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An In-depth Answer to the Question “Is Baby Oil Good for Your Hair?”
Let us discuss the question, “Is baby oil good for your hair?” and learn about the boons and banes of adding it to your hair care routine to enhance hair health.
When you are on a quest to find unconventional and cheaper solutions to hair care, you may wonder about the effectiveness of products beyond their intended use. This leads us to a very commonly asked question, “Is baby oil good for your hair?”. To understand if using baby oil for other purposes, such as moisturizing adult skin or as a potential hair care product, we accumulated several scientific facts.
Baby oil is an extremely mild mineral oil that is safe for the skin of babies and adults alike. However, its use for hair care is a topic of debate, because it is gentle and moisturizing but does not contain any additional ingredients to offer the same benefits as products specifically formulated for hair. So, let us delve into the hair care benefits baby oil may offer to unravel several facts and bust certain myths, for you to make an informed choice.
What is Baby Oil?
Baby oil is a mineral oil-based product that is commonly used for moisturizing and protecting the delicate skin of babies. Its primary ingredient is mineral oil, which is a clear, odorless oil that is a by-product of petroleum. Mineral oil is highly processed, refined, and purified until it is made safe for use on sensitive skin. Some baby oils may also contain added fragrances or other ingredients to enhance their appeal. Baby oil is usually used on skin surfaces to help prevent dryness and irritation, especially in newborns and infants owing to its mild and gentle formula, and its ability to lock in natural moisture. 
Can You Use Baby Oil on Your Hair?
Baby oil is formulated as a hydrating solution which may also act as a protective layer for your hair, creating a shield against external damages. It also assists in maintaining a healthy hair structure and prevents further deterioration, particularly for weaker or compromised hair types. This dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic mineral oil is also devoid of harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, colorants, and fragrances. It has been clinically tested to be harmless for infants, therefore, if you wish to apply it on your hair, you can confidently use it as it does not pose any health risk.
Benefits of Baby Oil for the Hair
Applying baby oil to your hair may have certain benefits which on regular application will offer visible differences. Some benefits of baby oil for hair are:
- Effectively Moisturizes: The main ingredient used in baby oils is mineral oil. Studies have shown that mineral oil is a highly effective emollient that can improve skin softness and barrier function. They do so by suppressing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This means that they salvage dry hair by helping it lock in moisture by creating a barrier. This further prevents loss of moisture from the hair strands, keeping them hydrated and nourished all day long.
- Soothes Itchy And Dry Scalp: A dry and itchy scalp is a result of excessive moisture loss from the skin surface which can be relieved by applying mineral oil. Mineral oil has been researched for its moisturizing effects. It has been observed under the microscope that it helps in the hydration and occlusion of the stratum corneum. Moreover, it has been proven massaging babies’ scalp with baby oil, results in resolving issues like cradle caps or Infantile seborrheic dermatitis. Baby oil, therefore, may help in maintaining a healthy scalp by preventing flaking and irritation of the outermost layer of the scalp surface and soothe dryness.
- Prevents Damage: The hair shaft is an extremely porous structure, which means it absorbs high amounts of water content. Wet hair allows better penetration of chemicals like bleaches for hair treatment, chlorine from a swimming pool, etc. which tends to make hair weaker. Moreover, frequent heating, pulling, and shaping of hair during styling also damage hair shafts (3). Baby oil, however, can help minimize this damage. This is because it has less low penetration power and only enters the outer layer of the hair strands, thus reducing the porosity of the structure and preventing the entry of excessive amounts of chemicals and also acts as a preventive layer during styling. Moreover, the lubricative properties of baby oil also have the potential to protect against hair breakage, naturally untangle the hair, and decrease frizziness offering you healthy hair growth.
- Adds Shine: Baby oil helps lock in the moisture and close the hair cuticles which offers the hair a nourished and smooth appearance. Moreover, applying baby oil to your hair will add a layer of lubrication which will keep the hair smooth, tangle-free, and frizz-free. Therefore, your hair may achieve a beautiful shine and smoothness after using baby oil.
- Helps in Styling Process: Baby oil may help prevent hair from heat damage caused during styling processes. Applying two to three drops of baby oil after washing will ensure protection from hair dryness and damage from blow drying and heat styling. However, there are not enough research studies done on a comprehensive comparison between baby oil and hair serums.
- May Help Get Rid of Lice: Baby oil has been a popular home remedy for getting rid of lice infestation in both young and adult hair. This is because applying a generous amount of mineral oil ensures that the oil layer covering head lice will lead to blockage of their respiratory spiracles, thus interfering with the organisms’ water and gas exchange. Moreover, mineral oils are also proven to interfere with lice's epicuticular wax layer. These effects on lice caused by mineral oil will finally result in their death.
Side Effects of Baby Oil for Hair
Baby oil may offer several benefits to your hair, but there are certain ill effects that one should keep in mind before indulging in excessive usage of baby oil for hair. Here are certain concerning effects of using baby oil:
- Buildup: Since mineral oil effectively penetrates the various layers of your hair, it mostly settles on its surface. Therefore, an excessive amount of baby oil may end up not only making your hair greasy but also clogging the cuticles and skin pores of the scalp by creating a buildup. This will further lead to oily hair and scalp irritations such as flaking and itching.
- May Irritate the Skin: Sometimes, excessive oil buildup may also show on your facial skin around the hairline. This may lead to acne or skin irritations due to clogging of your skin pores. Moreover, the oil trapped in the pores may act as a breeding ground for microorganisms too. Therefore, excessive usage of baby oil may also impact your skin appearance.
- Frequent Application May Result in Parched Hair: Clogged pores caused by oil buildup do not get enough space for absorbing essential minerals, hydration, or gaseous exchange. This slowly dulls and dehydrates your hair shafts. Therefore, overusing baby oil may have a reverse effect, resulting in dry and brittle hair.
Hence, one has to ensure that baby oil must be used in moderation to reap its essential benefits and avoid the side effects that may be caused mostly due to excessive oil buildup on the scalp.
How to Use Baby Oil for Hair?
You can use baby oil as a hair massaging, frizz control, or hair smoothening oil. Although you have to ensure that before applying it to your hair, conduct a patch test on a small area of your scalp to ensure you're not sensitive or allergic to it. You should also choose a high-quality, pure baby oil free from harmful additives or fragrances. To apply baby oil to your hair, you can follow the following steps:
Preparation: Gently warm the baby oil by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water. Avoid microwaving it, as it can become too hot and cause burns.
Application:
- Apply a small amount of warmed baby oil to your fingertips and gently massage it onto your scalp. This can help improve blood circulation and moisturize the scalp.
- If you want to apply the oil to the length of your hair, start by applying a small amount to the ends and gradually work your way up to avoid making the hair roots greasy.
- Allow the baby oil to sit on your scalp and hair for about 15-30 minutes. You can cover your hair with a shower cap or a towel to enhance its effectiveness.
Washing:
- In order to remove the oil from your hair, wash it thoroughly with a mild shampoo. You may consider shampooing more than once to make sure all traces of oil are gone.
- Follow up with a conditioner to keep your hair soft and manageable. Focus the conditioner on the lengths and ends of your hair rather than the scalp.
- You can use baby oil on hair as a deep conditioning treatment once a week or as needed. Avoid using it too frequently, as it can lead to excessive greasiness.
- Be cautious not to apply too much oil to your scalp, as it can lead to buildup and make your hair appear greasy. Focus on the ends and mid-lengths if you're concerned about this.
Other Uses: Baby oil can also be used to tame frizz and add shine to your hair by applying a small amount to your palms and running them through your hair before styling.
Conclusion:
The answer to “Is baby oil good for your hair?” is that it can serve as a temporary solution for adding moisture and shine to your hair. Baby oil can be applied by gently massaging warmed oil onto the scalp which will help promote blood circulation, offer a moisturization, and help prevent several scalp conditions. One may also choose to apply a small amount to the ends of the hair which can contribute to its softness and shine and help tame frizzy hair. However, it's crucial to apply only a small amount of oil to the scalp, as it can lead to greasiness and buildup. Using baby oil as an occasional deep conditioning treatment, about once in two weeks, can help maintain lustrous hair. It is important you remember that for long-term hair care solutions, exploring hair-specific oils such as coconut oil and treatments will be a more effective approach.
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