Hey,
I know that this question is almost an existential one, for some even more important than the well-known question uttered by Prince Hamlet. Naturally, we don’t wield a skull in a hand but various hair care practices may be mind-boggling. Applying oils to wet or dry hair…? Who knows which method is more beneficial? Does it even matter what type the hair is? Well, well, well… I know the answer. And today you will learn all the differences and similarities between dry and wet hair oil treatment.
Hair oil treatment? What is that?
Hair oil treatment is just an advanced form of and all-natural hair mask. It has to be applied not only to the hair but also to the scalp. Thanks to this, the natural oil/s are able to reach the follicles to strengthen and replenish with nutrients the most important part of a hair shaft.
Hair oil treatment has been known for centuries. Hindu people think of it as a ritual. Actually, all the respected Hindu hair salons offer this treatment to their customers. It’s worth realizing that the effects created by hair oil treatment (no matter if wet or dry) have no equal because this procedure positively influences three hair parts:
- hair shaft and its superficial laye
- hair follicles and hair bulbs
- the inner layers of the hair
Whereas masks, balms and conditioners refine only hair’s texture (the superficial layer of the hair), natural oils reach deeper to deliver stronger effects and repair the hair from within. Having this in mind, you can arrive to a conclusion that natural oils are the masters of hair care. Now, when – I hope – I managed to talk you into giving hair oil treatment a go, I also have to tell you which oils should you choose. Always go for the cold-pressed, unrefined and certified oils. Only then can you expect it to do wonder to your hair.
Applying natural oils to dry hair
As the name speaks for itself, you have to start with dry hair. Separating strand by strand, you have to apply a chosen oil to each section. Later, you have to put the oil on the scalp and follow with a massage. This will promote faster blood flow in the scalp and will encourage the hair follicles to work more effectively. Thanks to the massaging, the follicles are able to absorb more nutrients from the natural oil/s. Who would thought that such an ordinary activity like massaging will appear to be so important and game-changing in terms of hair oil treatment 😉
When your hair and scalp are covered with an oil (or a blend of oils), put on a foil cap (in case you don’t have one, you can use a foil bag) and then follow with a towel just to make your hair and the cuticles feel warm and cozy. Alike the massage, the warmth contributes to better absorption of the oils. If you only want to, you can even go to sleep with the towel remaining on the head. The longer you allow the oil to sit on your hair, the more nourished and repaired the strands will become.
In my opinion, 30 minutes is the minimum, therefore if you don’t think you would manage to spend as much time with natural oils being spread on your strands, better postpone hair oil treatment to next day. My hair oiling always looks like that: I apply the oils to my hair and scalp, put on a towel, watch an episode of The Witcher and when it finish, I go back to the bathroom to rinse the oils from my head. Naturally, I use a shampoo because getting rid of the natural oils using only water won’t do much.
Applying natural oils to wet hair
I’m sure that you have already guessed that this method differs from its dry alternative with just one thing – you apply the oils to wet hair. Actually, the hair can be just slightly damp. Many bloggers advice to spritz the strands with a chosen herbal distillate/water and then follow with a natural oil but – to be totally honest with you – I’m not a big fan of this method. The truth is that the hair must be wet/damp not to ease the application of the natural beauty oils, but to rise the cuticles. This in turn opens the way for the oil molecules to penetrate deeper. Therefore, the strands must be washed to get rid not only of the cosmetic residues but also toxins that clung to the hair.
So, wash the hair, squeeze out the excess water with a towel, brush the hair and apply the natural oil/s. I know that this method is tedious and requires more time than applying the oil/s to dry hair, but the effects produced are far better – trust me. I’m sure that once in a while you will find some free evening to treat your wet hair with the oil/s. So, when you wash the hair, slather the oil on the strands and the scalp, do a massage, apply a foil cap, put on a warm towel, let it sit for at least 30 minutes and finally remove the oil with a shampoo.
Let me tell you a trick that you may find useful while treating the tresses with natural oils. Do you know what should you do if the OIL DOESN’T WANT TO LEAVE THE HAIR? Before you rinse and wash the hair, put a regular conditioner to the strands covered with natural oils. The conditioner will emulsify the oils, which means that it will neutralize the grease. Then rinse, shampoo, rinse and voila!
SUMMARY
Hair Oil Treatment: Which method is more beneficial?
When it comes to the effectiveness, treating wet hair with oils gives you more benefits – after all, there is a reason why we wash the hair before spreading the oils, right? We do this to help the hair absorb more oil due to lifted cuticles. When freed from the thick coat of toxins, other contaminates and cosmetic residues, hair sponges more vitamins, flavonoides, minerals and other precious things that float in the natural oils.
However, if you didn’t use any leave-in conditioners or any hair styling products, and if you didn’t leave home, you can try applying the oils to dry strands. Obviously, it doesn’t mean that this “dry” method won’t produce any good effects when applied to the hair that hasn’t been shampooed for 3 days because it surely will. You just shouldn’t expect the oils to work in 100%. And that’s it.
Which method suits you better? Perhaps you know some other techniques of applying natural oils to hair? Feel encouraged to leave a comment! <3
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