While aroma combing may seem like a beauty fad straight out of a spa brochure, hair care enthusiasts worldwide are starting to adopt it. In addition to detangling hair, this method uses combs or brushes infused with essential oils to create a calming, aromatic experience. However, is this practice actually as helpful as it sounds, or might it even be counterproductive?
One the one hand, aromacombing essential oils are highly regarded for their calming and healing qualities. While you’re styling your hair, oils like peppermint or lavender may help lower stress and elevate your mood. Some people also think that these oils could improve the health of the scalp by promoting hair growth or minimizing dandruff.
Nonetheless, there are a few things to be aware of. Essential oils are powerful compounds that, if misused, can occasionally result in allergic reactions or skin irritation. This may not be the best method for you if you have sensitive skin or problems with your scalp. It’s important to keep in mind that not all oils are made equal; some may be diluted or combined with other substances, which may have an impact on their efficacy and safety.
Ultimately, the effectiveness or harmfulness of aromacombing is primarily dependent on personal experiences and the particular products used. Seeking advice from a hair care expert and testing out new treatments on a small area initially are always wise decisions. Aroma combing may be a fun addition to your hair care regimen if done correctly, but you should exercise caution and research beforehand.
| Aspect | Details |
| What it is | Aroma combing involves using a comb or brush along with essential oils to add fragrance and potentially benefits to the hair. |
| Benefits | May help relax the mind, add a pleasant scent to your hair, and promote a feeling of wellness. |
| Risks | Essential oils can be irritating to some people’s skin or scalp. Overuse can lead to buildup or allergic reactions. |
| Who should try it | People looking for a relaxing hair care routine and those who enjoy aromatherapy might find it beneficial. |
| Who should avoid it | Those with sensitive skin, allergies, or scalp conditions should be cautious or consult a dermatologist before trying it. |
The practice of "aroma combing," which entails brushing your hair while using scented oils, is a fad that prompts concerns about its actual advantages and possible drawbacks. On the one hand, it sounds like a spa treatment that will make you feel better and maybe even help your hair grow healthier. However, there are worries about whether the oils could irritate your scalp and hair over time or have other long-term effects. We’ll examine both arguments in this post to decide whether aroma combing is actually a good idea or if it should be avoided.
Essential oil.
Womensplay.net image
Starting in the 20s of the last century, with the development of perfume chemistry, which learned to imitate the aromas of concentrated volatile substances obtained from plants, the term "essential oils" began to be transferred to artificial or synthetic products similar to those obtained by extraction from plants. In English, in order to avoid the substitution of one concept for another, there are special designations. The term "Essential oils" is used to designate natural essential oils. Artificially created essential oils are called "Fragrance oils" ("Aromatic oils", that is, flavors). In Russian, unscrupulous sellers sometimes use one term for these products – "essential oils", which not only creates confusion, but can seriously harm health during aromatherapy practice. Artificially created "essential oils" usually have nothing in common with natural ones in chemical composition.
Liberty-rb.ru image
The type of your hair and scalp determines which essential oil is best for you. I am able to suggest the following:
Palmarosa, ylang-ylang, citrus (mandarin, orange), frankincense, chamomile, sandalwood, lavender, patchouli, rosewood, and myrrh are good oils for dry hair.
For oily hair: juniper, eucalyptus, juniper, ginger, cajeput, verbena, sage, cloves, mint, cedar, pine, geranium, lemon balm, tea tree, and lemons;
Ylang-ylang, cinnamon, cloves, bay, rosemary, blue chamomile, cassia, sandalwood, and clary sage are good for hair growth.
The following herbs can help prevent hair loss: ylang-ylang, pine, mint, cypress, verbena, petitgrain, cedar, coriander, bay, incense, and rose or tea tree;
Chamomile, sandalwood, rosewood, geranium, ylang-ylang, vetiver, orange, and lavender are effective against split ends.
Chamomile, geranium, lavender, tea tree, lemon balm, basil, rosemary, eucalyptus, and any citrus plant are anti-dandruff
Mint, rosemary, ginger, and cinnamon for tonality;
Ylang-ylang, chamomile, rose, citrus, lavender, and eucalyptus are calming scents.
Aphrodisiac oils include jasmine, nutmeg, grapefruit, patchouli, and ylang-ylang.
Furthermore take note of the fact that essential oils are entirely natural products, meaning that their concentration of active, beneficial elements is very high. These oils are combined with other (base) oils or used in small amounts. Another crucial factor is the oil’s actual quality. Avoid selecting less expensive or "pharmacy" options as they might not contain all of the essential oil. However, the oil’s high price does not ensure that it is authentic.
A regulation requiring all natural essential oils to bear the botanical name of the plant they are derived from has been implemented in an effort to differentiate natural oils from artificial flavors. For instance, if the essential oil’s name is "rosemary essential oil," it could indicate that the product is synthetic. The following is how natural rosemary essential oil should be labelled: Rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis), with the plant’s botanical name in brackets indicating its source.
Use a few droplets of pure oil for aromacombing. (If you go overboard, greasy hair and headaches are possible side effects).
Comb.
Here, there is only one requirement that must be met: the comb must be entirely natural. wooden, composed of either bone (horn) or natural bristles.
Picture of dic.academic.ru
Other kinds of combs are not advised since they may cause electrification or damage to the hair. Additionally, a metal or plastic comb may react chemically with the oil’s ingredients, leading to unanticipated outcomes.
Don’t forget that there are contraindications for every procedure of this kind.
Many researchers assert that there is currently no proof of aromatherapy’s therapeutic benefits and that using it has dubious benefits due to its numerous negative effects.
- individual intolerance;
- increased nervousness, epilepsy, a state of overexcitement;
- children under 12 years old;
- stomach problems (inflammation of the mucous membrane, ulcers);
- pregnancy;
- increased blood clotting, thrombophlebitis;
- sensitive scalp;
- simultaneous use of iron- and iodine-containing medications;
- problems with blood pressure;
- kidney disease;
- allergic rhinitis;
- lactation.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, using them undiluted can irritate the skin. As a result, they are typically diluted with jojoba, olive, and coconut oils for external use. Citrus peel oil (lime and lemon) can trigger a phototoxic reaction. Moreover, a lot of essential oils include chemical sensitizers, which means that after using them for a while, the skin becomes allergic to them. Certain oils are particularly harmful to animals, especially cats.
It is advised to carry out an allergy test. Apply the oil to a piece of cloth and take a few deep breaths to achieve this. Should you experience no unpleasant feelings (such as nausea, headache, etc.), you can move forward with the procedure. Additionally, it is advised to test the skin for allergic reactions. However, since essential oils are concentrated and can irritate skin, it is not advised to apply essential oils directly to the skin. I guess you should perform an allergy test and dilute the essential oil with the base oil (especially if you are allergic).
Avoid using excessive amounts of ether as this could damage your curls rather than help them. These are strong substances that, when taken in excess, can cause headaches, allergies, depression, and irritation.
Characteristics of the process:
- It is advisable to ventilate the room (by the way, and after the procedure too).
- You should not use perfume before/after.
I performed the process on dry hair in the evening. That’s why I went with orange essential oil. I’m a huge fan of citrus fruit scents! In order to prevent more dust or dirt from getting into the hair, the comb needs to be cleaned. Apply three to five drops of essential oil to the comb (based on the length and density of the hair) and continue.
I comb the length straight through at first, working my way up to the roots. Generally speaking, I don’t understand why people massage their scalps if oil shouldn’t be applied to the skin. I was consequently only able to brush the hair at its roots without coming into contact with the skin.
In addition, I enjoy combing my hair backwards:
Depending on the extent of the hair damage, 5 to 10 minutes is recommended for the procedure. You can comb your normal/intact hair once a week. It is advised to do almost daily, but courses, for severely damaged ones. I wouldn’t use Aroma as frequently.
Of course you want to know how the procedure turned out, right? Well, you have to tell me everything about yourself, including your expectations, mistakes, and reality.
Of course, I aromatized a little during the summer as well as during this marathon. In general, I am pleased with the outcome (even though it is not immediately apparent):
- Hair aroma (although, if I do aroma at night, why do I need this aroma?)
- Hair shine (I don’t really need it)
- Hair smoothness (well, that’s something)
- Hair elasticity (not bad).
Firstly, I made a mistake with the choice of a comb! I think this is the main disadvantage, because.. the wrong comb can also provoke hair breakage, and now I am desperately fighting for their quality!
Second, I gave my scalp a massage. No, I wasn’t annoyed, but you never know.
Thirdly, I’m not sure this manufacturer is the best, and my essential oil isn’t the best quality. (However, after looking at the bottles, I noticed that the name is spelled correctly on them):
Fourthly. While the scent gradually fills the space—which is a plus in theory—there is also a slight aftertaste (which is a drawback).
I should mention that I have always had allergies, but I never bothered to get tested for them. It’s fortunate that it didn’t come up.
What"s the bottom line?
With my increased knowledge of aroma combing, I will first make sure I’m ready for the process by purchasing a high-quality essential oil and a natural comb. Naturally, I’ll turn to scent once more, as it’s said to possess amazing qualities! Essentially, though, I’ll only do it for fun and for myself because… I still find a lot of its efficacy to be debatable.
Hair following a braid
I also acknowledge that the pictures were "staged" when I used my awful comb to aromatize my hair in order to give you a subtle effect.
Ladies, I always tell people to at least somewhat familiarize themselves with the procedure before attempting something new for their hair. Don’t depend on luck. Although it’s fortunate that I didn’t experience any particularly bad emotions, things could have gone the other way.
There are undoubtedly both supporters and detractors of the practice of aroma combing. One way that essential oils and combing together can create a calming, aromatic experience that many find relaxing is by combining the two. Essential oils that have a pleasant scent, like lavender or peppermint, may also have psychological or emotional benefits. Because of this, some people find that adding scent combing to their grooming routine is enjoyable.
But it’s crucial to proceed cautiously when aroma combing. The way that different people react to essential oils varies. The oils may make certain people more susceptible to allergic reactions or skin sensitivities. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the long-term effects of using essential oils in this way on a regular basis, so it’s best to use high-quality oils that are safe to apply topically and to pay attention to how your body reacts.
The conclusion regarding the pros and cons of aromacombing may ultimately depend on personal preference and specific health issues. If you’re interested in giving it a try, make sure you have no negative reactions by first doing a patch test. Then, observe how you feel during and after the procedure. You can minimize risks and still enjoy the potential benefits of aroma combing by following these precautions.
