Could Oiling Be The Secret To Great Hair?

Hair oiling may be blowing up on TikTok right now, thanks in part to the second season of Bridgerton, but the practice actually dates back thousands of years. Occasionally called hair slugging, hair oiling is an important Ayurvedic ritual that’s passed from generation to generation in South Asia. “One of the reasons Indian women and men have such thick, glossy hair is because they give themselves and their loved ones a weekly head massage using revitalizing, nourishing oils,” explains Anita Kaushal, co-founder of Mauli Rituals. “Hair oiling seriously influences the quality of hair and therefore its density. After you wash the oils out, you will see that your hair feels fuller, softer and shinier.” And who doesn’t want that? Here’s the lowdown…

While hair oiling will deliver some immediate benefits, namely shine, it is consistent use that will deliver the best results. “There are many superficial, quick-fix solutions to better-looking hair, but if you want to encourage strong, healthy regrowth, it’s vital to nourish the scalp,” Kaushal explains. “You will notice hair is softer, fuller and just looks healthy. Beyond that, the oils work on a cellular level to improve regrowth.”

There’s no hard and fast rule, but once a week is a good place to start. We like to do it on a Sunday when we’re already doing a top-to-toe overhaul. Kaushal recommends dividing your dry hair into sections and applying a few drops of oil to your scalp along the partings. Massage the oil into the skin either with your fingertips; a scalp massager, like the Hayo’u Beauty Restorer Comb, or a palm-held scalp massager, like Ceremonia’s The Scalp Power-Duo. “Leave the oil in for an hour or two while you go about your day, then wash it out,” she advises. For a more intensive treatment when your hair is feeling and looking particularly parched, Kaushal recommends leaving the oils in to work for longer. “I use Mauli Rituals Grow Strong Hair Oil overnight as a repair treatment. After applying it to my scalp, I work a bit through to the ends of my hair, tie it back, and then wash my hair as normal in the morning.” If you opt to oil your hair before bed, wearing a turban, like Slip’s Pure Silk Turban will help to protect your pillows.

A good hair oil should do two things: restore and protect. For the restore element, oils such as argan and baobab will help to nourish your scalp and hair, while calming antioxidants will deliver a defense against UV and pollution. “Vitamin C-rich amla oil is one of the most popular ingredients in a traditional hair oil,” explains Kaushal. “It’s known to stimulate hair growth and remedy a dry, itchy scalp. Ashwagandha, an Indian adaptogen that has regenerating and calming properties, is also a popular Ayurvedic ingredient.”

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