Hot oil treatment for hair: Everything you need to know

For those that aren’t in the know, let’s start from the beginning: what is a hot oil treatment for hair? Well, the name of this hair treatment pretty much explains what it is: basically, it’s a treatment for your hair that consists of applying warmed hair oil to your tresses (no kidding, right?). The treatment’s used to help restore lost moisture, or as a hair boost for dry and damaged manes.

We all know that hair oils at the best of times can help resolve a multitude of hair issues, like promoting healthier-looking hair, moisturising dry hair, or helping to seal damaged tresses. And heat, in many instances, intensifies processes or effects.

So, why is a hot oil treatment for hair good?

Well, it only makes sense that a hot oil treatment would be the best of both worlds hair-wise, as heat promotes the penetration of oil deep into the hair shaft to help nourish it.

And although hot oil treatments work a treat in dry, damaged, coloured, and chemically treated hair, they can also help to revive tresses that are lacking in shine and life. Typically, the treatment is used pre-shampoo to help limit the moisture lost during the washing process, so, if you’re worried that using oil in your hair might weigh down your locks, don’t be. Using the treatment pre-poo will limit any ‘heaviness’ on fine or thin hair.

So, now we know what it is, let’s talk about how to apply it to your mane. First, begin by heating your hair oil: place your hot oil tube into a cup of hot water (or pop it into your bath or under your shower!) and leave for around a minute until warmed. Next, wet your hair. We know it sounds counter intuitive, because oil and water don’t mix, but wetting your hair will raise your hair cuticles making it easier for the oil to be absorbed. After your hair is damp, carefully apply your warm hair oil to your hair, concentrating on your lengths. Leave the oil on your hair for up to a minute (no longer!), then shampoo and condition as normal. Easy, right?

Why not try one of our favourites: the VO5 Give Me Moisture Hot Oils and VO5 Nourish My Shine Hot Oils (£4.28 each*). The oil treatments come in individual 15ml pre-packaged tubes for easy use and are especially handy if you’re travelling (hello, holiday!). These hot oil treatments for hair are enriched with five essential oils (avocado, apricot, grape seed, jojoba and rosemary leaf oils). And the best part? They also remove 75% more chlorine than shampooing alone, as well as help to reduce breakage from brushing by up to 60%**.

Ready to try a hot oil treatment for hair? We’re willing to bet you won’t be disappointed.

*RRPs are Unilever suggested retail prices only, it is at the discretion of the individual retailers to set the actual price.

**Hot oil treatment vs. non-conditioning shampoo.