new thread
Hi, guys,
What are your opinions and experiences of hair oiling? Years ago, when I first had long hair, I tried a VO5 hot oil treatment which turned out to be a disastrous mistake and that kind of put me off trying it again. My hair ended up really lank and horrible for days after even though I followed the instructions to the letter.
I'm thinking about adding jojoba oil to my usual routine but I'd like to know if any of you guys use anything like that and if so, what advice you can give me on what to do and when to do it, things to avoid and any general tips or information you might have.
My hair's just about waist length and the ends are getting quite dry now despite ladling on the conditioner. I don't have many splits, but I do still have problems with the tips breaking off. My ultimate goal is to see how long it will grow, although it's already long enough that it's interfering with sports (ever been whacked across the eyes by a braid?) and driving as it gets caught between my back and the seat.
Thanks in advance.
Viking
Hi Viking,
I've had good success using Jojoba oil, applying it primarily onto my hair ends, and then massaging it into the lower half of my mane only (although when combing afterwards, it will also distribute somewhat further up than that). I also have used Kukui nut oil, Almond oil, and even Olive oil, --- all are beneficial for applying to dry hair ends. A little oil goes a long way, though: pour only a coin-size amount into the palm of one of your hands, then rub both hands together before applying it to the lower portion of your hair.
I like to use any of the above-mentioned oils on my hair whether it's damp after just having shampooed and conditioned it, or fully dry, --- and once in awhile I even apply oil BEFORE shampooing (like the night before, as an example). I have never tried the VO5 treatment, although I've definitely heard about it from women friends of mine. And I have never, EVER applied any oil onto my scalp directly, --- my scalp gets oily enough as it is!
My hair touches my belt in back, so a similar length to yours. And my guess is that I'm pretty close to terminal length now, since my mane gets very thin towards the ends....
Hope my comments have helped!
- Ken in San Francisco
PS - Here's a pic of me brushing my hair when dry, --- something I also regularly like to do to help distribute the scalp's natural oils down the hair shafts towards the ends (as well as to stimulate blood flow to the scalp itself)... and because it feels GREAT!! This pic was taken in the summer of '05, so my hair is now a tiny bit longer than this pic shows.
Thanks, Ken.
I've been told it's one of those cases where less is more, which is maybe the mistake I made with the VO5. I'll see how I get on with a few drops at a time. It's easy enough to add more if necessary but a lot harder to wash the excess out.
Viking
I use a few drops of Jojoba oil mixed in with every dose of conditioner and feel it really improves the texture of my hair.
I have brittle and dry wavy/curly hair.
I think the success of oiling really depends on one's type of hair.
Without oiling and leaving some conditioner in my hair, I'd have a frizzy/dry bird's nest.
Worst case is you just shampoo it out.
Give it a try.
I've tried JoJobba oil either directly or in various mixtures with other things like pump spray conditioners and I've tried "defriz" products that seemed to have a healthy dose of mineral oil (or some kind of oil). My results have been --surprise--greasy looking oily hair. Hair like yours, that was shiny, limp and looked like it needed washing. I concluded oils aren't for me and I don't need them.
p.s. I read Ken's post and that tells me I probably used too much oil and put it in the wrong place. Also, my hair may not be long enough yet. I may try oil again in 2 or 3 years.
I must admit that's what I've thought for years, but as it's getting longer and the ends are getting drier, I thought I'd give it one more try. I think I might have used too much the last time, plus my hair's about a foot longer than it was then. I'll let you know how I get on.
That's because that treatment contains mineral ol, I believe.
I use olive oil, jojoba and coconut oils, and I'm happy with them.