Lately, the world has been shifting its focus to deep nourishment. While that’s a wonderful thing, some irrelevant trends have been going viral! One such weird idea may be using engine oil to get better hair.
As crazy as this sounds on the surface, there would be some who swear by it! So, the question really is: Should you apply engine oil to your hair and scalp? We are not going to beat around the bush, and so, here is the answer in simple words: Engine oil and grease do not make your hair healthy or grow fast. They will rather upset your hair.
However, you do not have to believe this without scientific evidence. Read on to find out why engine oil and hair don’t really make a good couple.
Table of Contents
How Engine Oil Damages Your Hair
While oiling does miracles for your hair texture, not all sorts of oil will have that effect.
If you were using coconut or mustard oil, yes, better hair would be guaranteed!
However, motor oil is filled with additives such as detergents, anti-foaming agents, anti-wear agents, and more. Not only are all of these a hazard to the environment, but they can also leave your hair feeling coarse and brittle.
Moreover, these agents would be difficult to wash off with just a few rounds of shampoo. You are in for rigorous and dehydrating clean-ups. Then again, you may need a professional to get all that grease off you! So, if you really want your hair to go through such experimentation, only then should you consider putting engine oil near your face.
Speaking of your face, we haven’t even discussed the repercussions it may have on your delicate-most organ, your skin. Engine oil is particularly greasy and harsh with its chemical texture. You are looking at unhealable allergies, itches, acne, and maybe even cancer since engine oil chemicals do have carcinogenic properties.
The absorption of oil for a long time will cause swelling and migraines. You will observe massive hair fall owing to clogged pores and an unhealthy scalp.
You need to be very clear that something that goes in your vehicle does not belong in your hair.
Let us examine this situation further.
What is Engine Oil All About
Engine oil comes in different grades: mineral, synthetic, and semi-synthetic. Let us now see how are these sub-types different from one another.
Mineral Engine Oil
Mineral oils happen to be the by-product of petroleum refining. As crude petroleum gets processed, it leaves out a few residues and the left-out mineral oil has rich carbon contents and lubricity, making it an ideal choice for your engine.
Earlier, the extraction and processing of such oils were more expensive than what they used to get sold for, however, as we progressed in the fields of technology, the process got cheaper. Engineers started experimenting with it. To further enhance the performance of engine oils, they added a huge amount of additives and agents to it.
While this is much-needed for your car, your hair would not appreciate this oil. It is these additives that will clog your pores to a point where your scalp will no longer be able to produce sebum, a body oil needed to keep your hair strong. When sebum doesn’t come in the picture, your hair gets weaker by the minute. You might end up getting pimples on your scalp too.
Semi-synthetic Engine Oil
Mineral oil is the most natural lubricant for vehicles. However, there are certain impurities, which degrade its efficiency, and for that purpose, you mix certain oxidation and combustion agents to enhance the fuel. The product is something that is natural but also has tints of artificial ingredients, and hence, the name: Semi-synthetic.
Usually, such oils contain mineral oils in small proportions, usually just 25-35%, while the rest is artificially-engineered catalytic agents.
Good for your vehicle, this oil has no favors to spare for your scalp because of all the harsh catalysts it contains. Prolonged contact with semi-synthetic engine oils might cause skin cancer.
Synthetic Engine Oil
As the name suggests, this oil is artificially synthesized in labs. Engineers work on delivering a 100% fuel performance with this specimen. Procured with high-power oxidants and low-friction lubricants, this oil is perhaps the best fit, in case you’re looking for an oil that keeps your vehicles flowing on the streets like butter.
Such oils will also deliver at colder temperatures, where most vehicles wouldn’t even start.
How is that for a cool flex! Pretty good, except you can’t bring it near your hair. The additives are glued to a point, where they will not come off without laser treatment. Needless to mention, this oil is the worst thing out there for human hair.
Irrespective of the variant, nearly all engine oils include greasy substances, which have the potential of ripping out your scalp but not come off still! There is base oil, which comes with every mineral oil. Depending upon the nature of the oil, the base oil proportions vary from 20-70%. That being said, even if the base oil is the majority, we must know it’s petroleum oil.
Unlike petroleum jelly, petroleum oil does not go with your skin. Now, various researchers have started objecting against the usage of petroleum jelly in lipsticks and lip balms too.
So, perhaps, it’s best if we stay away from petroleum-related by-products when it comes to our skincare and haircare.
However, what if you get in touch with it unknowingly!
There can be a situation where engine oil gets into your hair, and now, you need to get it off the soonest you can.
Read on to know how you can do that.
How to Clean Engine Oil Out of Hair
Let us assume the worst-case scenario : You somehow land up with such a dangerous chemical in your hair. This happens way too frequently with mechanics. Since they deal with vehicles, cans of engine oil are never too far.
However, letting it be and not getting the oil washed off is a far bigger mistake. Although such oils do not get off your skin that fast, we still need to act quickly and efficiently in such situations.
Let’s start digging into some interesting methods that can help you remove engine oil from your hair.
· Introduce vegetable oil to the mix:
Oil dissolves oil! Vegetable oils are nourishing and highly fluid. This will help dissolve the engine oil. However, make sure that you do not lose your patience because massaging the oil deep into your roots will require time.
As the engine oil gets dissolved, you would find a sticky dark-hued shiny residue being let off. Keep a cotton towel handy to wipe the grease.
We must repeat it here that you will have to be gentle and patient with your massage motions. Although the engine oil may sting after a few minutes, rushing under the shower and being aggressive with your hair strands is going to do more harm than good.
· Get some cornstarch:
Starch is a great oil absorbent, and cornstarch is widely used for domestic purposes. Finding a stack of cornstarch would not be so difficult. You should make a low-moisture paste and gently spread it over the affected hair strands. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse the starch off when you start noticing a black residue accumulating on the paste.
· Comb it out:
It’s only advised if the oil hasn’t reached the roots and just a few strands need to be cleaned. Get a wide-tooth wooden comb out and use your hands to gently stroke through your oiled hair. Do not undertake this procedure if the oil has penetrated deeper because in that case, the comb might end up tangling your hair.
Once the residue gets eliminated for the larger part, you can proceed with your regular hair care routine. Do note that you’ll feel a slight roughness, itch, and prolonged discomfort in your scalp for a week or so. If the annoyance persists, do reach out to your doctor.
How to Restore Healthy Hair if Engine Oil Ruins Them
Hair oil isn’t really a new concept. Civilizations as old as the Egyptian and the Indus valley civilizations emphasized the use of the right oils to enhance beauty. However, the key here is ‘the right oil’.
As we have learned, the harsh engine oil prototypes don’t go with the hair. However, if engine oil caused the harm, the damage can be repaired using suitable oils.
Haircare involves gentler oils.
Oiling reinforces hair follicles to advance hair development. Getting a monthly trim is also good for your hair. It will help you get rid of split-ends. After regular oiling and trimming, you will start noticing a visible difference.
Moreover, add Biotin to your routine. It is a good supplement for your hair, skin, and nails. It will help them grow faster, thicker, and shinier.
Considering the damage caused by the application of engine oil, you’ll have to work extra hard to maintain a healthy scalp. You will have to add a lot of green vegetables and proteins to your diet. You must not use any harsh chemical-based hair products. Discard ammonia, sulfate, and paraben loaded shampoos.
Moreover, while you’re at it, do include Vitamin-E rich food in your diet. Vitamin-E is your hair’s bestie! You could also enrich your hair oil with Vitamin-E capsules.
Do not use a plastic comb, since plastic combs develop a static charge and may lead to drier hair. You can trust a wooden comb to not deprive your hair of moisture. Similarly, discard your cotton towels and replace them with microfiber sheets. Cotton absorbs the moisture and leads to frizzy hair, while microfiber helps your hair retain it.
The Long-term Implications of Using Engine Oil on Scalp
It is not a good idea to use engine oil in your hair. It can cause serious damage and leave unwanted side effects. Some of the longer haul consequences of applying engine oil to your hair can be :
· Skin burns
· Vitamin and nutrient deficiency
· Pregnancy complications and may result in hemorrhagic disorder in the baby
· Pneumonia
· Respiratory disorders
· Digestive problems
· Melanoma, a fatal skin cancer disease.
Which Oils are Beneficial for Hair
Vegetable oils of the likes of coconut, sunflower, jojoba, olive, and amla have been known to help with hair. However, the one thing most people overlook is the application part.
If the oil has great properties, does that mean you use it in heavy volumes?
Let’s just say that too much of nothing is a good thing! When you apply too much hair oil onto your scalp, the scalp triggers its oil-secreting glands, which can, in turn, lead to acne, dandruff, and hair fall.
So, if you oil your hair every 3-4 days, you’ll have a thick and healthy mane. However, overdoing is never the right answer.
Final Words – Is Engine Oil Bad for Hair
It is evident from the above discussion that engine oil is not good for hair. The chemicals, additives, and agents in the engine oil can cause skin cancer. So, one has to maintain a no-touch policy with such brutal oils.
However, if it does get in your hair, you need to clean it as soon as possible. The longer it stays, the more it damages your hair. Engine oil is absorbed into the pores. It weakens the hair from the root.
To get healthier and shinier hair, you need to start using organic oils. Massage your scalp at least once weekly and discard harsh shampoos too.