The Art and Science of Hair Oiling Therapy for Hair Fall Control

The Art and Science of Hair Oiling Therapy for Hair Fall Control

Hair oiling is a practice followed religiously in India since ancient times. You must have definitely experienced your mother or grandmother sitting you down on a cosy sunday morning, putting tonnes of oil in on your hair while you leave it on for the entire day. As we grew older, we got busier and stopped getting those relaxing sunday champis from our mothers and grandmas. Back then we used to throw tantrums to avoid the greasiness of the oil, but growing up we’ve realised how thick and strong our hair used to be compared to how it looks now. 

It's high time we get back in touch with our roots and start the habit of hair oiling. Let’s understand why hair oiling actually works and what makes it the ultimate solution for healthier hair. 

What makes oils good for you?: 

  • Oils naturally have fats which penetrate into the cuticle and prevent protein loss. When we massage good quality, organic cold pressed oils, the vitamins and minerals that they contain get absorbed by the scalp, reducing hair fall at the root. Oils with low molecular structure, such as coconut oil penetrate the hair shaft, strengthening them and protecting from external damage. When oil is massaged onto the scalp, it increases blood flow and improves hair growth. 

How oiling can help with hair fall control ?:

  • Natural oils contain essential nutrients such as vitamin E, biotin and healthy fats which are all vital for hair growth. Hair is mostly made up of a protein called keratin, which can be lost due to overwashing, styling and pollution. Coconut oil can help prevent protein loss in the strands and reduce the risk of breakage. Oils such as tea tree and neem oil can improve the scalp health by killing bacteria, eliminating buildup and cooling the scalp. Essential oils such as rosemary and peppermint are proven natural vasodilators and DHT blockers that have similar efficacy to the over the counter treatment for hair loss - minoxidil. They can help stimulate hair growth and fortify the roots to strengthen them. Oiling is a relaxing & calming practice for your mind and can help ease stress related hair loss conditions such as telogen effluvium. 

Choosing the right oils: 

  • Coconut oil

    Coconut oil contains lauric acid which prevents protein loss and gives strands their strength. 

  • Castor oil

    Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid which can regrow hair in areas with patchy and thin hair. It is also an antifungal which can prevent dandruff and bacterial infections.
     
  • Argan oil

    Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and can reverse frizz and prevent environmental damage i.e. UV exposure, pollution, etc. 
  • Almond oil

    Almond oil contains biotin and magnesium which can improve elasticity, prevent split ends and breakage. 

  • Jojoba oil

    Jojoba oil is the oil that is closest to the natural sebum that your skin produces. It is suitable for those with oily scalps and cleanses clogged follicles. 

  • Olive oil

    Olive oil is one of the healthiest sources of fat and is also rich in oleic acid which prevents frizziness and dryness. 

  • Onion oil

    Onion oil contains a high amount of sulfur which can generate collagen production. It can regrow hair in patients with autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata or patchy bald spots. 

  • Sesame oil

    Sesame oil is underrated for hair growth. It contains omegas that can strengthen your hair, it can also help with scalp tenderness and pain when you are suffering from hair loss. 

  • Grapeseed oil

    Grapeseed oil is a lightweight oil that is rich in linoleic acid and is suitable to those who have fine and thin hair. 

  • Neem oil

    Neem oil is antifungal and can help you get rid of bacteria and scalp infections such as psoriasis and dandruff. 

  • Bhringraj oil

    Bhringraj oil is known as the king of hair because of its wondrous benefits for hair. It can control premature greying and severe hair fall.     

Step by Step guide to Applying Oil:

  1. First stimulate your scalp and detangle your hair with a comb to get rid of any knots. 
  2. Then take a bowl and pour in 2 tablespoons of your choice of carrier oil and 3-4 drops of essential oil according to your target concern. 
  3. Mix well and use a cotton ball to apply the oil to each parting of your hair. 
  4. Lastly massage the oil well into your scalp using your fingertips or a dedicated scalp massager.
  5. Tie your hair into a loose braid, ponytail or bun and let the oil stay for 3-4 hours max. Then rinse with a mild sulfate free shampoo as usual. 

Massage Techniques:

  • Circular motion: 

    Place your fingertips on your scalp and move your scalp skin in circular motions. 

  • Kneading motion:

    Place your scalp skin in between your thumb and index finger and gently put pressure and massage.
  • Marma points:

    There are specific pressure points suggested by ayurveda that when massaged, can increase blood flow and stimulate hair growth. For example- 8 fingers above your eyebrows, the highest point on your scalp known as the skull spot. 

Cultural Insights:

In Ayurveda, Shiro Abhyanga is the ancient practice of head massage using oils like coconut and sesame. It is a therapeutic practice that aims to balance all three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. It relieves stress & anxiety and improves blood flow. 

Myths and Facts:

  • Oiling makes the scalp greasy-

    Oil naturally has a greasy consistency. If you apply too much oil then definitely you might feel excessive greasiness. 
  • You need to do overnight oiling to see results-

    Leaving oil for too long can attract dust and grime. You only need to leave the oil for a maximum of 3 hours to be properly absorbed by the scalp. 
  • More oil=Better results-

    Putting more oil can clog the pores of your scalp and can lead to conditions like scalp acne, fungal overgrowth and malassezia. 
  • Oiling alone is enough-

    Oil is just a part of a solid hair care regime, it isn’t the only practice that can give you healthy hair. You also have to consider your diet, genetics, sleep schedule, and stress levels. Hair growth must be looked at as a holistic spectrum instead of a single product that can magically fix your hair loss woes. 
  • Oiling worsens hair fall-

    The hair that falls off during oiling is part of the natural hair shedding process. Those hair would have fallen off anyway regardless of oil application. 

  • Oil must only be applied for dry scalp -

    The natural sebum of your scalp is different from the cold press oils. Your natural sebum doesn’t contain essential nutrients that can help in hair growth. Go for lightweight oils such as grapeseed or jojoba if you don’t prefer thicker oils. 

Beyond Hair:

The benefits of hair oiling are not just limited to hair growth and scalp health but there are several other ways in which it can heal your mind, body and soul. Oiling with essential oils can be a form of aroma therapy that can calm your senses and relieve stored tension. It can provide you with a feel good sensation by releasing happy hormones throughout your body. Pampering yourself with a good head massage can improve your sleep quality and boost blood flow.

To conclude, Hair oiling is an art and science that we don’t acknowledge enough. Especially, we as Indians must be proud of our heritage and about the fact that we introduced oiling to the world. The west has been following in our footsteps and doing it their way, but don’t forget that this was a practice that we have been following since our childhoods passed down from our mothers and grandmothers.

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