6 Oils For Fast Hair Growth (OIL MIXING DEMO)
A good 'ol head massage with an oil will strengthen and moisturise your strands anyway, but picking the right hair oil blend for your hair concern—whether it is prone to breakage or looks super dull—can help you target exactly what you need.
1. For damaged hair: Olive oil and almond oil
If you've been using heat styling tools or recently bleached your strands, your ends can look fuzzy, dry and worse for wear. Olive oil is a great oil for this kind of hair, as it will coat it from the outside-in, making the strands feel smooth and look polished. Being rich in nutrients and with an oily, viscous consistency, olive oil is an ideal natural balm for hair. In addition to having a detangling effect, it nourishes hair deeply, leaving it soft to touch. Argan oil, which is extremely rich in Vitamin E, helps keep the follicles free from splitting and fraying.
If you're using this mix as a protective spray, mix them into a bottle and spritz before using a straightening or curler. For a more deeper conditioning treatment, apply the warmed mix onto the hair, using a comb to ensure all the scraggly bits are sealed in with the oil.
2. For dandruff: Coconut oil and jojoba oil
They call coconut oil the true jack-of-all-trades when it comes to its beauty uses, but it can be too thick and viscous for those with fine or thin hair. Instead, it works well as a scalp soother for those with inflamed, dandruff-prone hair. Coconut oil is the richest natural source for lauric acid, a fatty acid that plays multiple roles of an antimicrobial agent, a moisturiser and a hormone regulator—all of which helps to fight seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. In most cases, dandruff is not caused due to dry hair. Instead, oily hair causes an ideal environment for the malassezia fungus to grow. The benefit of jojoba oil for this is that its structure closely resembles the building blocks of skin—specifically human sebum. Because it so closely resembles the skin's natural oil, its application signals that a healthy oil balance has been reached and the skin can now stop producing more oil.
For best results, warm up the coconut and jojoba oil and apply the liquefied mixture onto dry hair, focusing on massaging it onto the scalp. Then, after leaving it on for 20-30 minutes, wash off with a regular shampoo and conditioner.
3. For frizz: Apricot kernel oil and almond oil
Apricot kernel oil (or gutti ka tel) is a light oil that has occlusive properties, making it a great addition to your routine should you have moisture loss. It is rich in both oleic and linoleic acid. The former makes hair softer, while the latter aids in hydrating retention. For those with high porosity hair, this is ideal. Apricot oil seals moisture into the hair shaft by shaping the scales of the cuticle and sealing them together. This helps protect the hair from harsh elements and damage, and smooth cuticles encourage shinier strands. Almond oil contains nourishing properties and high levels of Vitamin E, magnesium and omega-rich fatty acids, which gives it an immediately shine when applied. For best use, mix the light oils in your palms, press them together to distribute the oil evenly, and then run them down the lengths of your strands to smooth frizz and flyaways.
4. For hair growth: Castor oil and grapeseed oil
Purported as the best miracle growth agent for eyebrows and eyelashes, castor's oil properties have been much discussed. While studies have not proven that castor oil can increase hair growth, it can help improve blood circulation to the scalp, making other growth-inducing products work better. Castor oil is made up of ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that stimulates a receptor to cause blood vessel dilation. This can increase the flow of nutrient-rich blood to the follicle, or the root of the hair. Grapeseed oil is another great addition to this—new research shows that it contains a high level of antioxidants that may act as a Dihydrotesterone (DHT) blocker, the hormone related to male and female pattern baldness. Apply the two hair oils as a hair mask, focusing on massaging it onto the scalp and down the ends—the moisturising qualities of both prevent breakage and dryness too.
Also read:
8 celebrity hairstylist-approved tips to smooth frizzy hair during the rains
The best way to oil your hair to get the most out of the soothing ritual
Does oiling hair really help make it grow faster, healthier and thicker?
