Oiling African-American Hair, How Often, What to Use and What to Avoid

Everybody's hair is not the same when it comes to oiling the scalp. African-American hair tends to get dryer faster, which is the primary reason that black hair is not washed on a daily basis. The average shampoo and conditioning is bi-weekly because it takes black hair much longer to get the oils that other hair types are trying to wash out on a daily basis. And although there are moisturizers in shampoo, African-American hair requires scalp oiling.

How do I know which brand to buy?

Hair conditioner with mayonnaise, coconut oil, olive oil, tea tree, cocoa butter and vitamins tend to help the hair grow. But the brand depends on the hair type. If you are looking for hair growth, try herbal growth items. If you're looking to avoid dandruff, try coconut oil or aloe vera oils that will moisturize the scalp.

How often should I apply hair oil?

There are black women with hair that gets fairly dry on a weekly basis while others need daily hair oil. Weather changes and texture of hair also effect how often one should oil her hair so there is no right or wrong answer. I routinely oil my hair every Friday night so it becomes a habit. Be careful with how much hair oil you put in your hair though because the thicker the oil, the less you may need. You should be able to comb your hair easily after using leave-in scalp conditioners or hair oils. Some people prefer the kind of black hair oil or leave-in conditioner that they can rub in their hands (ex. mayonnaise hair oil) and just brush through their hair while black women with thicker hair, like myself, require parting the hair every few centimeters to dabble directly onto the scalp to "grease the scalp."

Lotion hair oil or paste-like hair oil

Every hair type is not going to take hair oil the same. For thicker hair, adding liquid hair oil may tangle the hair. The top layers will be oily, but while trying to comb the oil through, you may comb out healthy hair. Try using paste-like hair oil directly on the scalp to moisturize the skin and lotion hair oil to moisturize the tips of hair. Lotion hair oil is ideal for styling and curling black hair though because it makes thicker hair more flexible.

Hair oil smells

Not all hair oils smell as strong as others. Hair conditioner treatments like TCB and Blue Magic have strong fragrances, but there are lighter scents like Pink Oil and Parnevu. Smell it before you buy it because you have to walk around with that scent in your head and probably on your sheets.

Hair oil stains

You should never have so much hair oil on your head that you can't lay on a pillow without leaving a reminder. If you do, you definitely have on too much hair oil around the outside areas of your head. Be careful with wearing your hair free on cotton pillows. Silk wraps claim to help hair growth and avoid healthy hair being pulled out. If anything, the hair oil should be on the wrap caps, not your pillowcases and sheets.

Additional Notes: This entry was originally published by the Chicago Black Hair & Health Examiner.