Combat Dry, Damaged Hair With This Pantry Staple
There are many different DIY beauty trends out there from egg-white and avocado hair masks to apple cider vinegar treatments. However, you are guaranteed to have this handy oil in your pantry. Olive oil is not only good for drizzling on your salads or using in the frying pan but also an amazing hair treatment.
Here we break down your pending questions on olive oil for hair. What are the benefits? Does it work on all hair types? How is it applied? Read on to find out!
The Benefits of Olive Oil for Hair
There are many benefits of using olive oil on your skin and hair. It can reduce frizz, ease an itchy scalp, deep condition, and works as a sealant to lock moisture into dry hair. A little goes a long way as too much of it can weigh down your hair or give it a greasy appearance.
A 2015 review of studies published in the International Journal of Trichology stated that oil has an important role in protecting your hair from damage. The oils can enter your hair strands and reduce the water absorption, which in turn help detangle the hair and minimize frizz.
Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, trichologist and founder of Alodia Hair Care told Byrdie Magazine that, “most of the commonly used multi-purpose oils (like avocado, coconut, and jojoba oil) don’t do much to moisturize the hair. Instead, they work as sealants to help lock in and retain moisture (which should really come in the form of water and using water-based hair care products).”
What type of olive oil?
Extra virgin olive oil will be the best as it is made in a way that enables the oil to retain more of the olives’ minerals and vitamins.
Dr. Isfahan recommends going for “an organic, extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) that’s unrefined and not treated with any chemicals or heat — it’s the highest-quality available, and much healthier for your hair.”
Not entirely. Olive oil works best for those with thick, dry, wavy, curly, or damaged hair. The oil will benefit these hair textures as they tend to lose moisture faster.
If you have thin, straight, or fine hair the oils may be too heavy which allows it to travel down the hair faster and may make it look greasy. For those with thin hair, the more effective option would be oils like argan or jojoba. Another thing to add is that olive oil isn’t proven to promote hair growth.
How to Use Olive Oil for Your Hair
Before you wash your hair apply a small amount of oil to your hair. If you have dry thick hair then apply it from root to ends, however, if your hair is on the oily side then apply it from the middle of the strand to the end. This is a great way to achieve healthy hair.
Olive oil is a great remedy for helping to smooth damaged or burnt ends of your hair. To benefit from this, apply the oil to the last two inches of the damaged strands. You can combat frizz with olive oil as the oils enter your strands of hair and reduce the water, which reduces the frizz.
For an all-over treatment, apply the oil to your scalp and massage it all the way to the ends. Make sure to use a towel or something to protect your clothes. First, warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave or in hot water. Then apply it generously to the ends of hair and scalp. Leave it in for up to 10 – 20 minutes, and then wash with shampoo.
Olive oil is also a great way to ease a dry, itchy scalp. It is full of fatty acids and antioxidants which helps fight any bacterial infections. You could try a DIY hair mask by mixing honey and olive oil. Dr. Isfahan recommends mixing olive oil and honey. “Honey is a humectant, so it helps to seal in the moisture for dry, dehydrated strands and can also help reduce split ends.”
She swears by these home remedies: “Add about three tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey into a smooth mixture. After shampooing, apply to damp, sectioned hair. Cover with a plastic cap and let it sit for about 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse.”
Dr. Isfahan recommends incorporating this treatment once a week for optimal results.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, Yours Magazine.
