Why does human hair absorb oil?

Answer 1

Sometimes people put oil in their hair in an effort to moisturize and protect the hair. There is also the common misconception that hair absorbs oil. While hair does not technically absorb the oil, the oil does coat the hair. The oil is unable to completely absorb into the hair. Instead, the oil coats the hair by latching onto cracks and holes in the hair shaft. The hair has a scaly surface which allows the oil to penetrate the hair as it slides down the hair and slips into those cracks. Think of it like wearing a coat. A coat will protect you, but you would not actually absorb the coat. Hair and oil work in a similar manner. The hair is protected by the oil but is not absorbed.

Answer 2

The prevalent methods to clean up oil spills rely on synthetic materials and dangerous chemicals. But there is a natural, environmentally sustainable alternative: human hair. Hair is hydrophobic and biosorbent, which means it repels water and can collect heavy metals and other contaminants, like oil.