Oiling Hair Before Washing It?
Why it Works (and How to Do It!)
Discovering a gentle solution for soft, silky and healthy hair using a blend of ancient Thai wisdom and modern science
"Why should I apply oils onto hair before showering when oil and water don't mix?"
This is a question we often receive about our all-natural hair care set, and we love answering this because the science behind it is quite interesting! In this article, we'll provide you two answers: one is short, sweet and to the point, and the second will be a longer and deeper dive into the science to explain why it's beneficial to oil hair before washing it, how it helps promote soft, smooth hydrated hair as well as other benefits such as reducing frizz, enhancing shine, and supporting the overall health of your hair.
The Short Answer
The short answer is that we are using the fact that oil and water do not mix to our advantage! Oiling your hair before washing it does the following: it counteracts the drying effects of shampoo (thus keeping your hair nice, soft and hydrated), it provides a protective barrier against harsh chemicals that may damage your strands, and it nourishes the hair and scalp. Different oils have different beneficial properties, and certain blends work together to keep your hair healthy and protected from dryness, frizz and breakage. We'll cover more of this in the next section.
The Long Answer
Now here's the fun part: the long answer! There are four main reasons why you should apply oils onto your hair even though oil and water does not mix:
The Interplay Between Our Hair, Scalp, and Oils: Our hair is naturally coated in an oil called "sebum" that is produced by glands located on our scalp. Sebum essentially acts as a multi-purpose shield for your hair and scalp: it locks in moisture and provides protection from the elements. However, environmental factors like pollution, UV rays and harsh hair products can strip away this protective layer, leaving our hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage. At the same time, an excessive amount of sebum is not healthy for hair as well and causes hair to become greasy which is why we wash it off. However, shampoos are specially designed to be very effective at stripping off sebum and leaving your strands exposed and unprotected (conditioners were originally created to artificially fill in the gap left by the tripped off sebum). Using oils on hair before washing ensures that enough oils will remain to naturally keep your hair healthy after washing.
How Oil's Water-Repelling Effects Help: By repelling water, oils act as a two-way shield: they prevent the majority of the water absorbed by your hair from escaping. At the same, oils prevents your hair from absorbing excessive amounts of water — and from absorbing anything else that happens to be in that water. If you wash your hair with shampoo or conditioner, for example, oils will help prevent your hair from absorbing the harsh chemicals that may be present in those hair products. This keeps your hair and scalp condition properly regulated without disrupting their natural ecosystem.
Water Regulation: Do note, however, that oils are not perfect shields — which is a good thing. They keep the majority of the water absorbed by your hair in, but still allow room for the right amount to leave. They keep the majority of the water you wash your hair with out, but still leave room for the right amount to penetrate through. When water is able to penetrate the hair shaft, it helps to flush out dirt, debris and excess oils that can clog up hair follicles and impede hair growth. This result is clean, soft, healthy and hydrated hair.
Nourishing Benefits: Oiling your hair before washing can also help to minimize breakage and split ends. As the oil penetrates the hair shaft, it helps to lubricate and strengthen the hair, making it less prone to breakage and split-ends.
And there you have it! This is why you should oil your hair before washing! But not just any oils will do: you need one that can penetrate your hair and protect your scalp.
We have two all-natural oils to recommend you:
Our Nourishing Hair Mask and our Revitalising Roots & Scalp Revival Treatment: both are harmonised blends of locally grown organic bergamot, coconut, peppermint, sesame seed and turmeric. Specially balanced in a calculated ratio to ensure it gently detoxifies, nourishes and repairs hair and the scalp environment so conditions are optimal for growing and maintaining naturally strong, thick hair. They also help rebalance the scalp’s pH back to healthy levels to repair damage done by chemical hair care products. It is perfect for dry, flaky, irritated scalps and dry, frizzy, thinning hair!
$83.00 $66.40
GET 15% OFF WITH CODE: THAI23
FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $100
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.9 | 300+ reviews
Join the Family!
Our (Hair) Ties Run Deep!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Noticed less breakage and my hair feels soft and hydrated! Smells great too! I'm obsessed!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I used to have dry hair but no more! I love how it tingles and massages the scalp. Look at my curls!"
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"The combination of these two really strengthens my hair and makes it look fuller. Super fantastic"
Nourishing Hair Mask Oil & Scalp Revival Treatment Set
$83.00
$66.40
Use Code "THAI23" at checkout for 15% off!
Free Express Shipping Available for orders over $100
All-natural herbal hair remedy inspired by traditional Thai wisdom
Keeps hair soft, silky and hydrated before and after washing
Starts promoting thicker hair growth and slows hair loss with natural sources of vitamin A, D, and E
Balanced pH of 6.0 specializes in repairing all types of chemical hair damage
Nurses damaged, dry and thinning hair back to health and strength
Sustains thicker, stronger, longer-lasting hair
Keeps hair healthy and beautiful by keeping your scalp clean with essential vitamins and minerals
Visible results in as soon as 2 weeks!
Formulated without:
Parabens, petroleum, phthalates, SLS, SLES, PEGS, TEA, DEA, silicones, or artificial dyes or fragrances.
$83.00
$66.40
Use Code "THAI23" at checkout for 15% off!
Free Express Shipping Available for orders over $100
All-natural herbal hair remedy inspired by traditional Thai wisdom
Keeps hair soft, silky and hydrated before and after washing
Starts promoting thicker hair growth and slows hair loss with natural sources of vitamin A, D, and E
Balanced pH of 6.0 specializes in repairing all types of chemical hair damage
Nurses damaged, dry and thinning hair back to health and strength
Sustains thicker, stronger, longer-lasting hair
Keeps hair healthy and beautiful by keeping your scalp clean with essential vitamins and minerals
Visible results in as soon as 2 weeks!
Formulated without:
Parabens, petroleum, phthalates, SLS, SLES, PEGS, TEA, DEA, silicones, or artificial dyes or fragrances.
Your dream hair in just a few easy steps!
Hair Mask
Recommended Usage
Normal & Oily hair: 1-2 times per week (day or night)
Dry hair: 2-3 times per week (day or night)
Step-by-step
Use as a 15 minute Pre-Wash Treatment
Apply a generous amount onto hair
Gently massage all over hair
Leave for at least 15 minutes
Rinse off with shampoo
Scalp Serum
Recommended Usage
Normal & Oily hair and scalp: 1-2 times per week
Dry hair and scalp: 2-3 times per week
Step-by-step
Apply before bedtime
Apply 1-2 drops to each section
Gently massage all over scalp and hair
Leave overnight and dream of softer hair
Wash off with shampoo in the morning and live the dream
Watch what others have to say!
$83.00 $66.40
GET 15% OFF WITH CODE: THAI23
FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $100
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.9 | 300+ reviews
Our Natural, Organically Sourced Ingredients
Bergamot Oil* Cleanses Your Scalp
Bergamot oil has been valued for its naturally powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fungal and antibacterial cleansing properties for generations.
Cleanses Scalp: strips away chemicals and bacteria that clogs and dries out hair roots.
Encourages blood flow: This ensures weak hair follicles are properly nourished with the nutrients to grow
Shields from Oxidative stress: an oxidation reaction that contributes to hair graying and hair loss.
Balanced Coconut and Sesame: Bergamot goes goes the extra mile by repairing hair damage by moisturizing and transitioning dull and lifeless hair into a shinier and livelier mane!
* Certified organic
** Organically grown
Coconut Oil** Nourishes Hair From the Inside Out
The beneficial properties of Coconut oil are boasted about by the shiny and thick-haired natives of tropical and coastal regions of the world!
Low Molecular Weight: Coconut Oil nourishes hair follicles from the inside that other oils can't reach!
Reduces Greying Hair: Prevents protein loss which helps hair keep its natural color while it grows
Moisturizing Coat: Prevents dry hair, further breakage and split ends while giving it a nice shine and luster.
Shielding Effect: Protects hair from heat sources, environmental damage, and water sources
Sesame Seed Oil* for Complete Scalp Health
Familiar throughout the world, Sesame seed oil’s nourishment comes from its vitamins, minerals, antibacterial,antiviral, and antioxidant properties.
Revitalizes Scalp’s Surface: Rids scalp of dryness, itchiness, flakiness, dandruff, head lice, and bacterial infections.
Protects hair shafts: Creates a barrier that protects from pollution, residue build-up, and loss of moisture.
Naturally, Sesame seed oil’s benefits shines greatest when working together with Bergamot and Coconut.
Turmeric Root Oil* Nourishes the Scalp to Promote Hair Growth
Turmeric is a key ingredient in Asia know for: preventing cancer, treating Alzheimer's disease, boosting immunity, and purifying the skin.
Contains Curcumin: Natural compound with powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
Scalp Cleansing: reduces redness from blemishes and fighting skin conditions such as eczema.
Scalp Stimulation: Curcumin absorbs vitamin D, which is needed to stimulate hair follicles to grow.
All in all, Turmeric works as an exfoliator and cleanser for hair and scalp. It keeps existing hair healthy while invigorating and revitalizing the scalp to promote hair growth!
Peppermint* To Soothe Scalp Conditions and Inflammations
You probably have used health products containing Peppermint before, but have you used it on your scalp?
Scalp Repair: Natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties soothe and repair the scalp.
Contains Menthol: Menthol is a natural vasoactive compound that prevents veins from narrowing, resulting smoother blood flow.
Prevents Hair Thinning: In the context of the scalp, menthol opens previously weakened veins that were unable to deliver the nutrients and oxygen hair follicles require to grow.
$83.00 $66.40
GET 15% OFF WITH CODE: THAI23
FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $100
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.9 | 300+ reviews
The Sudtana Method:
Why our products are 100% organic, sustainable and environmentally friendly!
FAST SHIPPING WITH DHL EXPRESS
(3-5 Days Only)
Here are the answers to a few of the most common questions we hear:
-
Q. What hair problems do the hair mask & scalp treatment help with?
Our formula helps with a range of hair problems such as dryness, thinning, frizziness, brittleness, shedding, and hair fall; and a range of scalp problems such as chemical burns, bacterial infections, flakiness, itchiness, dandruff, and lice. Sudtana's hair mask and scalp serum repairs them simultaneously: it nourishes and protects existing hair making it healthier, thicker and reducing hair fall while also nourishing and cleansing the scalp to ensure a clean and healthy environment for hair growth. So whether it be problems from your hair, our hair mask and scalp serum are natural solutions for you.
-
Q. How do I know this will work for me?
The underlying reasons for hair problems are oftentimes very personal, but nearly all of them have the same two-step solution. Whether the root of the issue stems from lifestyle, hormones or something in your environment, the first solution to resolving hair issues is to: 1. nurse existing hair stands back to being as healthy as possible to prevent further damage and 2. Increase and sustain hair growth. That's exactly what our hair mask and scalp serum does - they protect your existing hair while nourishing and cleansing your scalp to optimize conditions for young strands to grow thick, healthy and strong.
All the natural ingredients used in our products are all backed by research from top universities and they have helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world already.
-
Q. How many bottles should I order?
Like other treatments, extended use leads to exponentially positive results. So, we recommend at least 2 bottles of each to ensure continuity. Results start show after 2 weeks, but start becoming clearer after 1 month of regular use.
-
Q. How do you source your ingredients?
We take pride in how we source our ingredients. We visit each farmer individually and carefully observe their methods. We only source from those that practice organic farming practices, so no chemicals contaminate our products.
-
Q. How do I use it?
The hair mask is a pre-wash treatment. Pour a generous amount on to your hands and massage it on your hair and scalp. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off. The scalp serum is a leave on treatment. Part your hair into sections and drop the serum on to scalp. Gently massage into the scalp and leave on overnight before rinsing or washing off in the morning.
-
Q. How often should I use it?
For the hair mask, it is recommended to use 1-2 times per week if your hair is normal or oily; and 2-3 times per week if your hair is dry. For the scalp serum, it is recommended to use 1 time per week if your scalp is normal; and 2-3 times per week if your scalp is damaged.
-
Q. How long does a bottle last?
Depending on your hair type and how much hair you have, a bottle should last 1-1.5 months.
-
Q. Is it safe to use?
You can be sure that you are safe from harmful chemicals because the Sudtana Bergamot, Coconut and Sesame Oil Hair Mask and the Sudtana's Scalp Revival Treatment is handcrafted with all-natural ingredients grown in small Thai farms using organic and sustainable farming methods. No chemicals are used in raising these herbs, nor are any chemicals added during the formulation of our hair products.
-
Q. Where is it made?
Ethically sourced, extracted and handcrafted in Thailand
-
Q. Is this a replacement for any sort of medicine?
No. While this supports your health in a variety of ways, is does not treat any disease, and does not replace any medicines you might be taking. If your doctor currently has you on any treatment plan, don’t stop that plan unless he tells you.
-
Q. What does the EWG ingredient score mean?
EWG rates ingredients and products on its safety and hazard on human health. Scores are between 1 to 10. A score of 1 indicates low health hazard.
$83.00 $66.40
GET 15% OFF WITH CODE: THAI23
FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $100
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.9 | 300+ reviews
$83.00 $66.40
GET 15% OFF WITH CODE: THAI23
FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $100
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.9 | 300+ reviews