Fact checkedExpert's opinion

Expert's opinion

The article is a subjective view on this topic written by writers specializing in medical writing.
It may reflect on a personal journey surrounding struggles with an illness or medical condition, involve product comparisons, diet considerations, or other health-related opinions.

Although the view is entirely that of the writer, it is based on academic experiences and scientific research they have conducted; it is fact-checked by a team of degreed medical experts, and validated by sources attached to the article.

The numbers in parenthesis (1,2,3) will take you to clickable links to related scientific papers.

Hot Oil Treatment For Hair 2024: Benefits & How To Do It Yourself

Teresa Mboci

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Olejarz, Nutritionist & Health Coach

hot oil treatment for hair
A hot oil treatment might be to achieve hair that appears more flexible, vibrant, and strong. Photo: Nghi Tran

We all want strong, luscious locks, but taking the time to care for our hair is something we don’t always make time for. Luckily, it could be a hot oil away from looking more flexible, vibrant, and strong by hot oil treatment for hair.

Technology has revolutionized research and the years of studying natural remedies are finally paying off. Hot oil hair treatments are no longer an unscientifically supported practice but rather a research-based natural remedy with health benefits. 

But, despite the hype surrounding a hot oil treatment for hair, does it live up to expectations? What do the studies say about the practice, and are there any risks?

Continue reading to learn more about the treatment, how to do it, and the best oils for hair growth.

Are Hot Oil Treatments Good For Your Hair?

Yes. Using all-natural hot oil treatments for hair can: 

  • Promote growth.
  • Enhance hair color and texture.
  • Avoid hair damage.
  • Moisturize the scalp and hair.
  • Reduce dandruff and itching on the scalp.
  • Boost blood circulation.
  • Feed the scalp.
  • Detangle hair.
  • Make pre-pooing easier.

Hot Oil Treatment For Hair: What Is It?

Hot oil treatments involve applying heated oil to the hair and scalp to enhance the oil’s effects. The process can improve hair growth, nutrient absorption, cuticle sealing, and protecting and strengthening hair strands. This all works to reduce dandruff and frizz, moisten the scalp, and manage split ends.

A hot oil hair treatment can be beneficial or harmful depending on its application. For example, cleaning the scalp before application removes contaminants and increases contact between the oil, the scalp, and the hair strands.

If you don’t wash first, however, it may contribute to bacteria accumulation in hair follicles.

Benefits Of Hot Oil Treatment

A hot oil hair treatment has the following advantages:

Promotes Hair Growth

Promotes Hair Growth
Hot oil therapies encourage hair growth. Photo: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

Hot oil treatments promote hair growth by focusing on critical factors such as dermal thickness, follicle depth, and follicle number.

Peppermint oil was found to be the most effective growth-promoting agent[1] in a study compared to jojoba, minoxidil, and saline. It was also shown to increase insulin-like growth factors promoting hair follicle growth stimulation.

Improves Color And Texture

Hot oil treatment for hair immediately enhances your hair’s appearance by adding shine. However, if done frequently over an extended period, it can also strengthen hair and improve texture.

Regular hot oil treatment allows nutrients in the oil to be absorbed better into the hair follicles to strengthen your hair.

Prevents Hair Damage

hot oil treatment for hair
Using hot oil treatment for your hair regularly can prevent hair damage. Photo: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Different oils protect hair differently thanks to their robust component composition[2] and unique properties.

For example, coconut oil significantly reduces protein loss[3] when used as a pre-wash or post-wash for damaged or undamaged hair. It penetrates the hair shaft[4] easily and nourishes the scalp.

Moisturizes The Hair And Scalp

Low-porosity hair that doesn’t absorb water and treatments easily can be revitalized with hot oil treatments by increasing moisture absorption and retention.

Harsh weather, harmful hair products, and poor hair care practices can all dehydrate hair. Breakage, split ends, and other hair damage are caused by dry hair or scalp.

Hot oil treatments can improve hair moisture retention while increasing strength and breakage resistance.

Moisturization is also an essential benefit of hot oil treatment for black hair,[5] which has a kinky texture.

Alleviates Dandruff And Scalp Itchiness

A regular DIY hot oil treatment routine can help to reduce dandruff and scalp itching or infections by balancing the scalp’s microorganisms.

A human-based study discovered that coconut oil can help fight dandruff by modulating the scalp microbiome.[6] The oil increases bacterial strains commonly found in healthier hair scalps not associated with dandruff. 

It was also discovered to inhibit fungal growth while enhancing healthy bacteria pathways.

Improves Blood Circulation

Blood circulation promotes nutrient and oxygen transport to the scalp, which is essential for hair health. Massaging the oil into your scalp is recommended in hot oil treatment for hair. It increases blood circulation in the scalp, ensuring that all parts receive adequate nourishment.

Nourishes The Scalp

Hot oil treatment for hair can help the scalp absorb plant-based nutrients and moisture better. The treatment’s oils are also nourishing and derived from organic herbs with proven hair benefits.  Each oil contains various ingredients, including minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Each also has its own set of scalp benefits, such as preventing infections and sealing the hair cuticle. Almond oil, for example, nourishes the scalp with double-bond fatty acids[2] that protect against structural damage caused by UV radiation.

Detangles Hair

Dry hair is difficult to detangle, but hot oil treatment can soften the hair, making the process easier. After washing your hair, apply hot oil treatments to help detangle it and keep it neat.

Facilitates Pre-Pooing

Pre-pooing is the preparation of hair for shampoo application.  Hot oil treatments hair before shampooing make your hair flexible and manageable. It also prevents the shampoo from removing your hair’s natural oils by sealing hair cuticles.

Potential Side Effects Of Hot Oil Treatment 

Natural oils are usually the most preferred hair treatments over artificial products thanks to their non-invasive nature.

A hot oil treatment is generally safe because it’s based on natural ingredients. However, individual types of oil may cause mild side effects in users who are allergic. It’s always best to research the oil’s composition and concentration before applying it. hot oil treatment for hair

To avoid side effects, perform a patch test by applying a small portion of preferred hot oil on the skin and monitor changes and reactions for at least 24 hours. It’s especially recommended when experimenting with a new type of oil.

You’ll also want to make sure your hair is clean beforehand to avoid any bacteria build-up during the hot oil treatments.

How To Do A Hot Oil Treatment For Hair At Home

Whether performing a DIY hot oil treatment for curly hair or as part of a daily care routine, the procedure for achieving different results is standard.

Start by selecting an appropriate oil type. If you haven’t already decided, you can experiment with coconut, olive, avocado, argan, jojoba, or almond oil.

Step 1: Wash Your Hair

Wash Your Hair
First, wash your hair first for hot oil treatment. Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Hair collects various environmental pollutants, including dust, pollen, and chemicals. Washing your hair removes these contaminants, preventing them from being absorbed by oil treatment.

For the best results, use a clarifying shampoo. Cleaning prepares your cuticles for oil absorption.

Step 2: Comb Your Hair

hot oil treatment for hair
Next, comb your hair thoroughly before the hot oil treatments. Photo: Sklo Studio/Shutterstock

After cleaning, pat your hair to remove excess moisture and section it. Then, roughly comb your hair to remove any knots that may interfere with the oil application.

Step 3: Heat The Oil

Heat the oil over a flame for 3 to 5 minutes or in the microwave for 20 seconds. A typical treatment should require about 4 tablespoons of oil. Alternatively, you may heat a water cap and submerge the oil for several minutes in a bottle. But be careful not to overheat the oil, as it can burn.

Also, run a patch test before launching the full application to ensure the temperature is safe.

Step 4: Apply The Oil

To improve absorption, apply the oil evenly to your scalp and gently massage it.

An applicator bottle with a thin tip can ensure that oil reaches every part of the scalp during oil for dry hair. When finished, cover your scalp with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes. You can also leave it overnight for a more thorough treatment.

Wrapping a hot towel around the shower cap can improve the results of hot oil treatment for hair significantly.

Step 5: Condition Your Hair

Rinse your hair and wash it with warm water and, if necessary, use a silicone-free conditioner. Hot water strips the hair of its natural oils, causing it to become dehydrated. After you’ve dried your hair, you can begin your hair care routine, such as applying conditioner.

Weekly hot oil treatments for hair benefits anyone looking to maintain proper growth, good hair health, or repair damaged hair. 

Best Hot Oil Treatment For Hair Growth

hot oil treatment for hair
Coconut oil is one of the best hot oil treatments for hair growth. <span>Photo: Halil ibrahim mescioglu/Shutterstock</span>

Decide on the exact benefits you want so you can choose which oil is best for you.

While some oils moisturize the hair, others, such as castor and grapeseed, are particularly effective at sealing cuticles and reducing frizz.

The best moisturizers are nourishing oils with high penetration, such as coconut and olive oil. The best absorption rates[7] are found in jojoba and almond oils.

Some of the best hot oil treatments[8] for hair growth include: 

  • Coconut oil.
  • Olive oil.
  • Argan oil.
  • Almond oil.
  • Castor oil.
  • Argan oil.
  • Fenugreek oil.
  • Amla oil.
  • Mustard oil.
  • Sesame oil.
  • Linseed oil.

The Takeaway

Hot oil hair treatments are a great way to moisturize and nourish your hair and scalp. You can do them weekly to strengthen your hair and avoid dry, damaged ends.

You can easily make them at home by deciding which oil would work best for your needs and adding an essential oil for extra benefits. Just wash your hair first, apply the warm oil, and leave it on for 30 minutes or more before rinsing and conditioning.

Since some people can be allergic to certain oils and ingredients, thoroughly research the products you want to use and conduct a patch test first.


+ 8 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. Ji Seon Oh, Park, M.S. and Young Ho Kim (2014). Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. [online] 30(4), pp.297–304. doi:https://doi.org/10.5487/tr.2014.30.4.297.
  2. Mysore, V. and Adhikary Arghya (2022). Hair oils: Indigenous knowledge revisited. [online] 14(3), pp.84–84. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_189_20.
  3. Gambhirsinh Sursinh Vala and Kapadiya, P.K. (2014). Medicinal Benefits of Coconut Oil (A Review paper). [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280574942_Medicinal_Benefits_of_Coconut_Oil_A_Review_paper?enrichId=rgreq-22f93a831740938f50d74bfb67db6632-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI4MDU3NDk0MjtBUzoyNTcyMzM0MjIzODUxNTNAMTQzODM0MDYzNTE0OA%3D%3D&el=1_x_2&_esc=publicationCoverPdf
  4. Agrawal, T., P. Sureka, Majumder, S. and Ritambhara, K.R. (2022). A method to measure oil penetration into hair and correlation to tensile strength. [online] 14(4), pp.128–128. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_122_20.
  5. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. (2017). Breaking the cycle of hair breakage: pearls for the management of acquired trichorrhexis nodosa. [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2016.1246704
  6. Saxena, R., Mittal, P., Cécile Clavaud, Dhakan, D.B., Roy, N., Breton, L., Misra, N. and Sharma, V. (2021). Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals. [online] 11(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86454-1.
  7. Lin, T.-K., Zhong, L. and Santiago, J.G. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. [online] 19(1), pp.70–70. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070.
  8. Pushpendra Kumar Jain, Das, D. and Jain, P. (2016). Evaluating Hair Growth Activity of Herbal Hair Oil. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301553424_Evaluating_Hair_Growth_Activity_of_Herbal_Hair_Oil
Teresa Mboci

Medically reviewed by:

Jennifer Olejarz

A dedicated pediatric nurse with a passion for nutrition and wellness, Teresa has made it her mission to empower families with the tools and knowledge they need to promote optimal health and well-being in their children. With over 8 years of experience in the healthcare field and a background in nutrition, Teresa brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing families today. In her role as a pediatric nurse, Teresa has seen firsthand the impact that diet and lifestyle can have on a child's health, and in her writing, she shares her expertise and insights with a broader audience. Whether through her books, articles, or speaking engagements, Teresa is committed to helping families navigate the complexities of pediatric health and wellness with confidence and compassion.

Medically reviewed by:

Jennifer Olejarz

Journal of Physical Education and Sport

Trusted Source

Go to source

SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

Trusted Source

Go to source

African Journals Online

Non-profit Platform for African Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

Informit

RMIT University Library

Trusted Source
Go to source

European Food Safety Authority

Science, Safe food, Sustainability

Trusted Source
Go to source

OrthoInfo

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Trusted Source
Go to source

American Academy of Family Physicians

Strengthen family physicians and the communities they care for

Trusted Source
Go to source

Agricultural Research Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Trusted Source
Go to source

The American Journal of Medicine

Official Journal of The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Lippincott Journals

Subsidiaries of Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute on Aging

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Translational Research

The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cell

An All-science Publisher

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of Translational Medicine

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

Federal Trade Commission

Protecting America's Consumers

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Human Genome Research Institute

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Food Production, Processing and Nutrition

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

BMC Gastroenterology

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

ACS Publications

A Division of The American Chemical Society

Trusted Source
Go to source

Annual Reviews

Independent, Non-profit Academic Publishing Company

Trusted Source
Go to source

PubChem

National Center for Biotechnology Information

National Library of Medicine
Go to source

PLOS Journals

Nonprofit Publisher of Open-access Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Thieme E-books & E-Journals

Peer-reviewed & Open Access Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Peer-reviewed International Journal Publishes

Trusted Source
Go to source

Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing Home

Chemical Science Journals, Books and Database

Trusted Source
Go to source

Frontiers

Publisher of Peer-reviewed Articles in Open Acess Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

De Gruyter

German Scholarly Publishing House

Trusted Source
Go to source

Hindawi

Open Access Research Journals & Papers

Trusted Source
Go to source

Oilseeds and Fats, Crops and Lipids

EDP Sciences

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cambridge Core

Cambridge University Press

Trusted Source
Go to source

FoodData Central

U.S. Department Of Agriculture

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of the American Heart Association

Peer-reviewed Open Access Scientific Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The Americans with Disabilities Act

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Organization of Food and Nutrition Professionals

tr
Go to source

Sage Journals

Database From Sage Publications

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute of Drug Abuse

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The ClinMed International Library

A Repository and an Open Access Publisher for Medical Research

Trusted Source
Go to source

The Royal Society Publishing

United Kingdom's National Academy of Sciences

Trusted Source
Go to source

APA PsycNet

Database From American Psychological Association

Trusted Source
Go to source

The Pharma Innovation Journal

Peer-reviewed And Refereed Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development

Peer-reviewed Bimonthly Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

British Pharmacological Society

Journals - Wiley Online Library

Trusted Source
Go to source

American Psychological Association

Scientific and Professional Organization of Psychologists

Trusted Source
Go to source

AAP Publications

Database From American Academy of Pediatrics

Trusted Source
Go to source

Karger Publishers

Academic Publisher of Scientific and Medical Journals and Books

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Database From Cambridge University

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute of Mental Health

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

MDPI

Publisher of Open Access Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Bulletin of the National Research Centre

Part of Springer Nature

Trusted Source
Go to source

The New England Journal of Medicine

Massachusetts Medical Society

Trusted Source
Go to source

Economic Research Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Trusted Source
Go to source

MedlinePlus

Database From National Library of Medicine

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

National Institute of Health

An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Trusted Source
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The BMJ

Weekly Peer-reviewed Medical Trade Journal

The British Medical Association
Go to source

The British Psychological Society

The British Psychological Society is a charity registered in England

Database From Wiley Online Library
Go to source

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

PubMed

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source

DailyMed

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source

Google Scholar

Go to source

Science.gov: USA.gov for Science

Government Science Portal

Go to source

ResearchGate

Social Network Service For Scientists

Find and share research
Go to source

American Heart Association

To be a rentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives

Go to source

BioMed Central

Research in progress

Go to source

JAMA Network

Home of JAMA and the Specialty Journals of the American Medical Association

Go to source

Springer Link

Database From Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Springer - International Publisher Science, Technology, Medicine
Go to source

ODS

Database from Office of Dietary Supplements

National Institutes of Health
Go to source

Federal Trade Commission

Bureaus of Consumer Protection, Competition and Economics
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database From U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Governmental Authority
Go to source

Oxford Academic Journals

Oxford University Press

Trusted Source
Go to source

Taylor & Francis Online

Peer-reviewed Journals

Academic Publishing Division of Informa PLC
Go to source

WHO

Database from World Health Organization

Go to source

Journal of Neurology

Peer-reviewed Medical Journal

American Academy of Neurology Journal
Go to source

ScienceDirect

Bibliographic Database of Scientific and Medical Publications

Dutch publisher Elsevier
Go to source

Wiley Online Library

American Multinational Publishing Company

Trusted Source
Go to source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. National Public Health Agency

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database from U.S. National Library of Medicine

U.S. Federal Government
Go to source

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Federal Agency

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

PubMed Central

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source
Feedback

Help us rate this article

Thank you for your feedback

Keep in touch to see our improvement