Hair Oiling causing problems after a few days

[sycamoreboutiqu]

Anyone else having less than stellar results with oils after a couple of days ?

I really was liking the look and feel of a couple of oils - Jojoba and Argan (used separately), the smoothing and shine were good. I have very thick, moderately wavy hair now at waist and the tangling issue is getting worse. I was hoping regular use of a smoothing oil would help with that. When I have a severe tangle I do oil that section to work out the knot prior to a wash (usually a CWC using African Black soap on the scalp only)

The problem comes a few days in (if I have worn my hair down for even a few hours much worse), the nice feeling just goes away.

I was at a point where I could wash once a week or every 5 days if there was a need and my hair still felt ok - but now that I have been using oils not so much.

I am careful to only put a few drops in the palm and spread evenly on the ends then some of the length. I have tried the dripping wet method of application and the results are always good. It is just a few days later not so good. It starts feeling like there is build-up. Rougher, tangly and just not happy in general.

I hate to have to clarify weekly, but maybe that is what will be required if I continue with the oils.

I have clarified and then done the SMT with great results, very soft and nice feel if a little too fluffy.

This week I am trying Camelina oil to see if that makes a difference, just a few drops at a time. I wonder if I should just stick to that initial application and not repeat it the following day/days afterwards.

Anyone else have issues using oils, but still want to use them ??

[annieangel149]

oil only works on my hair if i put it on as a pre wash treatment! i smother my hair in coconut oil and wash it out the next morning and it loves it! ^_^ but if i just apply a small amount as a leave in on my ends my hair gets all cranky and tangles, goes crunchy and just feels gross (and no i never put to much on) !!

you may need to experiment with different oils! my hair loves coconut and sweet almond oil :D

[celebriangel]

Your trouble could be that M hair sometimes likes heavier oils, and jojoba and argan are often what finehairs use. They also do not penetrate the hair: they work by protecting the hair from moisture loss.

EVOO and coconut oil in particular actually penetrate the hair shaft and nourish it. You might have better results with those for thick, M hair.

[Kherome]

Coconut oil is the only oil I've seen proof that it penetrates. Did you find a study showing EVOO does?

[jojo]

Yes both EVOO and coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft. If you try the search engine on here theres quite a bit of information relating to this. :)

[littlenvy]

It sounds to me like just some dust and stuff. Oil does attract rather more dust and dirt. If I wear my hair down for few days it gets dusty pretty fast too and feels coated... which it is.
Not sure what you can do about it other then just wear it up or not oil.

ETA:
Jojoba oil is pretty heavy oil and it does not penetrate. I'm sure it also has more attraction to dust than most oils. So changing it to Camelia oil just might work for you.

[Eolan]

Could it be buildup from something else? Do you also use cones?

[spidermom]

I have abandoned oiling clean hair precisely because it attracts dust and lint, which causes wicked tangling. Now I generously coconut oil my hair the night before I plan to wash it (CWC with diluted shampoo) and my results are much better.

[Mina17]

Yes both EVOO and coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft. If you try the search engine on here theres quite a bit of information relating to this. :)

I have read that avocado oil does as well.

[jojo]

^^ yeah i have somewhere too, its a lovely oil too

[sycamoreboutiqu]

>>Could it be buildup from something else? Do you also use cones?<<

No, cone free and happily at that. I never realized how much the cones added weight and stiffness to my hair, it feels so much better without it.

I think the dust explanation is probably the clue. It just attracted stuff to it and gummed it up as it seemed to get a little worse each day (and I was wearing it down) so that seems logical.

I think I will try the oil only when wearing it up and see if there is a difference. I figured it was a good thing to add just to hold in some moisture.

PS - I LOVE the SMT blend, did it right after a BS/Shampoo clairifying and it made my hair feel heavenly. Figured the oil might help keep that wonderful texture going - will have to try that combo and keep the exposure to dust and stuff to a minimum.

[sycamoreboutiqu]

RE: The heavier oils. Do the other types of oils penetrate completely then, leaving no residue on the surface (if used in small amounts of course) or would I probably still have the same issue with dust collecting while wearing it down ?

I really didn't like the way coconut oil feels on my hair - I have used it pre-shampoo but don't think I would want to put it on clean hair. Maybe just wearing it up is the final solution.