Hair Oiling: Does It Work and How Can It Benefit Your Hair?

Hair oiling is a centuries-old Ayurvedic medicine practice. Many people still oil their hair today, swearing by its ability to nourish hair, prevent hair loss, and soothe the scalp.

But does research back up the benefits of this ancient practice ? Does hair oiling work for hair loss? And what are the best oils for hair health?

Below, we break down the research and explore the benefits of hair oiling.

Hair oiling involves massaging natural oils into your scalp, hair strands, or both. It can help boost moisture, improve shine, and enhance overall hair health.

While this hair care practice dates back thousands of years, it’s still popular today.

Common hair oils include:

• Coconut oil

• Argan oil

• Sesame seed oil

• Almond oil

• Olive oil

• Amla oil

• Jojoba oil

• Castor oil

• Sunflower oil

Many of these oils are rich in fatty acids and the antioxidant vitamin E.

Each oil has a different consistency and varying (alleged) benefits. The right oil for your haircare routine depends on your hair type and goals.

So, does hair oiling work? It depends on the type of oil you use and what you’d like to get out of it.

Let’s break down the reported benefits of hair oiling.

1. Hydration and Moisture

Oils help seal in moisture, which is essential for nourishing dry hair and reducing frizz. Coconut oil, in particular, can deeply penetrate the hair cuticle, leaving hair hydrated and silky. Research also shows that jojoba oil could help condition and soften hair.

2. Improves Hair Strength

The review linked above suggests jojoba oil may reduce hair strand protein loss, strengthening them over time. This helps protect against breakage due to heat styling, brushing, or environmental factors like pollution and UV rays.

3. Promotes Scalp Health

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Using oils for scalp massage may improve blood circulation and deliver nutrients to hair follicles, which can support healthier, stronger hair growth. Some oils may also help soothe a dry, itchy scalp.

A 2021 study involving 140 women found that those who used coconut oil hair treatments for 12 weeks saw increases in good bacteria on their scalps — which also reduced dandruff.

Castor oil may also be a good choice for dry scalps. It’s rich in fatty acids, which can help moisturize the scalp.

4. Improves Hair Appearance

Hair oiling might also help fix split ends, resulting in healthier looking hair.

While oiling won’t permanently fix split ends, it can temporarily smooth out hair, making it look sleeker.

Oiling your hair regularly can also enhance its natural shine, reduce flyaways, and make it easier to detangle and style.

If you’re here because you saw a Tiktok suggesting hair oiling stops male pattern baldness, we have some unfortunate news for you. There’s very, very little evidence to suggest that hair oiling treats hair loss. Most of it is anecdotal.

The results you get from hair oiling also depend on the type of oil you use.

A study on herbal hair loss treatments suggests castor oil might help slow hair loss. But the evidence is far from conclusive.

Plus, keep in mind that hair loss has many possible causes — from genetics to hormone changes to nutritional deficiencies. Your best bet to slow hair thinning is to tackle the root cause with proven hair loss treatments.

Want to incorporate oil into your hair care routine? The process is pretty simple – just follow the steps below.

Step 1: Choose the Right Oil

Select an oil that suits your hair type and goals.

For example, if you want a lightweight oil to tame flyaway bits, opt for argan or jojoba oil. To hydrate denser locks, try a thicker oil like castor or coconut oil.

Everybody has their own personal preferences. Try experimenting with different hair oils to see what works best for you.

Step 2: Warm the Oil (Optional)

Warming the oil slightly can help it spread more easily — and it can feel soothing on the scalp. Just make sure it’s not too hot before applying!

Step 3: Apply the Oil

Use your fingertips to gently massage the oil into your scalp in circular motions. This can improve circulation and relax your muscles.

For healthier hair ends, focus on applying the oil to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, which are typically driest.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Leave the oil on your hair for 20 minutes to an hour (or longer if your hair is especially dry). You can wrap your hair in a warm towel to help the oil penetrate hair strands and your scalp.

Step 5: Wash It Out

Rinse your hair thoroughly with a gentle shampoo to remove the oil. Depending on how much you use, you might need to shampoo twice.

Step 6: Repeat Weekly

Start with a weekly hair oiling routine and adjust based on how your hair responds.

While hair oiling has plenty of benefits, it’s not for everyone.

You might benefit from hair oiling if you have:

• Dry, coarse, or curly hair. These hair types often respond well to oiling because they naturally lack moisture and benefit from added hydration.

• Brittle or damaged hair. If your hair is prone to breakage, oiling can help strengthen it and reduce protein loss.

• Dull or frizzy hair. Oils can often help your hair look shinier and smoother.

If you have fine or oily hair, hair oils might not work for you.

Oils can weigh down fine hair, leaving it greasy and flat. If you have fine hair, stick to lightweight oils like almond or jojoba, and apply them sparingly to the ends of your hair shaft.

If your scalp tends to get greasy quickly, avoid applying oil directly to the roots. Over-oiling can clog pores or exacerbate scalp issues like seborrheic dermatitis.

Drawbacks of hair oiling can include:

• Over-oiling. Applying too much oil can make hair greasy — and it can be difficult to wash out.

• Scalp irritation. Some oils, especially essential oils, can irritate the scalp if you don’t properly dilute them.

• Worsening dandruff. For those with seborrheic dermatitis, excess oil may worsen symptoms by feeding the yeast that contributes to dandruff.

If you’re unsure whether oiling is right for your hair type or condition, consult a dermatologist or hair specialist for personalized advice.

If hair oiling doesn’t work for you, other over-the-counter (OTC) products can help improve your hair and scalp health, including:

• Leave-in conditioners, which can be nourishing without weighing hair down

• Hair masks, which can improve softness, shine, and manageability

• Scalp exfoliators, to remove buildup on the scalp

• Scalp serums, to moisturize the scalp without the heaviness of oil

If you’re concerned about hair loss, consider research-backed hair loss treatments like:

• Minoxidil. This topical medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hair loss. It’s available over the counter as minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution.

• Finasteride. Another FDA-approved hair loss treatment is finasteride, an oral prescription medication. It works by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.

• Combination treatments. For a more potent hair loss treatment, you can try using finasteride and minoxidil together, like in our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray.

• Hair loss shampoos. You can also try DHT-blocking shampoos to help slow down male pattern hair loss. Try our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto.

It’s important to treat hair loss ASAP. Without treatment thinning almost always gets worse over time.

Hair oiling is a time-tested practice that can work for many hair types.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Hair oiling may have numerous benefits. It can moisturize dry hair, improve hair strength, nourish a dry scalp, and more.

• It’s not our go-to treatment for hair loss, though. Despite what you might’ve read on social media, there’s very little evidence that hair oiling prevents hair fall or stimulates hair growth.

• It’s easy to incorporate into your routine. Simply apply the oil, let it sit, and wash it out. Be sure to cleanse your hair thoroughly to prevent oil build-up.

While it may not work for everyone, experimenting with different oils and techniques can help you find a routine that fits your unique hair needs.

Looking for expert hair loss advice? We can help you book a virtual appointment with a healthcare professional. They can assess your hair loss and suggest possible treatment options.

Get started by taking a short quiz!