A Hair Care Dilemma: How Often Should I Oil My Scalp?

Wondering how often to oil your scalp? Discover the perfect oiling frequency for healthy, moisturized hair in this comprehensive guide. 

If you’re not oiling your scalp as part of your hair care routine, you’re missing out on tons of hair health benefits. Scalp oiling is a centuries old practice rooted in Ayurvedic medicine to maintain hair and scalp health. Scalp oiling hydrates, helps in exfoliation, protects follicles during hair washing, preps strands for styling and helps prevent hygral fatigue (the swelling and drying of hair). The practice can even help reduce hair fall and promote hair growth. But scalp oiling too often can create buildup, leading to dandruff and irritation. And certain scalp oils can disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria that live on the scalp, creating more buildup and other scalp issues. So how often should I oil my scalp?, you ask? We’ve got all the scalp oiling tips and tricks you need for strong, shiny, healthy hair- including how and when to do it, and the best hair oils to use for your hair type. And it’s all ahead!

Not to be confused with hair oiling (which involves oil being applied to wet hair), scalp oiling is done to stimulate growth, moisturize the hair, and help prevent dryness and irritation. Being diligent about your scalp skincare is the foundation for a healthy scalp. Scalp oiling has many benefits to scalp health and healthy hair growth. Using oils like castor oil, coconut, or almond oil on your scalp on a regular basis can help keep it from getting dry and flaky. These natural oils penetrate the hair’s cuticle, enhancing its elasticity and preventing brittleness. They also contain important nutrients and antioxidants that help the blood flow, giving hair cells the food they need to grow and reducing inflammation. Scalp oiling strengthens the hair shaft, reducing breakage and protecting strands from any damage that might occur in the hair washing process or things like pollution and bad weather. It can be done by most people, regardless of hair type or texture. But it’s especially beneficial for those with natural hair.

Let's take a closer look at some signs that your scalp needs an oil treatment. Your scalp can get dry and flaky, much like your skin can. If you have flaky or dandruff hair, it means your skin is dry and needs to be oiled. If you find yourself constantly reaching for the anti-dandruff shampoo without much relief, it might be time to introduce scalp oiling. If your hair appears dull and lacks luster, it could be an indication that your scalp is not receiving adequate hydration. If your skin doesn't get enough water, it can become dry and flaky, which can make your hair and shoulders full of white flakes. Frequent oiling can help create a better environment for hair growth by hydrating the scalp and relieving irritation and flakes.

So when and how often should I oil my scalp for hair growth? The frequency of this scalp treatment depends on a few factors, including your hair type, scalp condition, and personal preferences. For people with natural hair, dry hair or curly hair, oiling the scalp once or twice a week can provide the moisture that frizz and breakage-prone people with dry or curly hair need. Oil your scalp once or twice weekly depending on your strands, to moisturize and nourish the hair follicles, preventing excessive dryness and frizz. Those with oily scalps will benefit from less frequent oiling,using oil treatments every two weeks to prevent the overproduction of sebum. If you have an oily scalp, take a more conservative approach; start with every 10-14 days, to avoid exacerbating excess oil production. Pay attention to your scalp's signals, as well as seasonal changes, as environmental factors can impact your scalp health. Finding the right balance for your scalp's needs is key, and experimenting with different oiling frequencies can help you determine the ideal routine for maintaining a healthy scalp and strong, beautiful hair.

When it comes to combating dry scalp, choosing the right oils can make a significant difference in nourishing and hydrating your skin. Avoid using any mineral oil or comedogenic oils like olive oil, as these can cause buildup. Choose oils to enhance circulation and decongest the scalp, like tea tree and peppermint oil, or moisturizing ones like coconut oil or sunflower oil. Coconut oil deep conditions, provides natural protection, and is generally a good choice for most hair types. Similarly, sunflower oil penetrates the hair shaft, leaving the scalp replenished and hydrated. Other options are moringa oil and jojoba oil which closely resemble the natural oils produced by the scalp, serving as a fantastic moisturizer without clogging pores. Their lightweight natures make them ideal for regular use, leaving the scalp nourished and flake-free. Argan oil is another excellent option, known for its rich vitamin E content and antioxidants that promote overall scalp health. It not only provides deep hydration but also helps soothe irritated skin. Use natural oils on your scalp that are mixed with carrier oils, like almond oil, which are oils that are derived from seeds or plants and used to dilute essential oils for safe use. Hair oils made from essential oil mixed with a carrier oil are the best combo when it comes to locking in moisture and stimulating the scalp. Adding these oils to your hair care routine can make all the difference in the health and appearance of your hair. They deeply nourish your hair and scalp creating a healthier environment for hair growth.

If you’re ready to add scalp oiling to your routine there are some tips and tricks to help you on your scalp care journey. First, oiling should be done as a pre-shampoo treatment as part of your shampoo and conditioning routine. You should always choose shampoos and conditioners without sulfates to prevent depriving your scalp of its natural oils. Use formulas designed for your hair type and add a regular deep-conditioning mask once a month to help keep your scalp moisturized and prevent dryness, flakiness, and irritation. Now it’s time to talk scalp oiling. Think of your oiling practice as regularly scheduled scalp massages. Once or twice a week, or whenever you’ve decided to add it to your routine, treat yourself to a nourishing scalp oil massage. In addition to being calming, gently massaging your scalp in circular motions helps dissolve product buildup and encourages healthy hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles. Scalp massages help reduce tension, improve circulation, and distribute natural oils for an overall healthier scalp environment. Here is a step by step tutorial on how to use hair oil for oiling your scalp.  

1. Choose an oil based on the benefit of each we discussed earlier and apply a couple of drops directly to your scalp.

2. Massage it in with your fingertips using a circular motion

3. Massage the oil throughout your entire scalp, starting at the nape of the neck, adding more oil as needed.

4. Using both hands, work upwards towards the crown of your head.

5. Move over to the base of the ear to work towards the top of the head again and repeat on the other side.

6. It should take three to five minutes of massaging to cover the entire scalp,

7. Apply the oil left on your palms to your hair.

8. Cover your head with a towel or shower cap and leave it on from 45 minutes to an hour.

9. Wash the oil out with your regular shampoo and rinse your hair thoroughly.

10. Condition as normal, or use coconut oil as a conditioner for an even more hydrating hair treatment.

Your scalp can get dry and flaky, much like your skin can. Scalp oiling is a treatment for healthy hair and scalp that’s rooted in centuries-old Ayurvedic medicine. Regular scalp oiling helps protect the hair from regular wear and tear. It reduces hygral fatigue and can even help reduce hair fall and promote hair growth. If you have dry skin on your scalp, dandruff hair, or your hair appears dull and lacks luster, it could be an indication that your scalp is not receiving adequate hydration. If your skin doesn't get enough water, it can become dry and flaky, which can result in hair and shoulders full of white flakes. If you find yourself constantly reaching for the anti-dandruff shampoo without much relief, it might be an indication your dry scalp needs oiling. Follow our tips for scalp oiling and use only the highest quality hair products and hair oils in your hair care routine. All Davines formulas are free of harmful toxins, use many natural ingredients, and are made with renewable energy and packaging that minimizes the environmental impact. 

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor