Oil Rinsing For Soft, Smooth & Shiny Hair

Every naturalista at some point in their hair journey had problems of dryness & manageability. So if your hair is dry and hard to manage at this point in your hair journey,  you’re not alone.

Oil rinsing method has helped so many naturalista all over in fighting dry, hard hair. I’ve been doing it for months now and it’s been wonderful.

What is Oil Rinsing?

Oil rinsing is an extra step added to your wash regimen where you would add oil to your hair after you shampoo and before you condition. Oil rinsing is different from mixing oils into your deep conditioner because the oil is added to the hair itself, and is considered different from a hot oil treatment because that is done prior to shampoo and oil rinsing is done in the middle.

Oil rinsing is a technique used to lock moisture in ones hair while in the process of washing and conditioning. It is very similar to the LOC method, except it is only done in the shower. It is usually done with one of three oils—olive, coconut or avocado—because they penetrate the hair shaft.

The advantages of Oil Rinsing include:

•  Moisture retention
• smooth, soft hair
• reduction/elimination of single strand knots
• easier detangling
• natural shine enhancer
• Eliminates frizz

Choosing Your oils

Penetrative oils have the molecular structure that allows them to enter the hair. Since penetrating oils can enter the hair shaft they can also bind to water inside the hair. There are only 3 oils that have been proven to absorb or penetrate into hair. These oils are coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. You can mix all three together, just two or use them separately. I like to use just coconut oil for my hair.

How To Do An Oil Rinse

Follow these steps to oil rinse and you’ll be on your way to stronger, longer hair.

1. Wash your hair with shampoo or cowash

2. Part hair into four sections (or more depending on hair’s thickness and length).

3. Saturate hair and scalp with the oil of your choice. Choose oils like  jojoba oil, meadow foam seed oil, avocado oil, amla oil, argan oil, olive oil, or coconut oil; or a mixture of one or more of the oils. (You can use an application bottle if you mix multiple oils together.)

4. Using the tips of your fingers gently massage the oil from root-to-tip stroking in a downward motion.

5. Cover hair with a plastic cap and leave the oil on hair for a minimum of 5 minutes or more (You can decide on a longer length of time at your own discretion.)

6. Detangle hair using a wide-tooth comb or a Denman brush and rinse the oil in hot water.

7. Follow-up with your regular conditioner. Rinse out with cool water.

What makes oil rinsing better than a hot oil treatment

Shampooing process is done before oil is applied so any natural oils lost during shampooing are immediately replenished. Furthermore, if the ideal amount of oil is applied i.e. not too much, the tresses will not be left greasy after the final rinse but rather will dry soft with much better moisture retention. Conditioning straight after the oil prevents too much of it from being left on the strands but enough is left to allow it to dry soft.

Applying this oil rinsing method regularly is guaranteed to leave your hair soft and moisturize, without a weighed down feel.