Hot Oil Treatments Part 1: How And Why To Do One

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By Evie of Urembo Asili

THE BENEFITS:

Hot oil treatments are a great way to show some love to your hair, especially when it feels dry and brittle:

• Regular hot oil treatments keep your hair healthy with less breakage during the cleansing process.  
• A hot oil treatment also makes detangling a breeze and, with less breakage, the hair is able to retain more length. 
• For those living in countries with cold seasons, hot oil treatments are a saviour in the winter months.
•  Ladies with coloured tresses can benefit heavily from hot oil treatments especially in combating breakage due to the dryness caused by chemical colouring systems.

THE PROCESS:

1. Warm your oil mixture by heating plain water on the stove.  Wait until the water is just about to boil and remove the pot from the stove.

2. Put the oil in a separate container (I use an applicator bottle) and place it in the pot of warm water until the oil warms up.

>>>Don’t heat the oil in the microwave because it will lose the nutrients.<<<

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3. Test the oil on your wrist before using so you don’t burn yourself.

4. Section your hair into 4-6 sections to make distribution easier and less messy.

5. Use the applicator bottle to distribute the oil throughout each section.

6. Carefully massage the mixture into your scalp; be sure to coat your ends!

7. Cover your hair with a plastic cap and let the oil treatment sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes.

8. a. (OPTIONAL) For added moisture, wet a towel with warm water and wring it out.  Wrap the warm towel around your head for 20-30 minutes. I sometimes put a damp towel/tshirt/kanga/lesso/scarf in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to warm it up.  Don’t worry if the towel cools down, the process is still working.

    b. Sit under a heat source like a heating cap or steamer. This will help lift the cuticles, allowing for better nutrient and moisture absorption.

9. Shampoo & condition as you normally would. (PS: shampooing isn’t mandatory; for those who prefer not to, you can simply co-wash/use black soap etc.)

HOW OFTEN:

Consistently doing these treatments will allow for softer and stronger hair with less breakage. How frequently you use hot oil treatments depends on the texture and condition of your hair.

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