Many people use aloe vera for hair care. But does it really make your hair healthier and stronger? Yes! Aloe vera can solve many hair problems, from mending damaged hair to controlling frizz. It is generally accepted that it helps enhance hair health and growth. The ancient Greeks and Ayurveda practitioners claimed it to be beneficial for the hair (1). Despite the absence of sufficient empirical proof, aloe vera is commonly used in hair care products, DIY masks, and home treatments. Read this article to learn about how aloe vera improves your hair and how to integrate it into your hair care regimen. Keep scrolling! Show
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What Makes Aloe Vera Beneficial For Your Hair?Aloe vera has 75 potentially active constituents, including essential proteins and amino acids, saccharides, salicylic acid, proteolytic enzymes, antioxidants, saponins, minerals, and vitamins (1). The presence of all these compounds makes aloe vera beneficial for your hair health. Here is how aloe vera may keep your hair and scalp healthy. Aloe Vera Benefits For Your Hair
Shutterstock 1. May Calm An Itchy ScalpAnecdotal evidence and Ayurveda suggest the use of aloe vera to soothe an itchy scalp. Aloe vera gel or extracts can calm scalp conditions, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, scalp irritation, and eczema. It contains proteolytic enzymes and salicylic acid that dissolves excess dead skin cells to soothe the itchy scalp and reduce inflammation (1), (2), (3). 2. May Deep Clean Oily HairAloe vera contains saponin (1). Saponin is an effective cleaning agent that helps clean grease, and oil, and product buildup from the hair. Aloe vera has moisturizing properties, and it cleanses the hair without leaving it dry (2), (4). It makes the hair soft, shiny, and healthy. 3. May Strengthen And Repair The HairAloe vera is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. These nutrients are essential for healthy hair growth (2). The antioxidants in aloe vera protect the hair from free radical damage, helping repair damaged hair. Its moisturizing properties make it an effective conditioning agent to keep the hair strong and healthy. 4. May Promote Hair GrowthProponents of Ayurveda believe that aloe vera can treat baldness and prevent hair thinning. Although there is no scientific evidence, it is thought that aloe vera promotes hair growth by improving blood circulation that stimulates hair follicles. Aloe vera also has moisturizing properties (2). This may protect the hair shafts and prevent damage and hair breakage. If you want to use aloe vera on your hair, we have shared some home remedies. Check them out in the next section. How Do I Use Aloe Vera On My Hair?You can use aloe vera directly on normal or oily hair. However, it has mild astringent properties that can dry your hair. Hence, it is recommended to add natural oils or glycerin, especially if you have dry, brittle, or damaged hair. You can also try home remedies to keep your hair healthy. Home-made hair masks with simple ingredients are widely used to nourish the hair and keep it hydrated. Check out some popular home remedies in the next section. 1. Aloe Vera And Castor Oil Hair MaskCastor oil is said to promote hair growth and is a popular home remedy to prevent hair thinning. This mask can keep the hair moisturized and protected. You Will Need
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Aloe Vera Hair Mask For Dandruff
Shutterstock 1. Aloe Vera And ACV Hair Mask
Shutterstock This home remedy is widely used to treat dandruff. Apple cider vinegar is said to soothe the scalp and maintain the pH level. A shampoo containing 5% tea tree oil was found to be effective in minimizing dandruff (5). You Will Need
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2. Aloe Vera And Yogurt MaskYogurt contains Lactobacillus paracasei (6). Research shows that this strain of good bacteria in yogurt helps reduce dandruff (7). You Will Need
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You can also use aloe vera as a leave-in conditioner. Scroll down to learn how. Aloe Vera As Leave-In Conditioner
Shutterstock Aloe vera has a pH similar to our hair, so it can be used as a leave-in conditioner. This natural conditioner contains rosewater and oils that moisturize and nourish your hair, leaving it silky soft, shiny, and manageable. You Will Need
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These are some ways you can incorporate aloe vera in your hair care routine. If you are wondering how often you should use aloe vera on your hair, find the answer below. How Often Should You Put Aloe Vera On Your Hair?You can use aloe vera once a week on your hair for the best results. However, this depends on your hair type. If you have normal or oily hair, you can use it once or twice a week. If you have dry hair, use it twice or thrice a week. Every ingredient has some side effects. Keep reading to learn about the risks of using aloe vera. Does Aloe Vera Have Side Effects?
Shutterstock Aloe vera is considered safe for topical application (1). It is also safe for sensitive scalps. However, if you are allergic to it, aloe vera may cause a few side effects like:
Avoid using aloe vera if you:
You can try a simple patch test to verify if you are allergic to aloe vera. You may also get a blood test done to identify the ingredients you are allergic to. Using aloe vera gel for hair is very effective. It stimulates hair growth, increases hair thickness, combats dandruff, and repairs damaged hair. Though there is not enough scientific evidence to back these claims, most people who have used aloe vera gel boast about its benefits. Keep in mind that store-bought aloe vera gel is different from pure aloe vera extract. To avoid allergic reactions and any other harsh effects, always perform a patch test before applying the gel to your hair. Try DIY hair masks at least once a week to see your hair become healthier and shinier. Frequently Asked QuestionsCan aloe vera regrow lost hair or thicken hair? While there is no scientific evidence, anecdotal evidence suggests that aloe vera can help boost blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. How can I use aloe vera for styling my hair? You can use aloe vera gel as pre-styling serum or dilute it with water and use it as hairspray to fight frizz and keep the hair shiny. Is aloe vera gel safe for consumption? Aloe vera gel and skin can be eaten. However, it is not suggested to consume aloe vera as it reportedly causes diarrhea, vomiting, kidney problems, electrolyte imbalances, and colic. How can I preserve fresh aloe vera gel? You can freeze fresh aloe vera gel to preserve it for a week. You can increase the shelf life (up to 2 months) of fresh aloe vera by adding vitamins E or C. SourcesArticles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
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Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make... more Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of... more Can I use aloe vera everyday on my hair?It is totally safe to use aloe vera for hair and leave it overnight. You can apply fresh aloe vera gel in your hair before going to bed and wash off in the morning for soft and healthy hair. Do it once or twice a week. Doing it daily may cause cold as it also possesses cooling properties.
How often should aloe vera be applied to scalp?rub the gel or mixture directly into the scalp and let it sit for an hour. use a mild shampoo to wash the hair and scalp. repeat this process 2-3 times a week, as needed.
How long can you leave aloe vera in your hair?Leave the mask on for 30 minutes. You can leave it on for up to an hour for extra conditioning. Rinse the mask out of your hair. You'll probably want to wash your hair to make sure you get the mask out completely, since aloe vera gel can leave a filmy residue in your hair.
Does aloe vera regrow hair?It's possible that aloe vera can promote hair growth when the cause of the alopecia is an inflammatory condition on the scalp. More likely is that aloe vera contributes to healthy hair because it conditions and moisturizes the hair and scalp, says Dr. Greenfield.
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