How Long Should You Leave Your Hair Oil On Your Hair? Overnight or 1 Hour? : My Views

Hello, people! Summer has already arrived in Chennai and this means, I’m literally going to feel like being inside an oven. I’ve this strong hatred for Chennai summers (as much as Roo hates summer!) and I’ve no clue how I’m going to spend the rest of the year bearing Mr.Sun. How’s the weather at your place?!

Coming to the topic today – ‘How long to leave the oil on your hair’? might sound like a simple question but it has been sent to me several times (maybe everyday?) since I starting selling my product. I thought I’d share my views on the same with you today!

Before coming to my personal conclusion, I want to explain a few lines about how oiling impacts your hair growth. Hair oil, firstly moisturizes your scalp, then your hair and provides rich nourishment to the root. As you might know, an hair strand is made up of several thread like structures, and when it gets dehydrated, it breaks! It splits. Your hair oil prevents that. Researches say coconut oil is one of the best oils to penetrate into the hair shafts effectively. (And it is one of the main base oils of the product I make!)

Okay. So scalp?! By massaging your scalp with the oil, you prevent the hair roots and skin on the scalp from getting dehydrated/weak. This actually prevents dandruff from appearing. Next to the ‘moisturization’ part, the nutrients present in your hair oil helps the hair root to become stronger, as to prevent hair loss. Your hair oil also increases the cirulation in your scalp, fastening the hair growth; and it can also help in controlling body heat, which will again result in lesser hair shed. So, benefits of oiling hair are definitely not limited! It helps you in numerous ways. if done rightly.

Now comes your question – Will I get the same benefits if I leave the hair oil on my hair for an hour only? or should I go for the overnight treatment to make sure it works properly on my hair?

Honestly, this has no fixed answer. It totally depends on your hair type and the way your hair reacts to the oil you use! Personally, I allow hair oils to sit on my hair for 1-2 hours before my hair wash. (I’ve a fine, wavy-straight hair!) And I do overnight treatments roughly twice a month. I avoid overnight treatments every single time because I’ve sinusitis and repeated overnight oiling can trigger my headache sometimes. (not all the time! I love how my hair feels silkier after an overnight treatment!) Also, Chennai being a humid city makes me feel very uncomfortable during summers to sleep with oil on my hair.

My mom, on the other hand, leaves the oil to stay on her hair all day, all night long till her next hair wash! (She washes her hair once in a week, FYI) and she’s comfortable with it. Since she stays at home all the time, the oily scalp doesn’t attract much dirt. Hence, she experiences no itching. If you are on the same boat, you can opt for daily/overnight oiling and enjoy the benefits! If not, go for a quick oil treatment before EVERY hair wash and do overnight oiling once or twice a month, if that’s feasible. Nevertheless, they both work more or less the same; except if you have a very dry, brittle hair you will not need a very intense night-treatment so often.

Hope I helped you with my opinions today. But again, these are just my personal views and you’re free to decide how to use your hair oil. A very rough hair type might need overnight oiling to regain the softness; so it’s completely up to you. BUT, one hour oiling is never a waste of time; and no, you aren’t wasting the product as well because oil moisturizers the scalp, lubricates the hair and not only avoids damage during the wash but also provides softness post-wash.

A little suggestion from my side – never shampoo dry hair. It leads to frizz and split ends in a long run. Even if you’ve got only few minutes before you hair wash, (say 15 minutes!) do rub some oil and enjoy your soft hair after the rinse! I use my MABH Fast Growth Hair Oil for oiling; however I also suggest light oils such as coconut oil (virgin; not scented or colored!) for this quick treatment. Olive/castor oils should be spared for overnight treatments since they’re thicker texture wise.

Keep in mind, leaving the hair oil on your hair for TOO long may lead to itchy scalp – and then indirectly hair loss, in some people. Here ‘too long’ means more than a week or so. Hair oils ITSELF would not trigger the hair fall but the dust, lint etc attracted can cause an allergic reaction on your scalp if not cleansed properly. So if your oily scalp gets itchy after a few days, you should consider a hair wash.

My oiled hair secured in a loose bun.. This is how I wear my hair after oiling, pre-wash!

How long do you leave your hair oil to work on your hair usually? Do you follow a daily-hair-oiling-routine? Do share your comments below. I’m all open to discussions on this topic!