How To Apply Oil On Hair: A Step-By-Step Guide

Get the most out of this nourishing treatment and strengthen your hair with easy tips.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Aparna K, BAMS, MD, PhD (Ayurveda)
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach
Fact-checked by Medha Deb, Integrated MA  • 

You can get great results from hair oils, but only if you use them properly. Excessive use may clog your hair follicles and cause scalp buildup, and not using them enough may cause dryness. You have come to the right place if you want to know how to apply oil to hair effectively. Oiling your hair may help boost hair growth, keep it moisturized, add shine, prevent frizz and dry scalp problems. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to oil your hair correctly. The following article provides a comprehensive guide to oiling your hair. Read on for more information.

Why Should You Oil Your Hair?

Woman with dry and damaged hair
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Image: Shutterstock

Just like your skin needs moisturization, your scalp and hair need oils to stay healthy and moisturized. Hair oils contain essential nutrients that lubricate the hair follicles, provide moisture to the shafts, and keep them healthy. Oiling the hair enhances its growth, nourishes the roots, tames frizz, protects the hair from environmental stressors like dust, UV rays, and pollution, and prevents dryness. However, to reap the maximum benefits, you have to apply hair oils the right way.

How To Oil Your Hair Effectively: The 6 Steps

Step 1: Choose The Right Carrier Oil For Your Hair Type

Five women with different hair types need to use different oils
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Ensure that you are using the right carrier oil for your hair type. These oils can be used alone or with essential oils. Coconut, almond, jojoba, olive, sunflower, grapeseed, primrose, borage, and avocado oils are commonly used carrier oils. If you have a greasy scalp, use light oils like grapeseed and almond oils. Heavy oils, such as coconut, olive, and jojoba, are best for dry scalp and hair. Also, do not comb your hair after oiling. Dr. Michael May, Medical Director and Principle Surgeon at Wimpole Clinic, says, “The hair with oil is vulnerable to breakage since the scalp is relaxed.”

Tip: Brush your hair before oiling to get rid of all the knots and tangles. This will make the oil application process easy.

Step 2: Choose Your Favorite Essential Oil

Essential oils can help target specific scalp concerns like dry or flaky scalp. They promote hair growth and add shine and strength to your tresses. These are pure oils that capture the “essence” of the plant. You can choose them based on their properties and your hair type.

You can pick from oils like tea tree, lavender, peppermint, rose, jasmine, lemon, and sandalwood essential oils. These are highly concentrated and must be diluted in carrier oils. For 2.5% dilution, use 15 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons of carrier oil. For 3% dilution, add 20 drops of essential oil to 6 teaspoons of carrier oil. It is best to start from the lowest ratio.

Tip: Do a patch test to avoid any allergic reactions.

Step 3: Heat The Oil

No matter what your hair type is, you must heat the hair oil for a few seconds until it is warm. This allows for deeper penetration and seals the hair cuticles to keep the scalp moisturized. Ensure that the oil is not be not heated directly. Instead, warm it over hot water.

Tip For Easy Application: Section your hair into two parts for easy application. Pour one teaspoon of oil on your palm and spread it well using your fingertips.

Step 4: Massage Your Scalp

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Massaging the scalp stimulates the hair follicles and boosts blood circulation to the scalp (1). It also relieves headaches and promotes relaxation.

Massage the oil onto your scalp gently for 10-15 minutes. Use your fingertips to massage in circular motions and gently rub the oil and cover the entire scalp area. After you are done with the scalp, apply it up to the ends of your hair.


protip_icon Quick Tip
Massaging your scalp every day may help improve blood circulation and strengthen hair follicles. However, avoid vigorous rubbing as it may damage the roots.

Step 5: Wrap Your Hair With A Warm Towel

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Wrapping your hair in a warm towel promotes deeper penetration of the oils into your scalp and hair. It helps rejuvenate dry and damaged hair and also seals moisture in your hair.

Tip: Do not tie or wrap your hair tightly as it may cause breakage.

Step 6: Rinse It Off Well

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Let your hair soak the oil for 1-2 hours. Wash it off with a mild shampoo. Do not leave it on for a long time as your hair will start attracting dirt. Use regular or cold water to rinse your hair.

After washing off the oil, continue with your regular hair styling routine. The nourishing properties of the hair oil will leave your hair soft, smooth, and manageable, making it easier to style.

Kreyola, a blogger, shared that she uses a heated blend of castor oil, olive oil and an essential oil on her sisterlocks or locs for nourishment. She writes, “I like how soft the castor oil makes my locks. I also massage my scalp with my hand that was already oily for extra circulation. That is totally optional (i)!”

While applying oil, you may notice some hair fall. Is it something to worry about? Find out in the next section.

Why Do You Observe Hair Fall After Oiling?

Oiling and hair massages may cause the weak strands to fall off, and this is a common phenomenon. On average, you may lose 50-100 strands every day. As long as the hair fall rate is normal, there is no need to be concerned. After oiling, you should leave it on for a certain time to let the hair and scalp absorb it. Washing it off earlier may not serve the purpose.

protip_icon Quick Tip
The amount of oil you need to apply to your hair depends on the type of oil you are using, the length of your hair, and the purpose (if you are using it for a hair mask, you will need more).

How Long To Leave Oil On The Hair

Not all hair types require the same amount of time to absorb oil. Dr. May says, “Leaving oil on overnight means intensive treatment for your hair. However, this also means risking clogging your pores and accumulating dirt and grime on the hair and scalp if you leave the oil for too long.” So, as a rule of thumb, you should not leave it for more than 2-4 hours on your hair. You may wash it off on the same day. However, make sure to keep it on for at least 1-2 hours. Also, never apply oil to dirty hair.

What Happens When We Oil Dirty Hair?

When you apply oil to dirty hair and scalp, the oil further clogs the scalp pores, trapping the dirt. Dirty hair and scalp cannot soak the goodness of the oil, and your hair becomes prone to breakage. You can apply oil to both wet and dry hair. However, the results will be different.

Oiling Wet Hair Or Dry Hair – Which One Is The Best?

If you apply oil to wet hair, water will repel it and not allow the oil to penetrate through follicles. However, oiling wet hair allows better detangling and offers protection from heat styling tools. Applying oil on dry hair adds shine and protects the hair from UV rays and pollution. Moreover, dry hair can absorb oil effectively. However, you should be careful about the frequency and quantity of oil used.

Does Too Much Oil Damage The Hair?

The scalp produces natural oils to lubricate the hair and maintain hair health. Applying too much oil on the scalp disturbs this natural cycle and makes your hair greasy. Heavy oiling can clog the pores and choke the scalp, preventing hair growth and causing hair fall.

Oiling your hair too often can make it greasy and limp. That is why the right frequency is key. Learn more in the next section.

How Often Should You Oil Your Hair?

How frequently you need to oil your hair depends on your scalp condition, hair type, and personal preference. It is generally recommended to oil one’s hair once a week for most hair types. However, those with really dry hair may benefit from oiling their hair twice a week.

Find the right balance that works for your hair and adjust the frequency accordingly. Choose a suitable oil for your hair type and focus on the ends and dry areas to keep your tresses nourished and healthy.

Infographic: How To Oil Your Hair – 5 Easy Steps

When applying oil to our hair, we often do not worry about the needs of our hair. Any over-the-counter hair oil might work as long as we use it, or so we believe. However, our scalp and hair are sensitive and require just as much attention as the rest of our body.

Check out the infographic below to learn the essential steps to oil your hair properly.

how to oil your hair 5 easy steps (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Adding a hair oil to your hair care routine can provide multiple benefits for hair health. It may help resolve several hair-related issues. The article here has discussed how to apply oil on hair properly. Though an oiling hair treatment may aid hair nourishment, boost hair growth, improve the shine, and prevent dry and frizzy scalp issues, you must follow the right application procedure to reap maximum benefits. Excessive use, as well as not using them enough, may harm your hair health. Massaging your scalp with oil once or twice a week promotes relaxation and boosts hair growth. With consistent use, you can achieve beautiful, healthy, and lustrous hair that enhances your natural hair’s beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should we apply oil to hair?

You should apply oil to clean wet or dry hair. Oiling dirty hair can increase buildup and cause hair damage.

Can I apply oil daily on my hair?

Yes, you can oil your hair daily, especially if you have dry, damaged, or weak hair. Avoid regular oiling if you have acne-prone or oily skin and scalp.

Do you oil before or after washing hair?

You can apply oil before washing your hair and leave it on for an hour or overnight.

How many times should I oil my hair in a week?

Oil your hair once or twice a week if you have oily or normal hair. If you have dry hair, you can oil your hair more frequently.

Key Takeaways

  • Choosing the right essential and carrier oils is the first step towards achieving healthy and well-nourished hair.
  • Using the right amount of oil is crucial for preventing your scalp from choking.
  • Moreover, leaving the oil for longer periods must be avoided as your strands can get greasy and attract dirt.
  • Hair fall while applying oil is common. Do not avoid oiling hair for this reason.


Learn how to apply hair oil properly and give yourself a relaxing hair oil massage. Watch this video for detailed instructions.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/
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