In my recent post on protecting the hair while swimming, nzinga left this comment:
this blog entry is right on time! Thanks. I’m going to the D.R next month and was wondering what I’m going to do with my hair! However, what is an oil rinse? do you just pour oil on your hair and then rinse it out?
Oil rinsing is essentially washing your hair with oil before applying your conditioner. I have found that occasionally oil rinsing allows my hair to dentangle easier and it also softens it up. To oil rinse, simply do the following:
1. Wash or Rinse hair
2. Apply oil of choice from root to tip.
3. Rinse hair.
4. Apply conditioner and continue as you normally would.
My favorite oil to use for oil rinses is olive oil. It’s nice and thick and goes on easy. It’s way too heavy for me to use on my hair after washing, but perfect for my oil rinses. You can use any oil you like, though.
Here are two threads that have more information on oil rinsing. I think the LHCF thread was where I learned about it.
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i heart oil rinsing. it does soften the hair and make it feel really silky upon rinsing. i rarely have to use a moisturizer after oil rinsing. i find that pre-pooing with oil gives better definition than oil rinsing, but since i don’t wear my hair out it’s not that big of a deal.
Thanks! I will definitley try this!
I’ve been keeping my hair oiled (not necessarily rinsing it out) for most of this month, and even though I didn’t think oils worked in my hair before, I find that now it seems to be doing my hair some good. I just apply an oil/water mix throughout my hair in sections, comb/detangle, and either air dry or style into a bun/pony/what-have-you.
When I cowash my hair is much softer and hangs on to the moisture longer.
Hey there Ms Newly Natural
I’ve tried it!
Me likey!
I use my Virgin Coconut Castor Hair Oil to oil rinse.
Cheers for the great post.. my napptural hair loves you for it!
All the best
Anita
Thanks for visiting Anita!!
Is this method the same concept as a hot oil treatment? If not, what’s the difference?
Just A Girl, you don’t have to apply heat for an oil rinse. Also I think some people do hot oil treatments before shampooing or as the last thing they do to their hair before styling.
I need to know how often should the oil rinse be done or pre poo. Also, wouldn’t this create a lot of build up on the hair.
Would co washes create a lot a build up on the hair. And how often should one co wash?
darkborwnquit, this has never caused me an unusual amount of buildup. You should just do it as often as your hair needs it, some people may need it less than others. I usually do mine before each DC.
Cowashes can create buildup, especially if you’re using certain ingredients (in my experience). Again, how often you cowash is on an individual basis. People who have TWAs can often cowash everyday.
i have gotten SO MUCH information from this site! I love it. i am going to try oil rinsing.
I am a transitioner (4 months with no relaxer!) and I am on this site everyday getting tips! Thanks everyone for the info!