Hair oiling continues to dominate TikTok feeds - and hair experts have delivered their verdict on the treatment.
Hair oiling involves applying oil, such as rosemary oil, to your scalp. It is claimed to help with blood circulation which in turn increases hair growth. On TikTok, #hairoiling has 513.4 million views on the platform with 12,000 global searches in April.
What is hair oiling?
Hair expert Nicole Petty at Milk + Blush has said, while this practice has been around for over 3,000 years, it's become an essential and valued haircare method in the Western world of late. There are hair oils available for all hair types and textures.
How do you do hair oiling?
Nicole has advised that people should follow this routine once or twice a week to achieve the best results.
Start by pouring one to three pumps of oil into your palm and allowing it to warm up before applying it to your scalp.
Section off your hair and massage the oil into your scalp in a circular motion using your fingertips. For the best results, massage your head for 10-15 minutes to promote blood circulation and hair growth.
Use the remaining oil and gently work it through the mid-lengths to ends and use a wide-tooth comb to ensure even distribution and stop the hair from tangling.
Tie your hair in a loose plait and leave overnight before thoroughly washing your hair to remove all traces of oil.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of hair oiling?
Nicole has said that hair oiling is a great solution for improving scalp and hair health that's suitable for all hair types and textures. Gently massaging your scalp is known to promote blood circulation to your hair cuticle and therefore stimulate hair growth, while adding oil to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair can strengthen the hair shaft and add moisture that leaves it looking and feeling silky and smooth.
However, different hair types, textures or concerns require different types of oil. For example, rosemary oil is thought to be good for treating hair loss.
One study found that rosemary essential oil is just as effective as minoxidil (Rogaine) for treating male and female pattern baldness. This is because it contains ursolic acid, which strengthens circulation in the scalp to allow more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.
Coconut oil is a popular choice for most hair types to add moisture and prevent split ends and amla or almond oil is good for medium hair types and textures. Avocado oil helps restore frizzy hair, while those with thin or fine hair will benefit from sesame, jojoba and argan oil.
Hayley Pritchard is a hairdresser at Voodou Hair Salon, which has sites on Bold Street and on West Derby Road. She uses hair oiling herself and has recommended it to others.
She said: “I’ve got curly hair and so use hair oiling. It does help hair growth as it increases blood circulation.”
Hayley said that rosemary oil is a popular oil to use. However, she did emphasise one downside of the practice. She added: “Hair oiling makes your hair greasy at first. You have to wash it out well with shampoo.”
READ NEXT:
Matalan shoppers adore 'perfect' £15 summer dress in a 'soft material'
Dr Michael Mosley shares how cutting out one fruit can aid weight loss
Ryanair, TUI, Jet2 and easyJet hand luggage rules
Martin Lewis warning to millions of people with private or company pensions
Zara's £30 tote bag is a 'dupe' of £610 designer Chloe version
