It reduces the split ends, makes it shinier, softer and prevents premature graying of hair. If you want to improve the quality then massage your strands properly with coconut or mustard oil at night before going to bed and wash it in the morning.
Hair oil can be used as a deep treatment before washing or you can use it to tame your hair (dry or wet) before styling. The amount of oil you should use depends on your hair length. If you're rocking a shorter style, then 1 to 2 pumps is enough, while longer styles might consider 3 to 4 pumps more sufficient.
Always apply oil before washing your hair
“We all know that oil is a great moisturizer and if you want to keep your mane hydrated and frizz-free then you must apply oil before washing your hair,” explains Dr Kapoor.
Should You Oil Your Hair Everyday? Leaving oil on your hair everyday for too long can cause product build-up on your scalp. It may also clog your pores, attract dirt and accumulate dandruff. Oiling your hair everyday also means that you have to wash it with shampoo everyday.
“Do not leave oil in your hair for more than 15 to 20 minutes,” she suggested. *If you have a dry scalp — a vata predominant one — you can leave hair oil for 45 minutes to one hour. *If you have a pitta prakruti, the ideal time is 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
Oil your hair no more than 1 to 2 times a week. Leave it on for approximately an hour or two but you don't need to leave it on longer than that. When you leave oil on too long you run the risk of zits because oil will run down onto your skin and you also don't add any real benefit by leaving it on longer.
Those with normal hair probably want to keep oil use to around twice a week. Smooth a little through your hair when styling. If you've got oily hair then it makes no sense to use oil as a styling product. However, you can still benefit from an overnight treatment once a week as discussed below.
Applying oil on wet hair means less shine, but there are other benefits, such as detangling and heat protection before blowdrying. On dry hair, the shine factor is higher and you will get better frizz, UV and pollution protection.
Wrap your hair in a silk scarf or gentle fabric to keep the oil off your pillow covers, and let the treatment do its magic while you sleep. The very next morning, don't get your hair wet or shower! Instead, take your shampoo and apply it directly to your oily hair.
Oiling overnight will cause dust accumulation and thus weakening of hair.”
Ayurveda expert Dr Rekha Radhamony says leaving hair oil overnight can aggravate Kapha and should be avoided. "One should not leave hair oil for more than 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your dosha imbalances. As soon as you finish oiling, you must take a head shower," suggests the Ayurveda expert.
The moment your hair is left to soak in oil for more than 12 hours, your scalp collects dirt and mixes with your scalp's natural oil. Leaving oil on your hair overnight can make it greasy and sticky, and it will also attract dust from your pillow and bed. As a result, it can lead to hair loss and other hair problems.
One of the top healthy hair tips is that you should oil your hair no more than once or twice a week. It is advisable to let the oil moisturize your scalp before washing your hair. So, you should keep the oil in for at least 3-4 hours before shampooing it and not comb it right after oiling.
Should you apply oil on wet or dry hair? “You can oil when your hair is damp or dry, but your hair and scalp have to be clean, or the oil won't have a chance to be absorbed,” says Dr Gupta.
As a regular practice, it is natural to reach out for your comb right after oiling your hair to remove tangles. But this is a common mistake and you should avoid it. After a good oil massage, you scalp becomes relaxed and fragile, combing your hair immediately after can cause hair breakage and hair loss.
Apply oil before washing your hair:
Shampoos can make your hair dry and frizzy. To make sure that your hair gets cleaned but still remains nourished and frizz-free, apply oil every time before you wash your hair.
To prevent hair dents in the morning, "weave hair into a loose braid instead of a ponytail before bed," says Mancuso. "You'll have beautiful movement when you take it down." To hold onto that natural texture, spritz a touchable hairspray like Nexxus New York Salon Care Comb-Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist.
Before you shampoo, apply a dollop of oil to the ends of wet hair. This will minimize the appear of split ends and make dry ends feel softer. After a minute or two, the oil will soak into your hair, and since you're following with shampoo, your hair won't be left with a greasy film.