Should Oil Be Applied to Scalp or Hair? Get the Best Results

Understanding the Purpose of Hair Oil: What’s It Really For?
Let’s clear something up right away: not all hair oils are created equal. Some are designed to nourish the scalp, others to protect the strands. And yes, a lot depends on your hair type, your goals, and how dry (or oily) things already are up there.
A quick flashback—back in college, I’d slap coconut oil everywhere, thinking I was doing something magical. Turns out, my already oily scalp hated it. Flaky disaster. But when I focused on mid-lengths and ends? Bam. Smooth, shiny, happy hair.
When Should You Apply Oil to the Scalp?
Dry scalp or dandruff? Yep, oil can help
If your scalp feels tight, itchy, or flaky, a few drops of jojoba, castor, or argan oil massaged gently into the scalp can work wonders. Oils like these help moisturize, soothe irritation, and may even help balance sebum production.
That said, go easy. A heavy hand can clog pores or worsen buildup—especially if you’re not washing thoroughly afterward.
Hair growth support (maybe, but don’t expect miracles)
Some oils like rosemary oil and peppermint oil have shown mild effectiveness in stimulating circulation, which might support hair growth. Keyword: might. Massage them into the scalp (diluted!) and leave them for 20-30 minutes max before washing.
Don’t overdo it, or your head might end up smelling like an herbal bomb exploded.
When Should You Apply Oil to the Hair (Strands)?
To reduce frizz, boost shine and prevent breakage
Applying oil to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair helps smooth the cuticle, reduce split ends, and lock in moisture. Great for dry, color-treated, or heat-damaged hair.
Use lighter oils like argan or grapeseed if you’ve got fine hair
Go with heavier oils like coconut or olive if your hair is thick or coily
Just avoid the roots if you're not trying to look like you dipped your head in a fryer.
As a pre-shampoo treatment (aka oiling before washing)
This is a classic. Coat your hair in oil, let it sit for 1–2 hours (some people even sleep with it), then wash. It protects your strands from drying out during shampooing. Total game changer, especially if your shampoo is a bit too harsh.
How Much Oil Is Too Much?
Short answer? If it takes three shampoos to get it out, you overdid it.
For scalp: a few drops massaged in evenly
For hair: 1–2 pumps or coin-sized amount, depending on length/thickness
More is not always better—your hair shouldn't feel greasy, just a little nourished.
Key Takeaways: Scalp or Hair? Or Both?
Goal | Apply to Scalp? | Apply to Hair? |
---|---|---|
Moisturize dry scalp | ||
Stimulate hair growth | (lightly) | |
Reduce frizz and breakage | ||
Heat protection (pre-styling) | ||
Overall nourishment (mask) |
So, should oil be applied to scalp or hair? Honestly—it depends. But if you know what your hair needs and don’t go overboard, oil can be your best friend.
Just don’t be surprised if your grandma was right all along.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
---|---|---|
14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.