What Turkey Taught Me About Hair, Humility, and the Truth About Moisture

I was standing in Turkey, minding my business, when a woman stopped me.

She looked at me with curiosity and courage and asked how I define my curls.

The interesting part?

I was wearing a wig.

But that didn’t matter.

What she saw was possibility.

What she felt was permission to ask.

And I honored that.

There was a slight language barrier between us, but something deeper bridged the gap. Understanding doesn’t always come from words—it comes from intention. And she was intentional.

She told me that everyone keeps telling her she needs oil for her hair.

I paused.

Because this is where so many women are misled.

So right there, in that moment, I gave her a crash course:

Oil is not a moisturizer.

She immediately pulled her hair out of her bun—as if to say, show me, help me, I’m ready.

And I could see it.

Dryness.

Thirst.

Hair that had been coated… but not nourished.

I told her as quickly and clearly as I could:

“You don’t need more oil. You need moisture.”

She had reached her stop, so I couldn’t go deeper.

I couldn’t break down products, ingredients, or routines the way I normally would.

But she understood the assignment.

Find a moisturizer.

Not something to sit on top of the hair.

Something that actually goes into it.

And as she stepped off, I sat there thinking…

I admire that kind of bravery.

To ask a complete stranger for help.

To be open.

To be willing to learn.

That moment stayed with me.

Because it reminded me that education matters.

Truth matters.

And so many women are doing the best they can with the wrong information. And Turkey… there’s something about this place.

It’s where the Spirit of the Most High meets me.

Not in loud, dramatic ways.

But in quiet, divine encounters like that.

Moments that look small—but carry weight.

Let’s Talk Truth: Oil Is Not Moisture

Let me break this down clearly, because this is where most people get it wrong.

1. Oil Does NOT Moisturize the Hair

Oil does not add moisture to your hair.

It doesn’t hydrate.

It doesn’t penetrate in a way that replaces water.

Oil is a sealant.

That means:

• It locks in moisture (if moisture is already there)

• It adds shine

• It reduces friction

But if your hair is dry and you apply oil…

You are sealing in dryness.

2. Your Hair Needs Water-Based Moisture First

True moisture comes from:

• Water

• Water-based leave-ins

• Cream moisturizers

Look at your products:

If water isn’t one of the first ingredients, it’s not a true moisturizer.

Your routine should look like:

1. Hydrate (water or leave-in)

2. Moisturize (cream)

3. Seal (oil, if needed)

Not the other way around.

3. The Wrong Oils Can Make Scalp Conditions Worse

This is where it gets deeper—and where I want you to pay attention.

Not every scalp needs oil.

And in some cases, oil can actually make things worse.

If you’re dealing with:

• Dandruff

• Seborrheic dermatitis

• Fungal-related flaking

• Inflamed scalp

  
  

Certain oils can feed the problem.

Especially:

• Heavy oils

• Oils that sit on the scalp without absorption

• Oils applied to an already congested scalp

  
  

You may feel temporary relief… but long-term?

You’re creating buildup, imbalance, and irritation.

4. Moisture Heals. Oil Supports.

Moisture is what restores the hair.

Oil is what supports the moisture.

When you understand that difference, everything shifts:

• Your hair becomes softer

• Your curls become more defined

• Your scalp becomes healthier

Final Thought

That woman in Turkey didn’t need a full consultation.

She just needed truth.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes to change everything.

So if you’ve been told all your life to “just add oil”…

I want you to pause and ask yourself:

Is my hair actually hydrated—or just coated?

Because there’s a difference.

And once you understand it…

You move differently.

—

Pebbles Dockery

P.Dion Beauty®

Private Crown Restoration Practice