From Dull to Shiny Hair: Dermat Shares THIS Simple Oil Trick for Instant Gloss

Frizzy strands, lack of shine, and dryness can make even the best haircut feel lifeless. Additionally, regular heat styling, pollution, hard water, and chemical treatments can also strip hair of much-needed moisture. As a result, hair loses its shine and may look dull and brittle. While at-home remedies claim to provide instant shine through costly treatments, the simple and science-backed solution may already be sitting in your bathroom cabinet, and that is hair oil.

While you might be applying oil to your hair, according to our expert, Dr Rashmi Sriram, Dermatologist, Fortis Hospital, Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru, there is a small additional step when putting on hair oil that can make all the difference and convert dull hair into shiny, silky strands.

Simple Oil Trick for Instant Gloss

"Oiling of hair is an age-old practice, but the way it is done makes all the difference. Warm oil applied to slightly damp hair works like a moisture sealant. Its warmth allows better penetration into the scalp and cuticle, while dampness helps lock in hydration," shared Dr Sriram. Here's the secret process professionals swear by:

• Take a small amount of hair oil, such as coconut, almond, or argan oil, whichever suits your hair type.
• Warm it slightly. It should be lukewarm and not hot.
• Rather than applying this to dry hair, lightly mist the hair with water or a hydrating mist until it feels slightly damp.
• Massage the oil onto the scalp in light motions, smoothing it down the strands right to the ends.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing.

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This allows the oil to form a blocking layer on the cuticles, sealing in moisture. When combined with water, this product locks moisture inside individual strands, making the hair appear shiny and reflective after washing.

Why Does Warm Oil on Damp Hair Work Better Than Regular Oiling?

Most people apply oil to dry hair because they think it works well that way. On the contrary, Dr Sriram pointed out that hair absorbs products best when slightly hydrated. Here’s how it works:

• Warm oil spreads easily to coat each strand evenly.
• Cuticles are open in damp hair, allowing moisture to be better absorbed along with the oil.
• The oil seals the water inside the strands, making hair softer and smoother.
• It is a combination that does the work of a deep conditioner, without the chemicals.

Best Hair Oils for Instant Gloss

Different hair types respond better to specific oils. Here’s how you can determine which one will work the best for your hair, as per your hair concern:

• Frizzy and dry: Argan or macadamia oil
• Fine hair: Sweet almond oil (lighter texture)
• Thick or curly hair: Coconut oil or castor oil blend

According to Dr Sriram, cold-pressed oils are considered the most beneficial.

Add This Extra Step for Salon-Like Shine

After oiling and shampooing, apply a pea-sized amount of oil to towel-dried hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends that need attention. It doubles the gloss effect and keeps frizz at bay without weighing down your hair.

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Things to Avoid While Hair Oiling

Dr Sriram warned about common mistakes that make hair dull. These include:

• Leaving oil on overnight too often can attract dirt and clog pores.
• Using very hot oil can irritate the scalp.
• Over-washing after oiling strips natural moisture.

Bottomline

Warm oil, when applied to damp hair, provides maximum absorption, smoother texture, and instant reflective shine, making it an easy and inexpensive trick recommended by dermatologists.