1] Hair gets hydrated after oiling. There is shine and lustre added to hair. However there is no scientific proof of enhanced hair growth due to oil.

2] Olive oil is good for oily hair. Castor/coconut for dry hair, as they are heavier and more lubricating.

3] Daily before every shampoo one should oil hair for that extra shine.

4] The best way of applying hair oil is to heat it to lukewarm. Use cotton swab or finger tips in one direction. Make sections and oil the scalp. Then apply some oil to the lengths.

5] You can mix two types of oils such as olive + castor oil or vitamin E + olive oil + castor oil

6] Oil helps to seal the cuticle and hydrate the hair so it helps those with dry and brittle hair

7] For highlighted/permed /rebonded hair avoid oils for 2 weeks after treatment. You can use hair serum, which is a type of light non-sticky oil made from liquid paraffin.

8] For dandruff use only olive oil. Mix it with a part of an antiseptic such as savlon and apply on the scalp 10-15 minutes before shampooing.

9] Some ayurvedic oils claim to stop graying of hair but there is no scientific proof to support this.

10] Serums are light oils that can be left into the hair after shampooing to add shine and help detangling.

Sunita Motwani-Makhija is an Internationally qualified Beautician and Hair Consultant and is the Director of the Schnell Hans chain of Beauty Schools & Salons in Mumbai, that conducts Basic and Advanced courses and also the City & Guilds International Hairdressing Qualification. Sunita is the first Indian to have been conferred the prestigious Licentiateship in Hairdressing by City & Guilds, U.K. 
For any hair & beauty queries E-mail: schnellhans@rbcsgroup.com