Does oiling cause hair fall or dandruff? Myth vs fact
Oiling does not make hair fall out, but heavy oil left on a dandruff-prone scalp can make flaking worse. Here is what really causes shedding, and how to oil without trouble.
No, oiling does not cause hair fall. Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal, and the hairs that come out during a champi had mostly shed already. Dandruff is different: oil left for long on a flaky scalp can feed the yeast linked to dandruff, so if you have it, oil the lengths and keep scalp oiling short.
Two opposite fears keep many people from a ritual they otherwise enjoy: does oiling cause hair fall, and does it cause dandruff? Both start from real observations, a comb full of hair after a massage, flakes a day after oiling, but the explanations are not what most people think.
At a glance
- Shedding 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
- Hair that seems to fall after oiling is mostly hair that had already shed, freed by massage, combing and washing.
- Real causes of extra shedding include stress, illness with fever, childbirth, crash dieting and tight hairstyles.
- Malassezia, the yeast linked to dandruff, lives on most adults' scalps and feeds on natural scalp oils.
- On a dandruff-prone scalp, oil the lengths rather than the roots, keep it on for an hour or less and use a dandruff shampoo.
Does oiling cause hair fall?
No. Every hair grows for a few years, rests and then sheds, so at any moment some of your hairs are on their way out. The AAD puts normal shedding at 50 to 100 hairs a day. Shed hairs often stay tangled among the rest until something frees them, and a head massage, a comb through oiled hair and a long wash do exactly that. Oil also clumps strands together, so the same hairs look like more.
What does break or loosen hair
- Rough handling: vigorous rubbing with fingertips or nails, or tugging a comb through tangled, oily hair, can snap strands. Breakage leaves short pieces rather than whole hairs with a small white bulb at the root.
- Tight hairstyles: a tight plait or bun after oiling pulls on the roots, and the AAD lists hairstyles that pull on the hair as a cause of hair loss.
- Telogen effluvium: heavy shedding a few months after a high fever, surgery, childbirth, major stress, losing a lot of weight or stopping birth-control pills. It usually settles within six to nine months.
Does oiling hair cause dandruff?
Oil does not create dandruff, but it can feed it. Dandruff is linked to malassezia, a yeast that Mayo Clinic describes as living on the scalps of most adults and feeding on natural scalp oils. Some people's skin reacts to what the yeast leaves behind, and their scalp turns flaky and itchy. Research on dandruff suggests that certain fatty acids, such as oleic acid, can set off flaking in people who are prone to it.
So on a dandruff-prone scalp, a thick layer of oil left on overnight, several times a week, is more food for the yeast. On a healthy scalp that never flakes, oiling usually causes no such trouble.
Dry scalp or dandruff?
They look alike but behave differently. A dry scalp sheds small, white, powdery flakes, often in winter, and feels tight. Dandruff flakes tend to be larger, yellowish or greasy, and come with itching. Mayo Clinic lists both dry skin and irritated, oily skin among the causes. A little oil can comfort a dry scalp; dandruff usually does better with less.
Should you oil your hair if you have dandruff?
You can, with three changes. Oil the lengths and ends rather than rubbing it into the scalp, keep it on for 30 to 60 minutes rather than overnight, and wash with a dandruff shampoo.
The AAD suggests shampoos with zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, coal tar or sulphur, and alternating between shampoos with different active ingredients if one does not work. Some need 5 to 10 minutes on the scalp before rinsing. People with fine, straight or oily hair may wash daily and use the dandruff shampoo about twice a week; those with coarse, curly or coily hair may use it about once a week, on the scalp only.
There is no good evidence that any kitchen oil clears dandruff. Our honest look at kalonji oil for hair and scalp explains what that popular choice will and will not do.
Is oiling hair overnight okay?
For a healthy scalp, an occasional overnight oiling is fine. Lab studies have found that coconut oil can soak into the hair shaft and reduce the protein hair loses during washing, which is one reason the habit suits dry, long hair. Use an old cotton pillow cover, since oil stains.
Skip overnight oiling if you have dandruff, an itchy or red scalp, or small pimples along the hairline. Oil that runs onto the skin can block pores there, and an hour before washing is enough. When it is time to wash, see how to wash hair oil out without stripping your hair.
How often should you oil your hair?
Once or twice a week suits most people. Let your hair type and scalp decide the details.
| Hair and scalp | How often | How long | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry, coarse, curly or coily hair, healthy scalp | 1 to 2 times a week | 1 hour to overnight | Scalp and lengths |
| Fine, straight or oily hair | Once a week or less | 30 to 60 minutes | Mostly lengths and ends |
| Dandruff-prone scalp | Once a week at most | 30 to 60 minutes | Lengths and ends only |
| Red, sore, weeping or very itchy scalp | Pause oiling | None | See a dermatologist |
For a slow, gentle way to oil, follow our guide to champi, the warm-oil head massage, and if you are choosing an oil, see which oil for your hair.
When to see a dermatologist
- Sudden heavy shedding, or shedding that lasts beyond six to nine months.
- Bald patches, a widening parting or a receding hairline.
- A red, painful, weeping or crusted scalp, or thick scale.
- Dandruff that does not improve after a few weeks of dandruff shampoo.
A dermatologist can tell shedding from hair loss and check for conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis or a fungal infection of the scalp.
Oiling with our oils
If you want to keep the ritual, our Truly Cold Pressed coconut oil, black sesame oil and almond oil are pressed slowly in wooden ghaanis and left unrefined. Warm a little, work it through the lengths and wash it out with a gentle shampoo. If your scalp flakes, keep the oil on the ends and the session short.
The bottom line
Oiling does not make hair fall out; rough handling, tight styles and life events do. On a healthy scalp, enjoy it. On a dandruff-prone scalp, oil the lengths, keep it brief and lean on a dandruff shampoo.
Frequently asked questions
Can hair oil cause pimples on the forehead?
Yes, in some people. Oil that runs from the hairline onto the forehead, temples or back can block pores and cause small bumps. Keep oil off the hairline, tie your hair back while it is oiled, wash your face after washing your hair, and change pillow covers often.
Does coconut oil help dandruff?
There is no good evidence that coconut oil clears dandruff. It can loosen dry flakes for a while, which may look like an improvement, but malassezia feeds on scalp oils. If you have true dandruff, a dandruff shampoo is the proven option; keep coconut oil for the lengths of your hair.
Should I oil my hair before or after washing?
Before. A pre-wash oil, left on for 30 minutes to a few hours, softens hair and protects it during washing. A few drops on dry ends after washing is fine, but more than that leaves hair greasy and attracts dust. On a dandruff-prone scalp, oil only the lengths.
Is hot oil better for hair?
Warm, not hot. Oil warmed to about body temperature spreads easily and feels soothing, but hot oil can burn the scalp. Warm the bowl in a pan of hot water rather than on the flame, and test a few drops on your inner wrist before it touches your head.
Does oiling make hair grow faster?
There is no good evidence that oil speeds up growth from the root. Oiling can reduce friction and breakage along the lengths, so hair may keep more of its length over time. Growth itself depends on genes, health, nutrition and hormones, which is why sudden thinning deserves a doctor's look.
