We’ve all heard about hot oil treatments and the moisture that they can infuse into to dry parched hair. Most often, we make purchases in beauty supply stores or drugstores in search for the perfect blend of oils that will deeply penetrate the hair and leave it nourished and moisturized. However, a better choice than store bought hot oil treatments is the option of making your own. This will enable you to completely eliminate any damaging chemicals from the oil blend, ensuring optimal results (many store bought hot oil treatments add other ingredients and the oils are usually not pure).
Many oils that are frequently used for hot oil treatments include sweet almond oil
Here is a hot oil treatment recipe that I have used and really love. It adds lots of moisture to really dry hair.
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup shea butter
2 tablespoons jojoba oil
There are a few ways that you can add your DIY hot oil treatment to your regimen
Option 1
Simply combine all oils together in a glass bowl and place in the microwave for about 1 minute or until the oil is pretty warm but not hot; you don’t want to burn yourself. Transfer the oil to a bottle, and pour on the hair. Then, place a plastic bag or cap on the hair and sit under a hooded dryer or a heating cap. If you don’t own a hooded dryer or a heating cap, a warm towel can be wrapped around the head to confine the heat to the head or a thermal conditioning cap
Option 2
You can do this as a pre-poo treatment, preventing essential oils from being removed from hair while shampooing.
Option 3
Another option is to perform the treatment after the hair has been cleansed. For girls with curls who live by the LOC (Liquid Oil Cream) method, the hot oil treatment can simply be thoroughly rinsed out and then followed up with a cream to seal the hair.
Make it Your Own!
Other combinations are definitely possible. Many people enjoy adding a few drops of their favorite essential oil (such as lemon
A friend of mine told me that not all oils work together. How do you know which oils will work together when mixed and which ones won’t?
On Option 3 you said I can thoroughly rinsed out the oil treatment, do I use warm water or cold water. If I rinse with warm water, wouldn’t that wash off the oil?
I would use cool water to seal and keep the moisture in. Hot water will dry out your hair and should be used when your are attempting to remove buildup.
I personally normally rinse with cold water but if you want the heavy oils (like olive oil) I would suggest rinsing with warm water or else it’s just going to turn greasy when your hair dries.
I meant to add in “remove the heavy oils”, sorry.
I did a hot oil treatment once and went all in. I saturated my strands and my scalp and left it in for a few minutes. After I rinsed it out is when the nightmare began. My scalp was SOO itchy and irritated. I ended up having to wash it with shampoo a couple times to relieve the itch. Never. Again.