Q&A for How to Make a Hot Oil Treatment for Hair

Wash your hair after you use hot oil so you don't have it built up on your scalp.

Once a week tends to be sufficient for most hair types and this is commonly suggested by the instructions on commercially available hot oil treatments. Sometimes doing it two or even three times a week might be beneficial for very dry or damaged hair, just until it improves. And if you don’t really like doing hot oil treatments, and your hair is healthy, try doing it once a month to gain at least some benefits. It is suggested that you do some experimentation to see what works best for your hair. It can also help to talk to your hairdresser for advice tailored to your hair type.

Provided the hot oil treatment is used properly, as directed by either the manufacturer when using commercial treatments or instructions for homemade oil treatments (as in the article above), it should be beneficial for most hair types. It is important to take great care when handling the hot oil and to avoid burning your hand, scalp or facial skin.

It is a good idea to apply your hot oil treatment to clean hair, so washing it first is the best approach. Be sure to use only shampoo though, as any other hair treatments might stop the hot oil treatment from penetrating the hair follicles. You can do a deep conditioning after the oil treatment, if wished.

Benefits of hot oil hair treatments include restoring moisture to dry or damaged hair and stimulating blood flow that can, in turn, encourage hair growth and help keep hair healthier. It may help to control frizziness, flyaway hair and rough textured hair, and might even help to reduce or remove dandruff.

Cooking oil is not the right oil type for a hot oil hair treatment. It is usually highly processed and does not have the same nutrients as less processed oils. However, if your usual cooking oil is cold pressed, such as cold pressed sunflower oil, then you could use if for a hot oil treatment, as it will still contain nutrients. The best type of oil is what is known as a “carrier oil,” which are also used for diluting essential oils. These oils include extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, etc.

Extra virgin olive oil (also known as EVOO) is an ideal oil to use for hot oil treatments. It has little processing (no heat, no added chemicals), so it still retains its nutrients and will nourish your scalp and hair. It also stands the test of time and has been used effectively since Ancient times for hair care. It is especially helpful for dry, damaged, coiled, curly hair, and for hair prone to frizziness. For more ideas, check out the wikiHows: How to Condition African Hair with Olive Oil and How to Make an Olive Oil Hair Mask .

It is better to do it without plaits so it soaks in more evenly.

You're fine to shampoo and condition as usual anytime after the oil treatment, your hair just needs enough time to soak up whatever oil you use. Normally you would leave in the treatment 15-20 minutes, then wash and condition.

You can use any natural oil. The best oils are unrefined, pure, or extra virgin.

You should probably shampoo after you have left the oil in for a while. You don't have to wash it right away, but when you feel like you're ready, you should wash it and use shampoo to avoid having a greasy look.

You can if you want, but it's unnecessary. The oil itself acts as a deep conditioner.

It is preferred that you wash your hair (with shampoo) before doing the treatment. If you're asking about Step 5, no, you don't have to wash it again.

No, never put hot oil on your head. Use warm oil instead to avoid burns.

Eating healthy, drinkings lots of water, and exercising promotes hair growth! This article has some great tips: how to make your hair grow faster .

Yes, as long as it wasn't JUST dyed. Wait to do this until after all the dye still in your hair has washed out in the shower. Depending on the intensity of the dye, this may take many washes.

Yes, it may. Oil promotes hair growth. Since oil is used for the treatment, you may notice your hair growing thicker and/or faster.

Only for a few minutes until the heat is bearable. Check the heat with your finger and remove it when it is ready.

Absolutely, it works on anyone with a scalp. And yes, it helps fight dandruff.

Yes, it should still work. It will reduce breakage and make your hair look and feel healthier.

You can heat oil in the microwave, but do it in short bursts of 10-15 seconds at a time, stirring in between, to make sure you don't overheat it. You don't want to make the oil steaming hot, just warm enough to massage easily through hair and scalp.

Yes, but you don't need to. Your hair will be a bit greasy if you don't wash it with soap, but it will also be very shiny.

You shouldn't need to, as the hot oil is a deep conditioner.

Personally, I created a mixture of coconut oil, olive oil, honey, and argan oil for my hot oil treatment, then washed everything out using keratin infusion shampoo and conditioner. Keratin will definitely help with split ends and dry hair, and it won't hurt to add any oils you want to the coconut oil. Go for it!

I have natural hair and in my experience hot oil treatments work well.

You could, but you should rinse it completely out of your hair with hot or warm water. After it is all removed, then you should rinse with cold water to seal your hair and to prevent dirt from building up.

After rinsing your hair will still feel oily, but not as oily when you did the hot oil treatment. If your ends are dry, lightly grease the strands, focusing on the ends and not the scalp before you style your hair in twists.

It isn't necessary -- washing too often strips your hair of essential oils. If you're doing an oil treatment, you most likely have breakage and don't want to risk worsening that. You could wash your hair afterwards if your hair tends to be oily and you're concerned, but you don't have to.

Get the water to a rolling boil. Turn the heat off after this or the oil will be too hot to touch.

Yes, you can apply it to your scalp too, but make sure the oil is just warm. If it's too hot, it could burn you.