Hot Oil Treatments: This Ancient Hair Ritual Could Be Your Key To Faster Hair Growth

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If your hair feels dry, dull, or simply refuses to grow past a certain length, hot oil treatment might be the ancient hair ritual your strands are craving.

A time-honored Indian hair care tradition, hot oiling is more than just a soothing pre-shampoo ritual. It’s a powerful therapy that nourishes, strengthens, and transforms your hair from root to tip. At HairCareSquare, we believe in results rooted in science and culture, and hot oil treatment checks both boxes beautifully.

Whether you’re new to the practice or looking to elevate your oiling game, here’s everything you need to know about doing a hot oil treatment the right way including how to pick the best oil, how to heat it properly, and what to expect

What Is A Hot Oil Treatment?

A hot oil treatment is a pre-poo ritual where warm oil is gently massaged into the scalp and hair to deeply nourish, repair damage, and promote healthy, natural hair growth. Warming the oil helps it penetrate the hair shaft better and increases scalp circulation which is essential for faster, stronger growth.

On this beauty blog, I preach the Indian hair oiling routine a lot. It is one of the long Indian hair secrets that I learned from my elders. In my oiling routine, I always make it a habit to heat up the hair oil using the double boiler method to enhance its nutrients more and reap the maximum benefits from the hot oil treatment.

This technique has been part of Indian beauty routines for centuries and is often passed down through generations. One of the core secrets? Warming your oil using the double boiler method to preserve and enhance its nutrient content.

Why Warmed Oil Works Better For Hair

Warming your oil (not boiling it) is crucial. When your oil is slightly heated, it:

• Opens up the hair cuticles for better absorption
• Stimulates blood flow to the scalp
• Nourishes the scalp more effectively
• Softens and smoothens hair strands
• Helps relieve itchiness and flakiness

The heat helps the oil penetrate better into your hair shafts nourishing them from within while it induces better blood flow in the scalp which helps your hair grow faster. You can read more about the same, here.

Always use the double boiler method instead of microwaving or placing oil directly on a flame to preserve the oil’s integrity.

Hot Oil Treatment Benefits You’ll Love

As I already mentioned there are multiple benefits of hot oil treatments for hair. You name your hair problem and there might be just the right oil in Ayurveda that might help you deal with them.

Nourishes Dry Hair And Scalp

If you have dry hair that doesn’t feel nourished no matter how many deep conditioning hair masks or hair spa treatments you might undergo, then try hot oiling treatment. Oils have the power to go deep within your hair shafts and nourish them from the inside. And when you opt for warming your hair oil using the double boiler method it helps to open up the cuticles for better penetration of hair oil into your hair shafts. For best results, to moisturize extremely dry hair, opt for a combination of penetrating and sealing oils.

Controls Dandruff And Soothes Scalp

If you have an itchy scalp, dandruff, or minor scalp infections, using neem oil, tea tree essential oil, or a hair mask of coconut oil with a couple of camphor tablets for your hot oil treatment can soothe your scalp in just one use. 

Repairs Hair Damage

If you have dull and damaged hair that just appears lifeless, a few rounds of hot oil treatment can be game-changing. Antioxidant-rich oils like argan and olive oil can help repair damage from heat, coloring, and environmental stress.

Speeds Up Hair Growth

When I was on my hair growth journey, I made hot oil treatment an integral part of my hair care routine. Incorporating hair oils for thicker hair growth that are backed by multiple scientific studies are an effective first step to faster hair growth. Warmed oils boost circulation. Rosemary, castor, and fenugreek oils are especially known for encouraging growth.

Helps Control Hair Fall

There are a lot of scientific studies done that prove that hair oils are very effective at controlling hair loss. There was a study where rosemary essential oil was proved equally effective as minoxidil to combat hair loss and regrow new hair.

Regular use = fewer strands on your pillow.

Prevents Split Ends And Tangles

Our hair especially the ends deal with a lot of wear and tear daily. Plus, not everyone’s protective natural hair oils from the scalp reach their hair end. Not unless you regularly use a good leave-in or deep conditioning hair mask or incorporate a wooden comb in your routine or best of all the hot oil treatment.

If you are someone who is dealing with split ends often then applying warm oil to your hair ends that penetrates deep within your hair shafts might just do the trick. Applying warm oil to the ends helps reduce friction and keep strands smooth, especially when using sealing oils like jojoba or argan.

Helps With Hair Regrowth

If you’re dealing with thinning or balding patches, consistency is key. Hot oiling boosts regrowth when paired with scalp massage. I was going through a bad phase and dealt with severe hair loss. And here is how hot oil treatment helped me control my hair fall and regrow my lost hair.

Promotes Better Hair Elasticity

Hair elasticity is one of the most important aspects of healthy hair. It’s the ability of your hair to which you can stretch it. Hot oil treatment helps improve hair elasticity and in turn, rewards you with healthier hair. 

Darkens Grey Hair Naturally (optional)

This is only for some of my readers who have naturally jet-black hair or dark-colored hair and are dealing with premature gray hair. Incorporating hibiscus hair oil, amla hair oil, or this homemade hair oil to cover grey hair will help you achieve darker hair over time. Oils like hibiscus, amla, and curry leaf oil are known to restore pigment and delay graying naturally over time.

Choosing the Best Oil for Hot Oil Treatments

We live in a world where we have been spoilt with choices for the best hair oils. And choosing one for your hair can be confusing. Here are some key points to keep in mind for opting the best hair oil for your hair type and concern:

• Opt for cold-pressed hair oils as they retain the highest nutrients in the hair oils, unlike other hair oils that are extracted via heating your hair oils.
• Stay away from hair oils with a lot of preservatives, mineral oils, or added fragrances as these ingredients might trigger your concerns more.
• Buy hair oils with a combination of high-quality hair oils in their purest form.
• Invest in a hair oil as per your hair type and concern.

To reap the maximum benefits of hot oil treatment, it is always recommended not to heat your oil directly in a microwave or direct flame. Try the double boiling method. It will lead to a lot of good nutrients getting either destroyed or evaporated.

What Is The Double Boiling Method?

The best way to heat your oil is to follow the double boiler method. The double boiler method is where you warm up the hair oil of your choice in a small bowl and place it in a bigger container with hot water. The heat from the hot water warms up the oil making it ideal to be used for hot oil treatments.

How to Warm Oil Using the Double Boiler Method

Step-by-Step:

1. Fill a wide saucepan with hot water.
2. Place a bowl of your chosen hair oil inside the water (the bowl should float).
3. Let the oil warm for 5 minutes.
4. Test temperature with your finger, it should be warm, not hot.

Pro Tip: Avoid microwaving or direct heating, this destroys vital nutrients.

That’s it! You have just successfully warmed up your oil using the double boiler method.

How to Do a Hot Oil Treatment (The Right Way)

1. Start by detangling your hair. Make sure there are no hair tangles or knots. 
2. Section your hair into 4 parts for even application
3. Apply the warm oil to scalp and hair lengths.
4. Massage your scalp for 5 minutes to boost blood flow. You can also try the inversion method for faster hair growth.
5. Cover your hair with a warm towel or shower cap
6. Leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour.
7. Shampoo, condition, and continue with your usual routine.

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For extra nourishment, use a hair steamer or wrap your head in a hot towel post-application.

When Should You Apply Hot Oil?

The best time? 30 minutes before shampooing. Some prefer overnight oiling, but be cautious if you have acne-prone skin or sensitive scalp.

Over To You

Hot oil treatments are one of the easiest and most effective ways to pamper your hair. Whether you’re dealing with hair fall, dryness, or simply want to boost your hair’s natural growth, this ritual is a game-changer.

Try it once and feel the difference. Your hair will thank you. Which oil do you swear by? Drop your favorites in the comments below.

Have a lovely day!