Make a Hot Oil Treatment for Hair

Good hair care between haircuts helps you to maintain healthy texture and shine. While commercial hair-care products contain enriching ingredients that keep your hair looking good, treating yourself to a hot oil treatment with coconut, olive or jojoba oil will add that extra healthy glow to your hair. It's easy, it's fun, and we'll show you how to do it!

Steps

  1. Buy coconut oil. It is available in the baking section of many grocery stores since it has been found to be a healthy alternative to vegetable oils. It is also common at specialty and import grocery stores, and at some beauty supply stores.
    • Coconut oil is usually sold in a jar. It is solid at room temperature but will turn to a liquid in the palm of your hand. It melts at a relatively low temperature.
    • You can also use olive oil as the main oil in the treatment. Olive oil is a natural moisturizer and can help with dandruff, but does not have the protein preserving properties of the coconut oil. Olive oil is liquid at room temperature, but will heat well using the same method as the coconut oil treatment.
  2. Wash your hair. The same day you plan to do a hot oil treatment on your hair, wash it to ensure it is clean. Avoid using any hair care products at this time, such as mousses, gels or hairspray, as these may prevent the hot oil from penetrating the hair follicles.
  3. Make a water bath. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup (250 ml) of water to a boil.
  4. Heat your coconut oil. Take 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of coconut oil and place it in a small bowl or mug. Place the small bowl or mug in the water on the stove.
    • Add 1 tbsp. (15 ml) of olive oil if your scalp is dry, or you have dandruff.
    • Add 1 tbsp. (15 ml) of jojoba oil for fungal scalp problems. Jojoba oil is a natural fungicide.
    • Allow the oil to sit for a few minutes until it is warm but not hot. You do not want to burn yourself with the hot oil. Remove the oil cup with an oven mitt.
  5. Wet hair, if it is not already wet. It should be damp, but not soaking 
  6. Massage the oil into your scalp using fingertips dipped in the hot oil. Working your way from roots to ends, massage all the hot oil into your hair.
  7. Heat a towel with a hair dryer or clothes dryer. Wrap your hair with the towel and allow it to sit for 20 minutes.
    • Alternately, place hair under a clean shower cap, processing cap, or plastic bag and either sit under a heat cap or steamer for 15-20 minutes, or just allow your body heat to nourish your hair during the treatment.
  8. Wash and rinse hair thoroughly. Style as usual.
  9. Repeat once per month. This will protect your hair from protein loss, and keep it smooth, shiny, and beautiful.

Tips

  • Add a few drops of peppermint oil, which is what menthol is derived from. The tingling sensation you'll get is the peppermint oil stimulating blood to the hair follicles, increasing growth of hair over time. Dilute the peppermint oil in the other oils as they are carrier oils and peppermint is an essential oil.
  • Adjust the amount of oil you need according to the length and thickness of your hair. This hot oil recipe is adequate for medium length hair.
  • You could put the jar or bottle of coconut oil in a measuring jug full of boiling water instead so it is surrounded by heat because that way it will melt much quicker.

Warnings

  • Oil can stain clothing. Wear clothes that you can get messy during your hot oil treatment.

Things You'll Need

  • Stove
  • Saucepan
  • Cup or mug
  • Water
  • Cloth towel
  • Processing cap, shower cap, or plastic bag
  • Steamer or heat cap (optional)
  • Coconut oil
  • Olive oil (optional)
  • Jojoba oil (optional)
  • Peppermint oil (optional)

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Sources and Citations

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