Oil Treatments - What Is A Hot Oil Hair Treatment ?

Oil treatments for hair including hot oil hair treatments are used in order to put some life into tired, dull, dry, frizzy, damaged and lifeless looking hair. They differ from regular conditioners in that the conditioners we use after shampooing our hair will only treat the surface of the hair by leaving a thin coat over the hair strand. This thin coat acts as a protective layer against damage and will make the hair easier to comb through after washing. It will also make the hair feel softer.

Hot oil hair treatments on the other hand are designed to penetrate much deeper into the hair shaft in order to nourish the hair, replace lost moisture, and to attempt to repair any damage to the hair. Hot oil hair treatments can make all the difference to hair that has been subjected to harsh treatment and will make the hair look and feel softer and shinier and will also make hair easier to manage on a day to day basis.

Many people ask if hot oil treatments really work. Well the simple way to find the answer is to try it out and see. If you use the right hot oil treatment for your hair type and apply it according to the instructions, and of course if your hair needs hot oil treatments then the chances are you are going to see quite a difference in the condition of your hair.

If on the other hand you use the wrong type of hot oil treatment for your hair type, don't follow the instructions and continue to subject your hair to harsh treatment then you may find that you are disappointed with the results.

What many people don't realise is that damaged hair is very fragile. It will break and split easily and it won't take much to damage it beyond any hope of repair. If this is the case then there really isn't much you can do apart from cut the damaged parts (usually the ends) off. However, if your hair is severely damaged then this can be quite a drastic measure, especially if you like to wear your hair long.

How to avoid damage to the hair

Stay out of the sun as much as possible but if this is unavoidable then wear a scarf or hat in the sun and use products that contain a natural sunscreen. Long periods in the sun will dry out the hair and cause it to lose its shine.

Avoid exposing your hair to harsh chemicals and pollutants as much as possible. For example some shampoos and other hair products including perming lotions, relaxers, bleaches and hair dyes all contain chemicals that are potentially damaging to the hair.

Cigarette smoke, traffic fumes and chlorine in the swimming pool will all play havoc with your hair and can make your hair very dry.

Frequent use of heating elements such as hair straighteners, hair dryers and curling rods can subject the hair to intense heat and also cause it to dry out.

Finally, shampooing the hair on a daily basis can strip the hair of its natural oils and instead of the shiny head of hair you should have, your hair ends up a dry and feeling like straw.

What are the benefits of a hot oil treatment and how do you apply it?

As you can see then, the most important thing that dry or damaged hair needs is moisture to combat the dryness and this is where a hot oil treatment comes in. Not only will it help to replace the moisture by lubricating the hair, the natural oils in a hot oil treatment can help to nourish the hair, smooth down the cuticles and turn your dry and frazzled hair into silky soft tresses.

You can either buy a hot oil treatment kit straight off the shelf, in which case you just follow the instructions on the package or you can try making your own using vegetable oils you may well have in the home already.

Vegetable oils that work well in a hot oil treatment include the likes of olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, castor oil or sunflower oil. You could also try adding a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.

To apply the hot oil treatment heat the oil gently on the stove or in the microwave remembering to test the temperature before you use it. Don't apply it directly to the scalp, rub it into your fingers first and massage the oil into your scalp and down the hair shaft right to the ends of the hair where it will be needed the most. Soak your towel in hot water, wring it out and wrap your hair in it. Leave the oil on for about 20 minutes or so and shampoo off. It's simple to do and highly effective too.