Can Natural Oils Damage Afro Hair?

August 5, 2021

The natural hair movement transformed the way people, with afro hair types, care for their hair. Relaxers are decreasing in popularity and consumers are shunning hair products with toxic and harsh chemicals. After decades of being sold pomades, creams, shampoos and conditioners which have harmful side effects, such as hair loss and even cancer (click here to find out more), people with afro hair are demanding more transparency regarding the ingredients in hair products. Therefore, it is not surprising that natural oils are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to hair cream conditioners and moisturisers.

There are a lot of benefits to be derived from using natural oils on afro hair. Oils such as black seed oil, jojoba oil, argon oil, alma oil, neem oil and Jamaican castor oil contain a range of nutrients and fatty acids which revitalize and restore dry, under-nourished or rough hair. Although oils such as Black Seed, Jojoba, Argon, Alma, Castor and Neem moisturise hair, enhancing bounce and shine, if they are not rinsed out after 20 to 30 minutes, they can have adverse side effects on the hair shafts.

Why You Should Rinse Out Oils After Use

1) If natural, nourishing and moisture infusing oils, such as Black Seed, Jojoba, Argon, Alma, Castor and Neem are not rinsed out after 20 to 30 minutes and left in the hair overnight, or over a period of days, the oil can make your hair a magnet for dirt and dust. The dirt and dust added to excess oil can result in hair follicles becoming blocked, which in turn, can cause scalp infections and hair loss conditions such as Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (click here to learn more).

oil left on hair overnight makes hair a magnet for dirt and dust

2) Applying heavy oils such as those mentioned above or cleansing oils such as peppermint or rosemary, directly to the scalp, without rinsing, can block sebaceous glands and cause scalp irritation, if overused (click here to learn more). When sebaceous glands become blocked, sebum (the natural lubricant and anti-bacterial agents produced by the body to protect the hair and scalp), are hindered from secreting on the scalp. The consequences of this can be scalp infection and dryness which can also cause hair breakage and hair loss.

oil blocking hair follicle causing hair breakage

3) Oil is composed of molecules very large, so they can overwhelm the hair shaft in terms of weight and blockage. Large oil molecules are unable to penetrate the hair shaft or fill the gaps caused by slightly raised hair cuticles. Because large oil molecules are unable to be absorbed by the hair shaft, they sit on the surface, making hair feel and look artificially oily and limp in appearance. To prevent hair from looking overly greasy and limp, it is advisable to warm the oils before application, thereby reducing the size of the molecules, enabling the hair shaft to absorb the oil and thereby nourishing the hair shaft with nutrients and fatty acids. Oil should then be rinsed after 15 to 30 minutes.

In summation, heavy moisturising oils should be used in a similar fashion to hair conditioners; always rinsed out after use to avoid harmful side effects.

If you are suffering from hair loss, it is important that you seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid permanent hair loss or damage to the scalp. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Energising Shampoo and Lotion contains the patented Si Matrix PF, which is a revolutionary treatment for hair loss that stimulates hair growth. Si Matrix PF is a fundamental nutrient for the scalp, guaranteeing a balance of good, healthy hair. Si Matrix PF is ideal for re-balancing and reactivating the scalp, revitalising hair follicles, restoring hair growth whilst stimulating and strengthening hair. Once the Lotion is applied to the scalp, a tingling sensation will happen as the lotion massages the scalp, increasing blood flow (peripheral micro circulation), improving the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair bulbs, whilst also revitalising hair follicles which reactivates hair growth. Click here for our reviews and click here to learn more about our product.

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YHVH, Foreigners will not drink the new wine for which I have laboured, without my permission.

Can Natural Oils Damage Afro Hair?

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