Do you still get a relaxing champi session from your Grandma, Mom or anyone else? I remember my father oiling my hair before school. Soon, that shifted to only overnight oiling, and now I’m on my own because his senile fingers can’t infuse the same spirit into my scalp. But I miss those times because back then, our biggest concern was oiling our hair to make it grow. Now, with climate change and every major inconvenience that is happening, just oiling your hair isn’t enough. You need to learn and follow proper hair care tips to protect your hair.

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Oiling your hair produces gorgeous and glossy hair when followed correctly. However, if you do it the other way around, it will lead to greasy hair and a grumpy mood. So, here are nine mistakes you should avoid while oiling your hair.

A guide to oiling your hair

1. Overnight oiling is a game over

Earlier, we used to oil our hair and leave it overnight to wash the next day. This is a major greasy flag. We thought doing this would moisturise and nourish our scalp, but unfortunately, it is a myth. Leaving oily hair overnight can clog the pores by blocking the hair follicles. It will further minimise the nourishment reaching your scalp. Moreover, your hair can attract dirt in the meantime. Until and unless an expert or an Ayurvedic professional has suggested some hair care tips, you should not leave an oily scalp for the whole night. The best way is to apply oil at least three to four hours before washing your hair.

2. Oiling oily hair

This is the most common mistake people with oily hair make. You think this ancient practice is for hair growth and nourishment. But knowing your hair type is equally important. If you already have oily hair, using more of it will create a host of germs and bacteria on your greasy scalp. Additionally, we already live with pollution (especially if you’re a Delhiite like me). Oiling your oily hair will attract dust and dirt. It equals smoking a cigarette in Delhi’s poor AQI.

3. Dandruff and oil aren’t meant to be together

Dandruff-oil ki jodi kabhi nai bethti. If you have a flaky scalp, oil shouldn’t be on your list of hair care tips. There’s only an enemies-to-enemies trope in the case of dandruff and oil, nothing else. Oiling your hair in such a situation would aggravate the fungal bacteria on your scalp. However, you can use hair masks or other products curated to treat dandruff. Aloe vera gel and neem-based hair masks can clean up your scalp pretty well.

4. Avoid if you have hair fall issues

We know how hair oiling works, right? It moisturises and nourishes the scalp, preventing hair fall. Um…not when you struggle with major hair fall. In such a case, oil massage only worsens the problem. A dry scalp is not the only cause of hair fall. You can use different hair masks to treat hair fall, and ingredients like yoghurt, banana, fenugreek seeds, egg, and so on can help combat hair fall issues.

Related: To Wash Or Not To Wash: How Often Should You Be Washing Your Hair In The Winter?

5. Don’t comb after oiling

When your hair is oily, you should never comb it. It can cause hair breakage as the hair is usually entangled and in a sensitive state. However, if you have applied hair conditioner, it is very beneficial to comb your hair, making it soft and supple after washing.

6. Don’t use a hair towel

We generally think covering our oily hair in a towel would prevent oil stains on our clothes and elsewhere. You should never follow this practice. Instead, you can use a cotton t-shirt to cover your oily scalp, as it will help in oil absorption.

7. Loosen your hairstyle

Making tight ponies and braids after oiling might look good and neat, but they overstretch your hair strands. It further weakens them as they easily separate from their roots. It can also lead to split ends and cause hair fall.

8. Excessive is not admissive

Using more oil doesn’t mean more nourishment. It equals excessively watering your plants and hoping for their survival. Putting more oil would lead to clogged hair roots, which will stagnate nourishment. Use the optimum amount till you have enough oil on your scalp.

9. Massage mindfully

Using more oil doesn’t mean more nourishment. It equals excessively watering your plants and hoping for their survival. Putting more oil would lead to clogged hair roots, which will stagnate nourishment. Use the optimum amount till you have enough oil on your scalp.

So, the next time you look for hair care tips, don’t just hoard several products. You must also focus on their proper usage and directions, especially when it comes to oiling your hair.

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Related: Washing Hair Without Shampoo: All You Need To Know About Co-Washing And Its Benefits