Hair oiling for men: hair fall, receding hairlines and what actually helps
Men in Pakistan notice hair fall and a receding hairline in their twenties. What causes it, what oiling can and can't do, and a five-minute weekly routine.
By the Saba Naturals team. Updated . 5 min read.
Most men in Pakistan grew up with their mother oiling their hair on Fridays, then stopped the day they started styling it with gel. Then, somewhere in their mid-twenties, the hairline starts creeping back and the shower drain gets busier. Here is an honest look at what is happening and what helps.
The two kinds of hair fall men get
Pattern hair loss is genetic and driven by hormones. It shows as a receding hairline at the temples, a thinning crown, or both. It is gradual and runs in families. No oil reverses it. Treatments exist (minoxidil, finasteride and others) and a dermatologist can tell you what fits your case.
Everyday hair fall and breakage comes from a dry, dusty scalp, hard water, harsh shampoos, helmets and caps worn on sweaty hair, and the gel-and-hard-water combination that makes hair brittle. This kind responds very well to a simple routine.
Most men have some of both. The routine below helps the second kind and keeps the scalp healthy for whatever treatment you choose for the first.
A five-minute weekly routine
- Oil on Friday or the weekend. Rub a small amount of PureRoots Coconut Herbal Oil into the scalp with your fingertips for five minutes. Neem and rosemary are the scalp herbs here; amla and bhringraj the traditional ones for hair fall.
- Leave it an hour, then wash. Overnight if you like. Wash with a mild shampoo such as PureRoots Herbal Shampoo. It lathers well and clears gel, sweat and dust without stripping.
- Wash after sweat. Gym, cricket, a motorbike ride in July. Sweat and dust left under a cap feed dandruff and itch.
- Go easy on gel and wax. Use less, and never on dirty hair. Wash it out the same day.
- Protect from the sun. A cap in the sun, taken off indoors.
What about beard oil?
The same coconut herbal oil works on the beard: a few drops rubbed in softens the hair and soothes the skin underneath. Wash with the herbal shampoo once or twice a week.
When to see a dermatologist
If your hairline is clearly receding, your crown is thinning, or you see patches, see a dermatologist early. Treatments for pattern hair loss work far better at keeping hair than regrowing it, so the earlier the better. Oiling supports your scalp alongside treatment; it is not a replacement for it.
Common questions
Does hair oil stop a receding hairline?
No. A receding hairline is usually genetic pattern hair loss, which needs a dermatologist's treatment. Oiling keeps the scalp healthy and reduces breakage alongside treatment.
How often should men oil their hair?
Once a week is enough for most men. Massage for five minutes, leave for an hour or overnight, and wash out with a mild shampoo.
This guide is general information about hair care, not medical advice. For sudden, heavy or patchy hair loss, or a scalp that is red, sore or not improving, please see a dermatologist.