How Do Homemade & Hot Oil Treatments Help Your Hair?

Damaged Hair

Hair is one part of your body that is continuously exposed to outside elements. Sun, smoke, pollution, cold, heat and styling products all take their toll on the hair's condition. Even the state inside your body affects your hair. Stress, poor nutrition and dehydration all play a role in hair health. One way to combat all of these negative influences on the health of your hair is with homemade hot oil treatments. No need to spend a lot of money at the spa or the salon, these treatments can be made at home with ingredients and oils that are probably already in your cupboard. Overuse of heating elements such as hair dryers, curling irons or straighteners can rob the hair of necessary moisture and oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Homemade hot oil treatments condition the hair shaft, restoring strength to it.

How Hot Oil Treatments Work

When hair is dry, the hair shaft becomes weak and damaged. This results in breaking and splitting of the hair. Not only does this make the hair appear frizzy and unhealthy, it also makes it seem as if it is just not growing, since the ends keep breaking off. When you apply a homemade hot oil treatment, a few things happen. Usually, before applying, the hair is still damp from being freshly washed. When the hot oil treatment is applied, the oil covers the hair shaft and seals the moisture into the shaft. The oil helps the outside of the hair shaft by coating the split ends and breaking points, giving the appearance of smooth, healthy hair. The oil not only conditions the hair, it detangles it as well, preventing further breakage from brushing and pulling the hair. Applying hot oil treatments also benefits hair in the long term, not just temporarily. When applying the oil, massaging the scalp gently with the fingertips promotes circulation and blood flow to the scalp. This encourages the production of the scalp's natural oils, which are the ideal oils for keeping the hair healthy. Giving a hot oil treatment once a week, along with a light scalp massage, will help your hair become naturally moisturized and strengthened.

Homemade Hot Oil Treatment

To make a hot oil treatment, pour some olive, coconut, almond, jasmine or even vegetable oil in a plastic baggie and seal it well. Run some very hot water out of the tap, place the baggie in the hot water and let it warm up for at least 3 minutes. In the meantime, shampoo and condition your hair as usual. Cover your hair with the hot oil, massaging your scalp and neck as you do so. Wrap your treated hair in a warm towel or a shower cap, and leave the treatment on your hair for 15 minutes. Rinse well, paying close attention to the scalp area. Too much oil left on the scalp can interfere with the release of your body's natural oils. Use this hot oil treatment two times per week for shiny, healthy hair.

Resources

• How to Make Homemade Hot Oil Treatments, from eHow
• Video: Treating Damaged Hair, from eHow