Indian head massage is an easy treatment to do at home. While you don’t need any special equipment or tools, you can use oils to enhance the experience.
In this guide, we will answer all your questions about using oils for Indian Head Massage and give you some recommendations of which ones to use.
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What is Indian Head Massage?
Indian head massage, or Champissage as it is sometimes called, is a treatment that includes massaging acupressure points on the head, neck, and shoulders, often using circular strokes. It is more than just an scalp massage. The practice is based on the Ayurvedic system of healing and aims to rebalance your body’s energies.
Make sure you understand both the benefits and risks of Indian Head Massage before deciding if the therapy is right for you.
Do You Need Oils to do an Indian Head Massage?
No, oils are optional for an Indian Head Massage. While you don’t “need” need to use any oils, there are benefits if you do use them. Oils can help to strengthen your hair, promote hair growth, and hydrate the scalp.
Oiling your scalp adds useful vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to your hair which helps to nourish your scalp, encourage growth, and preserve moisture levels. The moisture that oil provides to your scalp is enough to leave it hydrated and prevent dry scalp, flakes, and dandruff.
Be careful not to use too much oil because it can give your hair an overly-shiny, greasy, dirty look. If you go overboard with oil on your scalp it can cause build up. When you allow oil to soak in your scalp for too long without washing it out, there is the risk it can cause an infection.
It’s personal preference whether or not you use oils, but since the oils will be partially absorbed through the pores, it is important to use pure organic oil. You can mix your own carrier oils or buy one that is pre-made for Indian Head Massage.
What Carrier Oils Should You Use for Indian Head Massage?
Carrier oils are used to dilute the essential oils and help “carry” them into the skin. They can also provide benefits of their own. There are several different carrier oils that can be used for Indian Head Massage including:
- Coconut oil is one most moisturizing carrier oils. It has a sweet smell and can be helpful in the treatment of psoriasis.
- Castor oil is perfect for dry and damaged hair because it locks in moisture to make hair thicker, shinier, softer, and smoother. With its anti-fungal properties, it can also treat scalp infections by eliminating bacteria that can cause hair loss, dandruff, and infection.
- Sweet Almond oil is ideal for mature skin and/or dry hair. It can also reduce muscular aches and anxiety. If you have a nut allergy, you should not use almond oil.
- Sesame oil can be moisturizing to both the skin and hair. It is also thought to reduce signs of aging and prevent the graying of hair.
- Olive oil may relieve arthritis pain and tense muscles as it reduces swelling. The strong scent of this oil may not appeal to some people.
- Mustard oil is excellent for stimulating circulation because it generates heat. This can help to reduce pain and swelling. It does have a strong scent that turns some people off and is not recommended for sensitive skin.
Should You Use Essential Oils for Indian Head Massage?
If you are going to use an oil for you Indian Head Massage, it’s easy to add some essential oils to make it more beneficial. A few drops of lavender to help you relax or maybe some peppermint essential oil to help stimulate hair growth. (Get more ideas for the best essential oils for massage here.)
Many massage oils do already include essential oils. If you are using your own carrier oil, you can add your own customized essential oil blend for Indian Head Massage. Alternatively, you could use a diffuser.
Related: The Best Essential Oils for Back Pain
Should You Warm Up Oils for Indian Head Massage?
It’s optional. Most people think that warm oils feel better on the skin, but if you are tight on time you can use the oils right out of the bottle or just warm slightly by rubbing them in your hands before use.
Read more about how to warm oils for massage here.
Should You Wash Your Hair After Using Oils in an Indian Head Massage?
You want to give the scalp a chance to absorb the oils, so you shouldn’t wash your hair immediately after your head massage. It’s best to wait at least five minutes before washing the oils out. While it won’t hurt anything to leave the oil in a bit longer, it’s a good idea to get the oils away within a few hours.
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Recommended Oils for Indian Head Massage
While you can use pretty much any oil for Indian Head Massage, there are some options that are better than others. Let’s take a look at some of the best pre-made Indian Head massage oils.
Himani Navratna Oil
Navratna Hair Oil is a natural oil made from nine unique Ayurvedic herbs. This time-tested blend of Sesame oil, Menthol, Amla, Camphor, Thyme and Rosemary Oil is specially-formulated for massage and effective for both men and women.
You will feel a therapeutic cooling sensation when it touches your skin which will help to relieve stress, tension, fatigue and even headaches. It’s especially nourishing for hair and easily absorbed by massaging the scalp which can help in preventing dandruff and hair loss.
Click here to read more reviews and check the price.
WOW Onion Black Seed Hair Oil
This Black seed oil is formulated especially to tame frizzy, tangled hair, yet it does so much more. It is made from pure ingredients (Onion Black Seed Oil, Almond Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, and Coconut Oil) and packed with nutrients that work to keep hair strong, healthy, and beautiful.
Your hair will look shiny and well-conditioned. It will help to restore moisture in dry hair. Many of the anti-inflammatory properties found in onion black seed oil can also help soothe scalp conditions that cause inflammation, flakiness, and sensitivity.
Click here to read more reviews and check the price.
Life & Pursuits Organic Scalp Therapy Oil
This Bhringraj hair oil is a unique blend of cold-pressed organic oils infused with natural Ayurvedic herbs to improve hair beauty and health. It has organic Bhringraj Extract, organic Amla Extract, organic Hibiscus Extract, organic Onion Oil, organic Neem Extract, organic Methi Extract, organic Ginger Extract, and more!
There are no synthetic fragrance and colors. Every bottle goes through multiple rounds of testing before it is packed for sale. It meets the highest safety standards and is certified organic by USDA (USA), NATRUE (Europe), and India Organic (India).
It works like a natural conditioner to moisturize hair and make it shine. The oil contains the finest quality ayurvedic herbs to prevent hair loss and also promotes the growth of healthy hair. You will notice an improvement in your hair’s overall texture and volume. It keeps flakes at bay and treats irritation on the scalp to avert hair thinning and premature greying of hair.
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