to use the hair oil as a hot oil treatment before you shampoo,” suggests Abdullah.
How often should you be using it?
Consistency is key here if you truly want to see any difference from your hair oiling routine, so you can’t expect to apply it once a week and still see results. “Ideally, you would use hair growth oil daily, but make it a habit to use it at least every three days,” suggests Abdullah. Buying a hair oil that is specially formulated to promote hair growth is another great way to ensure the results you’re looking for, so don’t trust just any oil and assume you’ll be able to achieve the luscious strands of your dreams.
Are there any ingredients you should look for to include? What about to avoid?
As always, there are some options of hair oil which can boost your strands, and there are others on the market which may only serve to have a placebo effect or even make the situation worse. “Avoid products that contain petroleum or mineral oil. These can block the hair follicles and slow down hair growth,” says Abdullah.
“If you prefer to purchase hair growth oil off the shelf, make sure all the ingredients are beneficial to your hair - especially the top three. Look for castor, pumpkin, hemp, and black seed oils at the top of the list. Essential oils should include peppermint, rosemary and lavender, at the least.” While it’s important to continue to treat your hair with care outside of your oil routine, using natural growth products regularly can be a great way to spark stronger, more resilient strands, ultimately limiting hair loss over time.
