If you want healthy black hair care tips, learning how to do a hot oil treatment is one technique for achieving your goals. Hot oil treatments are used to give hair a deep conditioning treatment. These treatments are particularly helpful to prevent damage to hair or to help reduce existing damage. They are also great for moisturizing dry hair.
Choosing the Right Oil
The most important part of doing a hot oil treatment is choosing the right oils for your hair needs. These can be oils that are already mixed or oils that you mix yourself. Different oils offer different benefits and nourishment for your hair.
Oils That Penetrate Hair
Hair that is dry or damaged will gain the most benefit from oils that penetrate the hair. These oils are able to penetrate the hair cuticle to nourish your hair.
Coconut oil has been used for centuries in Africa due to its abundance. It is one of the best oils for hair as it conditions and strengthens hair and can reduce dandruff. Coconut oil locks moisture in the hair shaft due to its high moisture retaining capability that does not easily break down in water. Natural or virgin coconut oil has a high concentration of fatty acids that nourish the hair with protein and produces long, strong hair.
Avocado oil is also abundant in Africa but not used as much as coconut oil. It contains vitamins, amino acids, and proteins that retain moisture, strengthen hair, and promote growth and shine. It is rich in biotin, vitamin E and B-5, and antioxidants repair your hair and fight frizz. Avocado oil is a lightweight oil that will absorb into skin and hair and stimulates blood flow for hair growth.
Olive oil is another favorite nutrient-rich oil for black hair that can reduce split ends. It is rich in vitamin E and A and polyphenols that give it antifungal properties. It can also help with dandruff and lice removal. Olive oil absorbs into hair and skin and any residual oil will rinse easily from hair. It is an effective treatment for producing soft hair with shine.
Oils That Coat and Seal Hair
These oils have a higher fat content than oils that will absorb into hair and skin. They cover the hair cuticle, sealing in water, protein, and moisture from other oils that penetrate the hair. These oils are good options for healthy hair that does not show signs of dryness or damage - maintenance oils, if you will.
Castor oil has been shown to moisturize and promote hair growth. It is a thicker oil that works well for combating frizz and strengthening hair. It is high in minerals, protein, vitamin E, and Omega 6 fatty acid. Pure castor oil is clear in color and has no odor. Jamaican black castor oil has the ash of roasted castor beans added to the castor oil which gives it the black color. It does have a smoky odor. Both castor oils will soak into the scalp to nourish hair and stimulate hair growth. Choosing between the two is a matter of personal preference.
Jojoba oil closely resembles the sebum that is naturally produced by our skin. It is a good option to keep your scalp healthy as it has antibacterial properties. It is high in vitamin A and E as well as antioxidants. Jojoba oil is a good choice for dry hair and scalp. It will moisturize the hair and help minimize split ends and breakage.
Grapeseed oil is a natural thermal protectant that is effective in moisturizing the hair to keep it in great condition. It produces stronger hair and is an effective dandruff treatment due to the high levels of Omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E aids in hair growth. This oil is a good choice for those with brittle hair.
Top-Rated Premixed Oils
Damaged Dry Hair Hot Oil Treatment by PrePoo For Hair rates as one of the best sellers on Amazon. This is a hot oil treatment that is done on dry hair before shampooing. It is a made of coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and grapeseed oil. It is said to give fuller hair with bouncy curls and lots of shine. It can be purchased on Amazon for less than $20.
African Pride Olive Miracle Anti-Breakage Formula has received rave consumer reviews for producing soft, shiny hair. It is a blend of many oils including olive oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. It can be purchased online or at Walmart for less than $5.
African Royale Hot Six Hair Oil is a best seller that is an all over body oil. It contains olive oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil, and herbal oils and extracts. Consumers said that this oil helped with itchy scalp, hair growth, and breakage. It can be purchased online through Amazon for less than $7.
How to Do a Hot Oil Treatment
Prepackaged hot oil treatments can be purchased from beauty supply stores or you can make your own as a home remedy for dry hair. To use a treatment that has been purchased from a store, simply heat the product according to the directions on the package.
Be careful not to allow the product to get too hot. The hot oil may burn your scalp. Let the product sit and cool off if it gets too hot.
Be sure to read the manufacturer's directions regarding shampooing. Some will say to use the hot oil treatment on freshly washed hair and some may say to use on dry hair before washing.
Apply the oil to the hair. Put a plastic cap on the hair and get under the dryer for a few minutes to help it retain heat as it penetrates the hair. If you do not have a hood dryer, simply throw a bath towel in the dryer or a damp hand towel in the microwave for about twenty seconds and get it very warm but not too hot to handle. Wrap the towel around the plastic cap and leave on for the directed time. If the towel cools before the time is up, reheat the towel and rewrap it.
Next, gently rinse the hot oil treatment out of the hair and style it as usual. Remember, for the best results, do not shampoo the hot oil treatment out of the hair. You are simply rinsing it so that the benefits of the oil will remain in your hair. If your hair is too oily after rinsing the treatment out of your hair, wash your hair with a mild natural shampoo.
Making a Homemade Hot Oil Treatment
Instead of a commercial product, it is possible to make your own hot oil.
Choose an oil or a combination of oils of your choice. Try using a mixture of olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, and almond oil. You can use all of the oils or pick one or two to use for your hot oil treatment. All of the oils above will moisturize your hair and hydrate the scalp. Coconut oil hardens when it is cool.
Keep your hair warm or at least at room temperature while coconut oil is in your hair. Make about a cup of your own hot oil mix. You need enough of the oil to cover your hair, from root to tip, so it may be necessary to use less than a cup or make a little more depending on the length and thickness of your hair.
Heat the oils in a small saucepan until the mixture is warm to the touch. The oil is going on your hair and scalp, so make sure that it is lukewarm. Although microwaving is faster, it is not recommended because the oil may get too hot. Microwaving may also negatively impact some of the nutrients in the oils. Again, if the oil is over heated, let it sit for a few minutes to cool.
Applying the Hot Oil Treatment
Apply the oil to the hair. It is best to use a small squeeze bottle, the kind that is used to color hair.
Massage the product throughout your hair, making sure that all of your hair is covered with the oil. The hair does not have to be overly greasy, just slightly oily. Do not rub the hair too harshly as this can cause tangles and breakage.
Once the hair is covered, put on a shower cap. If you have a bonnet-style hair dryer at home, you can sit under the dryer. If you don't have that type of dryer, you can wrap a towel around your head to keep the heat in.
Let the oil penetrate through your hair for about 15 minutes. For a relaxing hot oil treatment, take a warm bath while the oil penetrates in hair.
Next, rinse the oil. Dry your hair and style it as usual.
Tips and Tricks
To achieve healthy looking hair with hot oil treatments, it simply comes down to knowing what your hair needs and choosing the right oils. The process is the same whether you have natural or relaxed hair. A few tips to keep in mind when treating are:
If you are using a premixed oil, read the manufacturer's directions before doing the hot oil treatment.
Do not get the oil too hot. Place the oil in a cup or bowl and place that in a bowl of boiling water, like you were making a cup of tea. Check the temperature with your fingers until you get the right temperature.
Be sure to work the oil evenly through your hair focusing on the ends and mid-shaft. Work some oil into the roots before you wrap your hair.
Keeping Your Hair Healthy
For the best results, use hot oil treatments regularly in your hair. Some people use hot oil treatments monthly, biweekly, or weekly, but how frequently you do a treatment depends on your hair's texture and conditioning. Hot oil treatments that are completed at home can be just as effective as hot oil treatments from a salon. Learning how to do a hot oil treatment can be a great addition to a black hair care routine. Try this natural and manageable do-it-yourself moisturizing treatment to boost your hair's health and beauty.
