How to Do a Hot Oil Treatment for Hair at Home

Step 1: Prepare Your Hot Oil for Hair

Consider your hair type and the specific issues you want to address. Coconut oil is most suitable for brittle hair, while those with oily scalps or fine hair should opt for lighter alternatives like argan and jojoba oils. You can also mix different oils to reap multiple benefits in one application. However, be cautious with essential oils like rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree. These are too potent and must be diluted with carrier oils to prevent adverse reactions.

To warm up your oil blend, create a makeshift double boiler. Drop three to four teaspoons of your oil blend in a heat-safe bowl and immerse it inside a larger bowl filled with hot water. This heating method helps keep all the nutrients of the oil intact. 

Avocado and hemp seed are some examples of carrier oils that are also good for hair.

Step 2: Wash Your Hair

While waiting for your hot oil treatment to reach its ideal temperature, shampoo your tresses in the shower. Having a clean canvas, free from any product residues, paves the way for better absorption. This, in turn, allows the nourishing and conditioning properties of the hot oil to work their magic more effectively, leaving your strands softer and stronger.

A clarifying shampoo works best in removing product buildup on your scalp.

Step 3: Check the Temperature of Your Oil

Despite the name, your oil should be comfortably warm. If it’s too hot, it can burn your scalp and cause more damage to the hair shaft. On the other hand, room-temperature oil won’t be able to open the follicles, which limits the treatment's benefits.

Use the inside of your wrist or forearm to check the oil’s temperature. Let it cool down for a few more minutes if it’s still too hot. You can heat it up again in the double boiler setup if it’s not warm enough.

Overheating hair oil can destroy the vitamins and minerals inside.

Step 4: Apply the Hot Oil Treatment for Hair

Divide your hair into manageable sections. Then, dip your fingertips into the bowl of warm oil and gently massage your scalp using circular motions. This allows the oil to penetrate deeply and helps improve blood circulation.

Once you’ve distributed the oil throughout your scalp, work it down the length of your hair. Pay special attention to the tips since they can be the driest and most prone to breakage. You can detangle any knots with a wide-toothed comb that also helps spread the oil evenly.

Massage your scalp with your fingertips (not nails!) for at least five minutes.

Step 5: Cover Your Head

Ever wonder why your hairstylist would steam your hair during a keratin treatment? The reason is simple: trapping the heat helps raise the hair cuticles, creating an open pathway for the oil to seep in and deliver its nourishing benefits. After applying the hot oil, wear a shower cap and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. If you don’t have a shower cap, dampen a clean towel with warm water and wrap it around your head.

While waiting, take a moment to relax or do your chores.

Step 6: Rinse with Cold Water

After 30 minutes, take a cold shower and shampoo your hair twice to wash off any residue. The low temperature causes the raised hair cuticles to lay flat, sealing the moisture from the hot oil treatment for hair. Plus, it makes your hair twice as glossy!

The first round of shampoo breaks down the oil. The second round ensures your scalp is clean.

Step 7: Follow Up with a Hair Mask

Another way to boost the benefits of hot oil treatment for hair is by pampering your locks with a hair mask. It adds that extra layer of hydration your mane craves. Think of it as the grand finale of your at-home spa.

Apply Dove Advanced Keratin Treatment Mask on wet hair, concentrating on your strands and ends. It boasts a powerful mix of Nutri-Keratin Repair Actives, niacinamide, and vitamin complex that strengthens your hair and protects it against the damaging effects of daily styling.

You can also try Cream Silk Treatment Keratin Damage Repair as a deep conditioner. It’s formulated with salon-quality keratin and collagen dual serum to help repair damaged hair. In just one minute, your strands will feel smoother and more manageable.

For best results, do a hot oil treatment for hair once a week. Any more than that will cause build-up, which can lead to dandruff. If you experience redness or itchiness after the treatment, that's your sign to give your locks a breather.

Applying a hair mask after hot oil treatment helps lock in moisture and fortify your strands.