Many of us were brought up to believe greasing one’s scalp with “hair food”, such as Blue Magic, Sulfur 8 or any other petrolatum-based grease was essential for maintaining healthy hair. However, many in the natural hair community now argue that greasing your scalp is not essential. So is it? It depends…
Day-to-Day Management Generally, a clean and healthy scalp does not need to be greased to stay soft, pliable and well suited for hair growth. Sebum, the oil naturally produced by the scalp lubricates the scalp on an on-going basis. Importantly, unlike skin, the scalp is not constantly chaffing against clothing or rubbing against furniture so it doesn’t need to be moisturized as intensely or as regularly as skin does. Dry Scalps The above said, just as some people have drier skin than others, some scalps are more dry than others. The dryness of one’s scalp can be impacted by diet and weather. Whatever the case, if your scalp doesn’t seem to lubricate itself and perhaps gets all dry, ashy or dandruff-ridden then it certainly doesn’t hurt to oil it. If your scalp is dry, don’t use a thick or heavy grease; choose a light, nutrient-rich oil to rub into your scalp.
When In Plaits If your hair has just been plaited/braided then it might be useful to oil your scalp to prevent bumps and rashes from forming where the root has been pulled. I personally have a very sensitive scalp; even with minimal pulling my scalp gets sore and bumpy so I oil the scalp religiously for about a week after its been plaited using Neno Natural’s Hair Growth Stimulator when I have just had braids installed. After a week the new growth compensates for the pulling my scalp endured. Hair Growth Last but not least, because the scalp is so thin, you can promote the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the scalp to help hair grow by massaging it with an oil + essential oil blend. I have quite a few recipes that you can blend yourself. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu2772_DbH-LWFfnvzHn-uN6bw4LgX4_b What do you think about greasing the scalp? Is it essential for you? 
Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. You might also like: Working with Essential Oils - Understanding Dilution
Betty
13/5/2015 06:34:10 am
Thank you for this article....I have been growing my hair for two years this year April. And it was not retaining length. I listen to everyone that said not to oil hair often because of the scalp producing oil itself. I listened and it did not work for me..I should have listened to my hair.. I have been consistently oiling and moisturizing for a little over a month and my hair has grown by leaps and bounds....If I knew what I knew today my hair would have been a lot healthier and longer.I have to remember our hair is all unique....My hair loves oil regularly...
Heather Katsonga-Woodward
13/5/2015 06:59:14 am
Thank you! lol @ smiling more. Another baby?! I'm still recovering from this one.
Angela
15/5/2015 04:41:25 pm
I also oil my scalp. My mother use bergamont and hair food oils on me and my sisters hair. Relaxers have been my down fall. I wish I went natural before my hair started thinning from relaxers. I'm so done with relaxers and try to encourage others to do the same.
Phyllis
13/5/2015 07:21:55 am
What about moisturizers, conditioners etc, do they help with dry scalp? I just HATE the feel of oil and sometimes would rather avoid them.
Tangie
13/5/2015 10:58:47 am
I have been natural for 1 year and though it is hard I love it. Thanks for all the information you provide it helps and congrats on your baby. Enjoy 13/5/2015 11:47:23 am
It depends on my scalp. When I first returned natural I went on a castor oil challenge and it was required. As time went by I noticed my scalpscalp.acting funky so I stopped and now I oil my scalp only when it's beginning to itch or if it is dry.
MsKat
13/5/2015 03:50:00 pm
Oiling one's scalp is definitely a person by person decision. As a child, teen, young adult, even into my mid 40's, My scalp was oiled. I always had flaky patches that sometimes itched so bad I scratched them raw, along with flaky patches on my hairline, face, ears. Of course, we see flakes and think 'dry', so I always made sure my scalp was oiled. Then, one day I finally visited the right dermatologist; right off she was able to tell me I suffer from sebhorreic dermatitis. When I was a cosmetologist I learned this was once called 'oily dandruff', and is quite similar to cradle cap. Since I became unemployed shortly after diagnosis, I utilized that time to figure out what i needed to do. I cut my hair short, partly because I was suffering breakage and thinning from extreme stress, and wanted to cut down manipulation to give it a rest. I decided to try going without oil altogether for a while. I used a tiny bit of moisturizing conditioner on my hair only (it is fine and curly). Took about a month-the sebhorreic dermatitis symptoms disappeared completely. As my hair grew back, I put oil on the hair only, at least an inch from my scalp, now 2-plus inches from my scalp. Once in a while if it is very hot and I perspire a lot, any oils on my hair might melt and get diluted by perspiration, and run onto my scalp, Then I get a little itchy patch, but I can deal with a little one once in a while in place of the constant misery I experienced for about 40 years of my life. All of this to say, Experiment to find your balance and the best products for you.
Natalie
13/5/2015 09:04:27 pm
I have always oiled my scalp just to prevent it from itching. I would part my hair apply a light creme based oil, hair grease, even olive oil and then brush each row with a soft brush. This is my weekly routine after washing.
Janine
13/5/2015 09:13:35 pm
When I first started my natural journey, from reading all the literature and watching videos I stayed away from greasing my scalp. My hair would not grow and I pondered why. I have 4c hair. Then I thought maybe I needed to grease my scalp since my hair was definitely dry and after starting regressing my scalp my hair started to grow. My regime when washing is to prepoo with Tresemme conditioner for dry and brittle hair and coconut oil. I wash with Aunty Jackie shampoo and recondition with the Tressmme. When my hair is half dry I grease my scalp with a petroleum grease that contains oil. I then do the LOC method with any moisturizer or conditioner I have on hand, coconut oil and seal with Cocoa and Shea butter. I then twist or plait my hair. The grease really makes a difference.
morna ikosa
13/5/2015 09:24:14 pm
Love the blog.i have an itchy scalp.i tried the ideas above,and still looking for a long term solution.i use coconut oil,shea butter,jojoba but after a day my scalp is itching again
Dawn
13/5/2015 09:39:02 pm
I like to massage my scalp with an oil mix 1-2 times per week at minimum (depending on weather etc).
Tammy J Carpenter
21/5/2015 04:47:50 pm
Frankly, At first, I was not that much concern about my hair, I naturally had long hair. But after my delivery, my hair loss problem began and had lost almost 90% of my hair. It made me sad. I had done <a href=”http://chtc.ca/”> a hair loss treatment with the help of an expert</a>, And after the treatment my hair began to grow. It’s happy to see the growth of my hair. Now, I’m taking extra care to maintain my hair stronger. I used oil my scalp at least twice a month. Thank you for the post. Comments are closed.
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By Heather Katsonga-Woodward
I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx
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