Despite being one of the oldest hair care rituals in use, particularly in India, hair oiling continues to be controversial. Is it the cause of acne? Is it harmful to coloured hair? Is it going to create dandruff? We contacted Priyanka Borkar, hairstylist to stars like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Sharvari Wagh, among others, to clear up any misconceptions about hair oiling.
This is what she had to say about typical hair oiling myths:
Myth: You can’t oil chemically treated hair
Many hairdressers advise against oiling your hair shortly after it’s been chemically treated or straightened. The reality is that you should not oil it for the first week only.
After the first week of treatment, you can oil your scalp on a daily basis. On your scalp, I recommend using room temperature oil. Coconut-based hair oil is one of the greatest solutions since it easily penetrates the hair shaft and prevents moisture and humidity from penetrating the hair. For a long-lasting straightened effect, use the oil twice a week.
Myth: You must leave the oil in your hair overnight
No, this is not correct. In fact, storing oil overnight increases the likelihood of dust particles collecting in your hair, which can clog hair follicles and potentially lead to scalp infections.
You can leave the oil in your hair for 30 minutes and it should do the trick.
Myth: Oiling creates dandruff
Using coconut-based hair oiling on a dry flaky scalp will help minimize flakes and hydrate your scalp by killing the fungus and bacteria that generate the imbalance that causes dandruff. However, if you have an oily scalp, it is not recommended that you use it.
Myth: Oiling your hair clogs your pores
If you already have an oily scalp, adding more oil may be a bad choice. Leaving the oil in your hair for more than 30 minutes, or for several days as we used to do as kids, can gather dust and contaminants.
Using coconut-based hair oil on your scalp gives hydration and gloss to your hair while also encouraging hair growth and strengthening. Massaging it into your scalp can keep it from splitting and becoming brittle even after using heated tools. It will help protect the straightened look from the impacts of a humid environment, extending its lifespan.
