Aloe Vera For Hair Growth: How To Apply Aloe Vera On Hair

November 26, 2022

Aloe vera is an extremely versatile plant. Apart from improving your immunity, giving you a vibrant skin, and keeping you looking younger, it is also great for hair.

It’s rich in minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and nutrients that help promote hair growth, moisturize dried out hair, and sooth flaky scalps. Use it to condition your hair after a wash, massage it into the scalp to boost the growth of new hair follicles, or make a mask for a relaxing hair care day at home.

In this post, we will explain step-by-step how to apply aloe vera on hair to boost growth. But first, let’s see how aloe vera benefits your hair.

Amazing Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Hair Growth And Care

1. Unclogs Hair Follicles

People have used aloe vera for hair growth since ancient times. The plant contains proteolytic enzymes that directly aid in healthy hair growth. When you apply aloe vera gel into your scalp, these enzymes destroy dead skin cells that clog the hair follicles, allowing nutrients to penetrate properly in the hair.

When sebum and dead skin cells accumulate on the scalp, they could lead to conditions like seborrhea that could contribute to premature baldness. The active ingredients in aloe vera break down the dead scalp cells and sebum, boosting hair growth.

The alkalizing properties of the plant also help in balancing the PH levels of the hair and scalp, which further promotes hair growth. They help retain moisture in the hair too.

2. Soothes Itchy Scalp

Aloe vera is great at alleviating itching and dryness, all thanks to its antipruritic properties. Pruritus conditions include vexing scalp and skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. These ailments are often characterized by the excessive synthesis of skin cells. The enzymes in aloe vera enable it to get rid of the unwanted dead skin cells and condition the scalp and hair.

Aloe also reduces itching, scaling, and redness of the scalp, which directly benefits your hair. When shampooing or conditioning hair, experts recommend using products with aloe extract to prevent irritation.

3. Fights Dandruff

Owing to its ability to break down dead skin cells, aloe vera has also been used to treat dandruff. Dandruff can occur due to various reasons but most researchers pin its existence of Malassezia, a fungus that is commonly known to live in the scalp.

Good news? In addition to eliminating dead scalp cells, aloe contains anti-fungal and alkalizing properties. These are important because fungi like Malassezia thrive in acidic environments. The alkalizing attributes of the plant neutralize the acidic fungal environment, inhibiting further buildup and growth.

4. Repairs And Strengthens Hair

The leaves of an aloe vera plant are rich in vitamins A, C, E, B12, and folic acid. All these contribute to cell turnover, which promotes healthy cell growth and vibrant, shiny hair. They also prevent hair loss.

Aloe vera plant benefits swimmers and people who spend more time in the sun too. Swimmers shampoos and conditioners containing aloe vera have been found to reverse damage caused by pool chemicals and the salty ocean water.

Aloe’s cooling properties and high collagen and vitamin content also suggest that the plant may repair sun-damaged hair too. If you are already experiencing hair loss, it would be best to wear a sunhat when heading out in the sun. This will protect your scalp from UV radiation and consequently reduce hair loss.

5. Deep Cleanses Oily Hair

One of the reasons people use aloe vera for hair growth is that it can clean hair follicles efficiently, stripping off residue and sebum from other hair products. Unlike most chemicals used in hair products today, aloe doesn’t hurt your follicles while it cleans. It’s gentle and protects your strands with every wash.

The gel from the plant is believed to have a similar chemical composition as keratin, a natural protein present in hair cells. This similarity in structure allows aloe vera to penetrate easily along the length of the hair strands.

Scientists have proven that the benefits of aloe vera gel can be absorbed up to 5 layers deep in the skin. This explains why aloe vera is among the most used herbs in skin and hair care products.

How To Apply Aloe Vera On Hair

There are several ways on how to apply aloe vera on hair, but mostly, how you do it depends on what you intend to achieve. If you are looking to boost hair growth, treat dandruff, or condition the scalp, for instance, then you should make sure the scalp gets enough of the product. To define and moisturize your curls, then your application must focus more on the hair itself.

You can make aloe vera gel at home or buy the mass-produced one for your hair care routine. If you are like most people, you will want to use fresh aloe vera straight from the plant to reap all the untouched benefits it comes with. To do so:

Cut a leaf or two from an aloe plant. You can use more leaves depending on how much gel you want to make.
Crack open the leaves and scoop the gel out. You can blend it with olive or coconut oil or just use it as is.
Massage the gel/mixture on hair or directly into the scalp.
Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse with warm water.
Repeat 3 to 4 times a week

Since aloe vera can be allergic to some skin types, it is best to proceed with caution, especially if you have sensitive skin. Try applying a small amount onto the thighs or any other hidden area of the skin to see if it reacts before using it on the scalp.

Hair Masks

Another common way to use the gel of aloe vera for hair growth and hair care, in general, is by making a mask. Here, you mix the gel with any of the following ingredients:

Jojoba oil
Honey
Fenugreek
Egg whites

Next, you massage the mixture into the hair and scalp, put on a shower cap, and leave it for between 20 minutes and an hour, then rinse off.

Ways To Use Aloe Vera On Hair

1. Pre-Shampoo Treatment For Dandruff

If you are using aloe vera to treat dandruff, then the best way to do it is by applying it before shampooing. As we mentioned earlier, the enzymes in aloe vera get rid of the excessive fungi and dead skin cells that cause dandruff. They also balance the PH level of your scalp and leave the hair moisturized.

Apply aloe vera gel into the scalp to reduce dead scalp cells. Leave it for about 15 minutes then rinse off before shampooing.

2. Shampoo

Aloe vera is an amazing moisturizer, which is why it’s great for shampoos. Some shampoos leave your hair stiff and dry, putting you at risk of premature baldness.

When buying shampoos, always go for those that contain aloe vera gel or just add some gel to the one you use. The moisturizing enzymes in aloe vera will strengthen your hair and leave it hydrated.

3. Conditioner

If you have tightly coiled hair, then most natural oils will be trapped at the roots, making your hair look dry. Products with vitamins and amino acids condition your hair and leave it moisturized. Aloe vera has over 10 vitamins and 30 amino acids!

You can buy an aloe vera conditioner or mix aloe vera gel with your favorite conditioner. If you would rather use a fresh plant, follow the steps we listed earlier on how to apply aloe vera on hair.

4. Detangling And Defining Curls

If you are looking for products that will naturally detangle your hair and define em curls, then try aloe vera. To get those stubborn knots out, mix the following ingredients and spray on the tangled sections.

A teaspoonful of aloe vera gel
10 oz. water
2 drops of glycerin
10 drops of grapefruit seed extract
1 to 2 drops of lavender or jojoba oil

To define curls:

Wash and condition your hair and then rub a half teaspoon of aloe vera gel into your hands.
Massage it into wet hair before adding your usual styling gel.

How Long Does It Take To Work?

Now you already know how to apply aloe vera on hair and probably ready to include it in your hair care regimen, but you are wondering exactly how long it will take to see results? Well, just as you didn’t lose your hair overnight, hair growth won’t happen overnight either.

It will take a few weeks or even months to see the desired results, and that’s why patience and consistency are key. Scalp symptoms like inflammation and itching may go away in a few days but hair growth can take some time.

Nevertheless, you must understand what causes your hair loss and scalp conditions and treat it directly. Poor nutrition, stress, and infection are some of the major causes of premature baldness. Finding ways to fix these will keep your scalp healthier, restore your hair follicles, and undoubtedly hasten hair growth.

Does Aloe Vera Work On All Hair Types?

Each hair type requires its approach to care. The texture, density, amount of curl, and diameter of the hair, all affect how it responds to various products and treatments.

People with African-American hair are advised to use products that contain natural ingredients like aloe vera. This is because, such hair type usually doesn’t hold enough moisture, which makes it vulnerable to breakage and consequently increases one’s risk of hair loss and premature baldness.

Aloe is rich in amino acids, fats, vitamins and other minerals that help boost moisture levels in dry, brittle hair.

Hair Conditions That Can Be Treated With Aloe Vera

The abundant active ingredients in aloe vera make it a reliable treatment for a wide variety of scalp and hair conditions. Among the issues you can fix with this wondrous plant include:

1. Dandruff

One of the major uses for aloe vera is treating dandruff. This condition occurs when dead scalp cells exfoliate faster than normal. Those cells accumulate in the scalp, creating patches of dead skin.

Most off the shelf shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products contain harsh chemicals that further irritate the scalp. As a product with active moisturizing and anti-inflammatory agents, aloe vera can be used to treat dandruff and soothe itching and inflammation that result from this scalp condition.

2. Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis has almost similar characteristics as dandruff, only that the scalp is more reddened and irritated. It occurs when the scalp becomes extra oily due to the excessive production of sebum.

Sebum is a natural oil that is synthesized under the skin to prevent dryness and keep the skin moisturized. Though this ailment is mostly physiological, sometimes it can be caused by yeast infections or even stress.

Seborrheic dermatitis differs from dandruff in that it causes inflammation of the scalp. This results in swelling of the hair follicles as well as itching and reddening of the scalp.

Consequently, the pores get clogged, affecting the growth of hair, which makes hair weaker. However, hair loss does not only occur due to excess oil in the scalp but due to dry scalp as well. When there isn’t enough moisture in your scalp, the hair follicles become weak, causing your hair to fall out.

You can use aloe vera for hair growth and scalp moisturizing. The anti-inflammatory ingredients present in the plant can also help reduce inflammation caused by seborrheic dermatitis.

You might also like: Incredible Aloe Vera Juice Benefits

3. Premature Baldness And Pattern Hair Loss

Aloe vera’s anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties make the plant the best treatment option for scalp and hair. But the regular application of aloe vera on hair also increases blood flow to the scalp.

Blood carries oxygen and vital nutrients and when there is enough supply of these in the scalp, it can give rise to new hair follicles, which promote hair growth. Some skin conditions cut off blood flow to the scalp, causing premature baldness or pattern hair loss.

Massaging aloe vera into the scalp can help restore this flow and prevent hair loss. Due to the healing properties of aloe vera gel, the plant can be used to treat scalp conditions that contribute to hair loss and premature baldness.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The topical application of aloe vera usually doesn’t have any health risks. In rare instances, however, it may have the following side effects:

Allergic reactions especially in people who are allergic to onions, garlic, and tulips
Skin rash or contact dermatitis when aloe gel is applied on the skin
Phototoxicity (skin irritation resembling an exaggerated sunburn)

When ingested, aloe vera may have side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, kidney problems, colic, and electrolyte imbalances. It is important to do a patch test before applying aloe vera on hair if you think your scalp could be sensitive to the plant.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Use Aloe Vera On My Hair?

To use aloe vera on your hair, pluck a mature leaf from an aloe plant, cut it open and dig the gel out using a spoon. Wash your hair and then rub the gel directly into the scalp. Leave it for about 30 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. You can use pure aloe vera or mix it with honey, jojoba oil, fenugreek or egg whites to make a mask for your hair. Read more on aloe vera hair masks.

Q: Can We Apply Aloe Vera Directly On Hair?

Yes, you can apply aloe vera directly on your hair. It is a great way to moisturize and nourish your hair naturally. Aloe has impressive hair conditioning properties and will make your hair soft and shiny. It also helps with dandruff and itchy scalp. Applying aloe directly is, therefore, one of the best ways to achieve healthy hair and scalp.

Q: How Often Should You Put Aloe Vera In Your Hair?

You should put aloe vera in your hair 3 times a week or 4 at max. You don’t want to do it every day because every time you apply aloe to your hair, you have to wash it off and this risks stripping your hair of its essential oils. You want your hair healthy and vibrant, not dry and weak.

Q: Can Aloe Regrow Lost Hair?

Yes, aloe vera can help regrow lost hair. The gel obtained from the plant contains glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and proteolytic enzymes that help repair and heal damaged scalp cells. These compounds also replenish dormant, scarred, and closed hair follicles, which promotes hair regrowth.

Q: Does Aloe Vera Make Hair Thicker?

Yes, aloe vera does make hair thicker. When you cleanse and condition your hair with aloe, you pamper it with the proteins and lipids it needs to build volume and thickness. The flow of blood to your scalp is increased too, which nourishes the scalp, stimulates the growth of new hair follicles and improves the health of thinner hairs.

Q: Do You Put Aloe Vera On Wet Or Dry Hair?

You can put aloe vera on either dry or wet hair. Apply it as a pre-shampoo treatment to get rid of excess fungi and dead skin cells that cause dandruff or as a moisturizer after shampooing and conditioning your hair. Either way, you will end up with much healthier hair than when you are not using aloe vera.

Globo Surf Overview

If you are looking for a cheap product that will boost your hair growth naturally, help retain hair moisture and keep those curls in shape, try aloe vera. It is packed with minerals, vitamins, natural fats, and amino acids that moisturize your scalp alleviate scalp conditions, and promote the growth of hair follicles. All of these go a long way in ensuring the healthy growth of your hair and preventing premature baldness.

The above guide shows you how to apply aloe vera on hair and how your scalp and hair will benefit from it. You can combine it with other hair growth treatments for even more desirable results. However, sometimes it might take a little while before you can see results, so patience is key.

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Aloe Vera For Hair Growth