Hot oil treatments can add essential moisture and shine to curly hair. Curly hair is typically quite dry. Adding moisture to your curls can reduce frizz and make your hair more manageable. You can opt for a store-bought hot oil treatment or make your own hot oil treatment with olive oil or coconut oil.
Types
Oils such as olive oil, canola, coconut oil, or jojoba oil are emollients, according to NaturallyCurly.com. Each oil has its own properties, and you may find that one works better than another on your curly hair. Many purchased hot oil treatments use jojoba oil or a mixture of jojoba and another oil. You can create your own hot oil blend at home or use a single oil if it's what you have available. DailyGlow.com suggests a mixture of equal parts canola and olive oil.
Function
Use hot oil treatments to add moisture, softness and shine to your curls. Hot oil treatments use heat to allow the oil to penetrate the hair shaft. According to DailyGlow.com, hot oil treatments can help counteract the damage done by chemical treatments, styling and the environment. You may find hot oil treatments especially beneficial if you color or straighten your curly hair.
Time Frame
Dry hair benefits from weekly hot oil treatments. Hot oil treatments are most effective if left on the hair for at least 30 minutes, according to DailyGlow.com. You can opt to leave the oil on longer if desired, or even overnight. Allow additional time to prepare the oil, warm it, and then wash it out, shampooing and conditioning as you typically do.
Use
Warm the oil in the microwave or by placing a sealed container into a larger bowl of hot water. Work the warmed oil through your hair from the ends toward the roots. Comb it through with a wide-tooth comb for even distribution. Wrap your hair with plastic wrap or cover it with a plastic shower cap, then wrap it in a hot towel or sit under a hood-style hair dryer if one is available. Shampoo your hair to remove the oil.
Warning
Wash the oil from your hair in the sink, rather than the shower. The oils are apt to make your shower slippery and increase your risk of a fall. If you have difficulty removing all of the oil, you may find that applying dilute shampoo to dry hair helps, suggests WomenFitness.net.
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