Sesame oil, known as til oil in Urdu, is a warming, deeply nourishing oil that conditions dry hair, soothes the scalp and helps keep hair looking strong and healthy. It is one of the oldest oils used in South Asian hair and body care, valued for its rich texture and its traditional cooling and calming effect on the scalp. This guide explains the benefits of sesame oil for hair, how to use it, and the sesame oil price in Pakistan. To see how it compares with other oils, read our complete guide to hair oils and best hair oil in Pakistan.
What is sesame oil (til oil)?
Sesame oil is pressed from sesame seeds, and in Pakistan it is a familiar household oil known as til oil. It has been used for centuries not just in cooking but in traditional hair and body care, where it is prized as a rich, conditioning oil. It contains vitamin E, healthy fats and natural antioxidants, all of which nourish the scalp and hair. Sesame oil has a warm, nutty aroma and a medium weight texture, heavier than almond but lighter than castor, which makes it a comfortable everyday treatment oil for most hair types.
Benefits of sesame oil for hair
Regular use of til oil offers a range of nourishing benefits that suit dry, tired hair especially well.
- Deeply conditions dry, rough and brittle hair.
- Nourishes the scalp with vitamin E and antioxidants.
- Traditionally used to soothe and cool an overheated scalp.
- Adds softness and a healthy shine to dull hair.
- Helps protect the hair from everyday dryness and damage.
If dryness is your main concern, our dedicated best oil for dry hair guide gives you a full routine built around nourishing oils like sesame.
Is sesame oil good for hair, and does it work?
Yes. Sesame oil is a genuinely nourishing conditioning oil, rich in vitamin E and healthy fatty acids that soften the hair and support a healthy scalp. Traditional systems of medicine have long used it for scalp massage and to keep hair strong and dark, and its antioxidant content is thought to help protect the hair. It will not force faster growth from the root, but by conditioning the hair and soothing the scalp it creates good conditions for healthy hair. You can browse related research through the United States National Library of Medicine at PubMed.
How to use sesame oil for hair
Sesame oil is used like other pre wash treatment oils, and warming it gently helps it absorb and feel soothing.
- Warm a small amount of sesame oil until it is comfortably warm.
- Massage it into the scalp with your fingertips for a few minutes.
- Work the rest through the lengths to the ends.
- Leave it on for one to two hours, or overnight for a deeper treatment.
- Wash out with a gentle shampoo. Use it once or twice a week.
Sesame oil for dry hair and a dry scalp
Dry, rough hair and a dry, flaky scalp are where sesame oil truly helps. Its medium rich texture coats and conditions the hair, smoothing roughness and adding softness, while a warm scalp massage moisturises the skin and eases flaking and tightness. Many people find sesame oil particularly soothing in dry weather or after too much sun and heat exposure. For very dry hair, a longer weekly treatment restores softness, and sesame blends nicely with a lighter oil like almond if you prefer a less heavy feel.
Sesame oil and premature greying
In traditional hair care, sesame oil has long been associated with keeping hair strong and dark, and it is often included in classic herbal oil blends used for this purpose. Its antioxidants are believed to support the scalp and hair, and regular massage keeps the hair well nourished and glossy, which makes the natural colour look richer. As with all natural oils, it cannot turn already grey hair dark again, but many people use it consistently as part of a routine aimed at keeping their natural colour looking its best for longer.
Sesame oil for different hair types
Dry and normal hair
Dry and normal hair benefits most from sesame oil, gaining softness, shine and a well conditioned feel from regular treatments.
Oily or fine hair
If your scalp is oily or your hair is fine, use a smaller amount, keep it mainly on the lengths and ends, and wash it out well so the hair does not feel heavy.
Thick and coarse hair
Thick and coarse hair handles sesame oil very well and enjoys its rich conditioning, which tames dryness and adds manageable shine.
Cold pressed versus refined sesame oil
For hair care, choose cold pressed sesame oil, which keeps more of its natural vitamin E and antioxidants than heavily refined oil. Good quality til oil has a warm, nutty smell and a golden colour. Toasted sesame oil used in cooking is darker and more strongly scented, so for hair care the lighter, cold pressed type is more pleasant. Store it tightly closed in a cool, dark place, and use it within a few months so it stays fresh.
Sesame oil price in Pakistan and where to buy
Sesame oil is affordable and easy to find in Pakistan, and cold pressed hair grade oil costs only a little more than the basic cooking type. To explore natural, ready made hair oils and blends with free delivery and cash on delivery, browse the Dalouk range on our best hair oil in Pakistan guide, or start with the popular Dalouk Onion Hair Oil.
Precautions and safety
Sesame oil is gentle and suits most people, but a few habits help. Do a patch test before the first use, keep the oil away from the eyes, and avoid leaving it on for days at a time. Anyone with a known sesame allergy should avoid it. Because it is a medium rich oil, using too much can leave a heavy feel, so start with a small amount. To learn more about the oil, see the sesame oil page on Wikipedia.
Can you mix sesame oil with other oils
Yes. Sesame oil blends well with many other oils. Mixing it with a lighter oil like almond makes it feel less heavy, while combining it with coconut creates a rich, deeply conditioning treatment. It also works as a carrier for a few drops of a growth active like rosemary. A traditional approach is to blend sesame with several herbal oils for an all in one nourishing treatment. Warm the blend gently, massage it in, and wash out as normal for a soothing, conditioning routine.
Signs your sesame oil routine is working
With regular use, the first thing most people notice is softer, smoother hair and a calmer, less dry scalp. Over several weeks the hair often looks glossier and healthier as it stays better conditioned and breaks less. Because sesame oil works mainly by nourishing and conditioning, the results are steady and reliable rather than dramatic, and they build the more consistently you include it in your weekly routine.
Common mistakes to avoid with sesame oil
- Using too much, which leaves the hair heavy and hard to wash out.
- Choosing dark toasted cooking oil instead of light cold pressed oil for hair.
- Only using it once and expecting lasting change rather than a regular habit.
- Skipping the patch test before the first use.
- Applying it cold and thick instead of warming it first so it spreads.
Setting realistic expectations with sesame oil
Sesame oil is a nourishing, conditioning and soothing oil, not an instant growth cure. It keeps the hair soft, strong and shiny, comforts a dry scalp, and is traditionally used to keep hair looking dark and healthy. It cannot regrow hair on a bald patch or dramatically speed up growth. Treated as a steady, regular part of a routine that also includes gentle washing and a balanced diet, til oil is a time honoured and dependable way to keep hair well conditioned and healthy looking.
Sesame oil compared with other conditioning oils
Among the nourishing conditioning oils, sesame, coconut and olive are the traditional trio, and each has its own strength. Sesame, or til oil, is a warm, medium rich oil valued for scalp soothing and everyday conditioning. Coconut is the best at soaking into the strand to prevent breakage, making it ideal for damaged hair. Olive is the heaviest and most deeply conditioning, best as an occasional rich mask for very dry, coarse hair. Many people keep sesame as a comforting regular treatment and reach for coconut or olive when their hair needs something lighter or richer. Choosing based on how dry your hair is helps you get the most from each of these classic oils.
Sesame oil through the seasons
Sesame oil is a comforting oil that adapts well to the seasons. In the cooler winter months, a warm til oil massage feels especially soothing and helps a dry, tight winter scalp, while its rich texture locks in the moisture that cold, dry air strips away. In summer, use a lighter hand and keep the oil mainly on the lengths, or blend it with a lighter oil so the scalp stays fresh in the heat. Adjusting the amount and warmth of the oil to the weather keeps your sesame routine pleasant and effective all year round.
A final word on sesame oil
Sesame oil has quietly served South Asian hair care for centuries, and it remains one of the most dependable nourishing oils you can use. It is affordable, easy to find and gentle enough for regular treatments, offering softness, shine and a soothed scalp. As with every hair oil, the real secret is simple consistency. A warm til oil massage once or twice a week, kept up over a couple of months and combined with good general hair care, is a time tested way to keep hair soft, strong and healthy looking.
Frequently asked questions
Is sesame oil good for hair
Yes. Sesame oil, or til oil, deeply conditions dry hair, nourishes the scalp with vitamin E and antioxidants, adds shine and is traditionally used to keep hair strong and dark.
What is til oil
Til is the Urdu word for sesame. Til oil is sesame oil, a traditional nourishing hair and body oil used across South Asia.
How do I use sesame oil for hair
Warm a small amount, massage it into the scalp and lengths, leave it for one to two hours or overnight, then wash out with a gentle shampoo. Use it once or twice a week.
Is sesame oil good for dry hair
Yes. Its medium rich, conditioning texture is well suited to dry, rough hair, smoothing roughness and adding softness and shine.
Can I use sesame oil every day
It is best used as a once or twice weekly treatment rather than daily, since it is a medium rich oil. A small amount on the ends can be used more often if your hair is very dry.
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