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Everyone has different hair types, and it’s difficult to know what solution would suit your hair concern. Trying out every solution you come across might not be the best idea for the overall health of your hair. So, whenever I face any hair problems, I like to go by the old school: my grandma’s home remedies. Out of all the haircare solutions she has passed on to me, a scalp massage for hair growth has immensely boosted my hair’s health. Pampering my hair with a head massage oil nourishes my hair from within and makes it softer and stronger. However, she always lays emphasis on the right method of oil massage for hair. Here is an easy guide on how to massage your scalp.
Head Massage Benefits
1. Strengthens Hair And Roots
If you are experiencing flat and limp hair, extreme dryness, excess oily scalp, split ends, and hair breakage, your hair roots might be weak and undernourished. Massaging oil onto the scalp strengthens the roots and helps boost blood circulation, giving you healthy lustrous hair. Hair oils like coconut oil or virgin olive oil can also unclog your hair follicles and promote better absorption of nutrients in your scalp.
Dos: Massage oil gently onto your scalp with your fingers in a circular motion.
Dont's: Never apply oil to your scalp rigorously. It can weaken your roots more and cause hair fall.
2. Keeps Away Dandruff And Itchiness
Often, we use chemical-based products that strip our scalp of moisture and nutrients, causing dehydration. A dehydrated scalp results in flaking, itching and broken skin and is less effective in protecting your hair against the environment, leading to dandruff and infections. Oil massage for hair effectively hydrates your scalp and keeps dandruff at bay. Head massage benefits you by stimulating the oil glands to produce more natural oil keeping your scalp healthy and nourished.
Dos: If your scalp is prone to dandruff, use a lightweight hair oil. It would be best to avoid oils which have a thick consistency, like castor oil.
Dont's: Do not keep oil in your hair overnight if you have an oily scalp. For dry or damaged hair, massage your scalp and hair shafts with warm oil, for 1 to 2 hours before washing off with a mild shampoo.
3. Nourishes Your Scalp
Remember how your skin feels soft, plump and glossy when you hydrate it sufficiently? Well, your scalp is an extension of your skin and so feels the same after an oil massage. The best massage oils nourish the scalp, making it healthier. A good oil massage with the right kind of oil penetrates deep into the scalp, nourishing the hair follicles and hair shaft from within, helping them grow faster and stronger.
Dos: Identify your hair type. If you have an oily scalp, keep oil in your hair for only an hour before shampoo.
Dont's: Avoid stepping out after a scalp massage. Dirt can stick to your scalp, clogging pores, causing dandruff and hair fall.
4. Reduces Frizz And Split Ends
Pollution, UV rays and other environmental aggressors can cause split ends, dryness, frizz and breakage. Oil forms a protective layer on the scalp, protecting your roots from dryness, harmful rays and pollution. It also provides deep conditioning that makes your hair more resistant to damage and hair fall.
Dos: Detangle your hair before oiling with a wide tooth comb to avoid breakage.
Dont's: Avoid brushing your hair with a comb or tying it in a tight braid or ponytail after an oil massage.
5. Protects Your Hair From Environmental Damage
Just as sunscreen acts as a shield for your skin, hair oil also plays the same role for your hair. Environmental factors such as wind, low humidity, and evaporation all lead to one thing and that is moisture loss in addition to the sun and UV rays drying out your hair. Offering a protective barrier, hair oil prevents such conditions from damaging your hair.
6. Adds Shine
Remember when every Sunday, our mothers would sit us down and delight us with a good champi session before a thorough hair wash? Well, that not only nourished our hair but also added an extra layer of shine. Tuning back to the present day, whenever you feel like channelling the clean girl aesthetic and want to opt for a slick back bun you can just apply hair oil and brush those fly-aways and baby hair down giving you the neatest bun while providing all the nutrients your hair needs.
How Often Should You Oil Your Hair?
In order to understand how many times you should be applying hair oil, first you need to evaluate how well your hair absorbs the oil. If it loses moisture quickly then you may need to up the frequency. Dry and brittle hair types need to use hair oil at least twice or thrice a week. For the normal to oily types, applying hair oil once a week is more than enough but the dry and itchy scalp types can lean in on a hair oil massage for about twice or thrice a week. Seasons also play an eminent role in how many times you need to use hair oil, for example, dry and colder weather conditions require a little more oiling as compared to the humid months.
How To Do A Scalp Massage For Hair Growth
A scalp massage enhances blood flow, potentially promoting hair growth and relaxation. However, a rough champi can cause significant hair breakage during and after the oil treatment. It’s important to be gentle, using your fingertips to apply oil to your scalp and roots. Massaging in a circular motion is particularly effective for boosting circulation. Applying pressure with your hands in an L-shape is ideal, but it’s equally crucial to avoid tangling your hair, as this can lead to breakage and even pull hairs out of their follicles.
With a hot oil treatment, you can reap the maximum benefits of a head massage. Take your preferred hair oil in a bowl and heat it through the double boiler method. When it is warm enough (not hot!), take a few drops in your palms, rub them together and apply them on your roots and hair. Lightly coat your hair’s entire length too. Once you apply the oil, use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp all over. Avoid massaging for too long if you are suffering from hair fall. To let the oil penetrate deeper into the scalp, wrap a warm towel over your head and wash it off after an hour. You can repeat it thrice a week. If you have oily hair, restrict this head massage to once a week.
What Type Of Hair Oil Should One Be Using?
Coconut Oil for Dry, Frizzy Hair:
Coconut oil is the ideal choice for those looking for an oil that repairs dry, frizzy hair due to its hydrating and soothing properties. Rich in lauric acid, it penetrates deeply, nourishing hair with essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. For best results, massage warm coconut oil into your scalp and let it sit.
Nykaa Recommends: Forest Essentials Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil
Almond Oil for Thick, Coarse Hair:
To manage thick, coarse hair almond oil is the solution. Due to the high contents of omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E and magnesium, almond oil helps control frizz and moisture.
Nykaa Recommends: Khadi Natural Sweet Almond Hair & Body Oil
Bhringraj Oil for Hair Fall:
Want to reduce hairfall? Use Bhringraj Oil. This ayurvedic hair potion promotes hair growth while addressing scalp issues like dandruff at the same time.
Nykaa Recommends: Justhuman AyuGrowth Fortifying Hair Oil Ayurvedic Elixir
Hibiscus Oil for Hair Growth:
Used for various hair treatments as it enhances hair growth and the quality of your hair, Hibiscus oil is a perfect oil to be used as a pre-shampoo treatment. If you do not like going for an overnight hair oiling treatment, just apply hibiscus oil, for 20 minutes and wrap it up with a warm towel.
Nykaa Recommends: House Of Beauty Hibiscus Oil
Moringa Oil for Coloured Hair:
Moringa oil is ideal for colour-treated hair as it offers antioxidant protection against sun damage and maintains colour vibrancy. It protects from heat and environmental damage.
Nykaa Recommends: Nykaa Naturals 100 % Pure Cold Pressed Moringa Carrier Oil
Sesame or Jojoba Oil for Thinning Hair:
Sesame and jojoba oil are extremely beneficial to those who deal with hair thinning issues thanks to their lighter texture. While Jojoba oil is rich in copper, zinc, and vitamins, and helps with thinning hair and scalp issues, sesame oil, with its Omega-6 fatty acids, also moisturizes effectively.
Nykaa Recommends: Juicy Chemistry 100% Organic Jojoba Cold Pressed Carrier Oil
From helping repair damaged ends to conditioning lifeless tresses, head massages with heated oils is generational wisdom passed down to us. The benefits of oiling your hair are many, and mostly requires to be done just once a week, so why not get on board with this centuries-old tradition of oiling to start seeing results almost immediately?
FAQs On Oil Massage For Hair
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Can You Do An Oil Massage For Hair Every Day?
Ideally, you should not massage oil in your hair every day. It can lead to product build-up on your scalp, accumulating dirt, which can cause dandruff. Also, you would need to wash your hair every day, which can further strip off natural oils from hair and damage them.
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Which Is The Best Massage Oil?
Opt for coconut oil, castor oil or olive oil for hair growth-related concerns. You can also use almond oil if you have dry hair. Mustard oil is also known to nourish your scalp and hydrate hair strands, but it can feel sticky and heavy on the head.
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Should You Use A Hair Scalp Massager?
A hair scalp massager can help stimulate blood circulation and boost hair growth. But be sure to use the head scalp massager gently.
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How Often Should You Do Scalp Massage?
You can do head massages for hair growth daily as a beauty routine. But avoid using the oil daily. Use your fingers to gently massage your scalp for five to ten minutes. The more you massage your head, the better will be your blood circulation.
