Hot-Oil Hair Treatment

A hot-oil treatment is a temporary but effective solution for those with dry, brittle, damaged hair. Although it is not a permanent fix, applying hot oil to hair that has seen better days improves the look and feel of the hair when compared with just shampooing it.

Benefits

Hot-oil treatments are a form of deep conditioning. They add moisture to the hair, thereby improving the strength of each hair shaft. Some store-bought formulations, such as Moisture---Repair Hot Oil Treatment by Tresemmé, also provide UV protection for color-treated hair. V05's Moisturizing Hot Oil Shower Works® include vitamin E in its formula for added strength; it bonds to the weak sites along each strand, reconstructing the damaged hair.

Drawbacks

Hot-oil treatments are only temporary fixes for damaged hair. One treatment typically shows benefits for a few days, but then the oils are washed away. The suggested frequency for store-bought treatments is about once a week; homemade versions benefit with the same frequency.

A safety issue concerns the heating of the oil. Scalding is a real concern, so it is necessary to check the heat of the oil before massaging it through the hair and on the scalp. The oil should be very warm but tolerable.

Types

Two types of hot-oil treatments exist: store-bought formulas and homemade concoctions. Store-bought formulas are convenient but a bit pricier than homemade versions. They also may include additional ingredients, such as vitamin E oil or aloe. Homemade recipes usually include two common oils found in the kitchen, such as olive oil and canola oil. Both store-bought and homemade versions are effective for adding moisture to dry hair.

Homemade Recipe

Homemade hot-oil treatments are simple to make. Simply choose one or two oils---olive, canola, jojoba, soybean---and combine them. If aromatherapy is a preference, add a few drops of an essential oil, such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or chamomile, and warm the mixture on the stove or in the microwave. Make sure to stir the oils well, and test the temperature on a forearm to be certain that it is very warm but not scalding.

Application

If using a store-bought treatment, read the directions; most require warming the vial in a cup of hot water for one minute. If using a homemade version, heat the oil(s) on the stove or in the microwave, monitoring temperature. Apply to wet hair, massaging the treatment into the scalp and onto the hair from root to tip.

Rinse out well according to directions (one minute is typical for store-bought treatments) or leave a homemade treatment on for 15 minutes before rinsing. Follow up with shampoo and rinse well; do not use conditioner.

References

• Repair Hot-Oil Treatment
• Moisturizing Hot-Oil Shower Works