When hair is looking — and feeling — dry and frizzy, we often reach for a hair mask or consider finally booking that appointment for a haircut. If strands are a bit parched but they don’t need a trim quite yet, a hot oil treatment can help turn tresses from frazzled into shiny, smooth strands.
Hot oil treatments shouldn’t be confused with hair oils, which are typically used as a styling product to reduce frizz and give ends a polished finish. Hot oil treatments go a step beyond that. They are intensive treatments that only need to be used once a week, so they can easily be incorporated into a Saturday spa day at home. Most hot oils help treat damage from coloring, heat styling and overprocessing. Plus, they help restore luster and minimize the appearance of straggly ends. There are also hot oil treatments that stimulate the scalp to boost hair growth.
Depending on the instructions, hot oil treatments can be applied to wet, damp or dry hair and some can be left on as little as a minute all the way up to overnight for a major repairing job. No matter the treatment, it’s essential to make sure the temperature is right. The heat helps boost the treatment’s efficacy, but there is a reason why they’re called hot oil treatments and not scalding hair treatments. Most formulas are heated up with hot water or using the microwave, so it’s essential to handle them properly. Too hot a treatment can cause irritation to hands, scalp and hair. The treatment should be pleasantly warm to the touch, but not so hot that it will burn. (We’re not deep-frying here.) Those concerned can look for self-heating formulas that magically heat up when they come in contact with your head.
Schedule some time for a pampering session and try out one of these nourishing hot oil treatments.
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Why You Should Be Adding a Hot Oil Treatment to Your Hair Routine
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Why You Should Be Adding a Hot Oil Treatment to Your Hair Routine #1
Use one of these intensive hot oil treatments once a week to help treat damage from coloring, heat styling, overprocessing and more.
Image: Imaxtree
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Lush
Yuge Hot Oil Treatment, $10.95 at Lush
Hair is going to be "yuge" with this hot oil treatment thanks to sea salt and lightweight jojoba oil. The uniquely packaged treatment comes in a cube attached to a wooden stick. Follow the diagram and dissolve the oil in freshly boiled water. Once it's cool enough to touch, apply the mixture to tresses for 20 minutes. The formula hydrates without weighing down hair. The result is voluminous, healthy-looking strands.
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Queen Helene
Jojoba Hot Oil Treatment, $1.99 at Sally Beauty
Jojoba oil has always been an ultra nourishing oil and now it's getting more attention than ever. This affordable treatment puts the ingredient front and center. Warm up the package in a glass of hot water, then apply the product to freshly shampooed, towel-dried locks. The multitasker strengthens, adds luster, soothes the scalp and manages damage caused by heat styling and overprocessing.
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St. Tropica
Organic Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask With Biotin + Superfoods, $3.99 at Ulta
Superfoods aren't just for smoothies and skin. They can also help us have good hair days every day. This mask is formulated with virgin coconut oil, green tea and hibiscus to repair and strengthen hair from the inside out. The hot oil treatment can be warmed up in the microwave or using a kettle. Both methods are easy, but just be careful the mixture isn't too hot before applying to locks.
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Alberto VO5
Hot Oil Weekly Intense Conditioning Treatment, $3.99 at Walgreens
This is one of the OG hot oil treatments for hair. Simply heat one of the ampoules in hot water. Once it's warmed up (read: not scalding), wet hair, then apply the treatment to tresses. The vitamin- and protein-rich formula helps soften, strengthen and boost shine. Plus, it only needs to be left on for a minute. When time is up, rinse locks, then shampoo and style as usual.
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Okay
Black Jamaican Castor Oil Hot Oil Treatment, $7.56 at Walmart
Castor oil is a favorite oil thanks to the way it smooths hair and helps stimulate the scalp for hair growth. Once the oil is heated up, apply it to damp hair from the roots to scalp until strands are thoroughly saturated. For a quick treatment, leave on for 15 to 30 minutes; for a full treatment, leave on for 45 to 60 minutes. Those with hair in need of some serious TLC can leave it on overnight. Just remember to use a shower cap to prevent the oil from getting on pillows.
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L'Oréal Paris
Hair Expertise OleoTherapy Self-Heating Hot Oil Intense Repair Treatment, $5.47 at Walmart
Worried about getting the temperature of a hot oil treatment just right? This one takes care of everything. After shampooing and conditioning, apply one of the individually packaged ampoules to wet hair. Upon contact, it magically starts to heat up. The blend of flower oils nourishes dry, damaged hair without making it feel greasy or weighed down. FYI: The hot oil treatment only needs to be left on for one to five minutes.
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African Royale
Hot Six Oil, $4.89 at Sally Beauty
This oil is hot stuff and it's not just because of the pleasant warming feel of the treatment. It contains a blend of hydrating oils, including sweet almond oil, castor oil, olive oil and sesame oil. And it does the job of six different products. Besides functioning as a hot oil treatment, it moisturizes the body, nails, hair, scalp and you can even pour some in the bath. Not bad for a product that costs under $5.
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YUNI
HOT HEAD Microveil Hair Treatment, $25 at Sephora
Concerned about that hot oil treatment getting a bit too hot? Try this spray-on treatment. It's a body heat-activated leave-in treatment that's rich in kukui and argan oils. It's ideally applied while working out, but it would still work while you're wrapped up in a blanket Netflix and chilling. Just spritz it on, twist hair up and go about your business.
