Many of us grew up having our moms part our hair to apply oil in between roots in preparation for a new hairdo. It has become a ritual for most black women and girls. But the question that many are now asking is: should you really be oiling your scalp?
It’s your prerogative whether or not to put oil on your scalp. Some people like to put a few drops to give their dry hair a little boost of moisture. But keep in mind that it is not necessary for you to oil the scalp especially when you have an oily scalp to begin with. If you want to add moisture to your hair, apply the oil directly to your strands and not on your oily scalp.
If you enjoy the feeling of oil seeping through your scalp, do so as you please. But bear these tips in mind before you do.
Apply Oil to Your Scalp on an As-Needed Basis
Even if you applied oil on your scalp daily as a child, it may not be the same case for you now that you’re older. Your scalp’s condition and needs change from time to time and you need to recognize that to gauge when or when not to oil your scalp accordingly. If it feels tight and itchy, a light application can do wonders for you. If it’s not flaky and if it’s clean, skip the oil on your scalp, instead make sure you add some oil to your ends. Your scalp’s condition changes along with the seasons. You might have to oil weekly during Winter and skip all throughout the Summer.
Stay Away from Petroleum-Based Products
Make it a habit to always check what’s in your hair care products. You often see petrolatum listed as one of the top ingredients so when you do, stray away from it. There’s a myth that it helps moisturize our hair and scalp, but that’s just what it is: A myth! It does nothing else but coat our hair and attract dirt.
Avoid this ingredient if you don’t want to end up with your pores clogged and a hair that feels weighed down and heavy.
Natural Oils: For The Win!
Natural oils are very easy to find in the market these days. There are many options to choose from which includes jojoba and coconut oil. Jojoba oil mimics the natural oil sebum, which is produced in our scalp. Sebum nourishes our hair and follicles and maximizes the rate at which our hair grows. Jojoba oil has anti-fungal properties that help in getting rid of the layer of dead skin, dandruff, and dirt and leaves behind a clean and well-hydrated scalp. If you’re struggling with a dry scalp and dry hair, then you should try using the PureFix Hair Elixir, a great scalp moisturizer. It’s a combination of 25 natural oils in one bottle that work together to support longer, stronger hair and to promote hair growth without clogging your pores.