Aloe vera is well known for its many health and beauty benefits. When it comes to hair care, using aloe vera can help moisturize, condition, and strengthen your locks. But should you apply aloe vera gel before or after shampooing? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of using aloe vera before and after shampooing.
Using Aloe Vera Before Shampooing
Applying aloe vera gel to your hair and scalp before shampooing can provide some great benefits:
- Moisturizes hair – The mucopolysaccharides in aloe vera help it retain moisture. Applying aloe vera before shampooing acts as a moisturizing pre-wash treatment.
- Conditions hair – Aloe vera gel coats the hair shaft to smooth down cuticles. This helps leave hair more conditioned.
- Protects hair from damage – By coating strands in a protective layer, aloe vera can help minimize damage from washing, styling, and environmental factors.
- Soothes scalp – The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of aloe vera provide relief from itchiness, irritation, and inflammation.
- Boosts strength – Aloe vera contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that help strengthen and repair hair follicles and strands.
- Stimulates growth – Some research shows aloe vera can stimulate circulation in the scalp to promote faster, healthier hair growth.
Here is a quick visual summary of the benefits of using aloe vera before shampooing:
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Moisturizes | Helps hair retain moisture before washing |
| Conditions | Smooths down cuticles to improve condition |
| Protects from damage | Coats hair in a protective layer |
| Soothes scalp | Reduces itchiness, irritation due to anti-inflammatory properties |
| Strengthens hair | Contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids that strengthen strands |
| Stimulates growth | Increases scalp circulation for faster growth |
By pre-treating your hair with aloe vera before shampooing, you allow more time for it to work its magic. The aloe vera has more time to penetrate into hair strands and follicles. This amplifies its benefits compared to using it only after shampooing.
Using Aloe Vera After Shampooing
While pre-shampooing has its advantages, you can still gain benefits from applying aloe vera gel after shampooing:
- Seals moisture – Aloe forms a protective seal to prevent moisture loss after washing.
- Detangles – The slick gel helps smooth and separate strands to make detangling easier.
- Adds shine – Aloe leaves a thin film that reflects light for glossier, shinier looking hair.
- pH balance – Aloe vera helps restore hair’s pH after it’s disrupted from shampooing.
- Boosts other products – Using aloe vera after shampooing helps seal in moisture from leave-in conditioners.
Here is a simple table summarizing the key advantages of using aloe vera after shampooing:
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Seals moisture | Forms protective seal to prevent moisture evaporating |
| Detangles | Coats strands to allow easier detangling |
| Adds shine | Leaves glossy film to boost shine |
| pH balance | Helps restore hair’s pH post-shampooing |
| Enhances other products | Locks in moisture from leave-ins |
While aloe vera after shampooing doesn’t allow as much penetration time, it still offers advantages. It helps seal in moisture, restore hair’s protective pH, and enhance the effects of other hair care products.
Should I Use Aloe Vera Before or After Shampooing?
When it comes to deciding whether to apply aloe vera before or after shampooing, the answer depends on your hair goals and needs:
Dry, damaged hair
If your hair is very dry or damaged, pre-shampooing with aloe vera is recommended. Dry hair needs extra moisture and protection before washing. Letting aloe Vera soak in before shampooing maximizes hydration, conditioning, and strengthening for parched strands.
Oily hair and scalp
For oily hair types, apply aloe vera after shampooing. Using aloe before can make hair greasier. But applying it as a post-shampoo rinse helps balance oil production and pH.
Scalp irritation and dandruff
To soothe an itchy, inflamed scalp, massage aloe vera gel into your scalp and hair pre-shampoo. Letting it penetrate for 30+ minutes allows the anti-inflammatory agents to work before washing.
Enhance other products
If you use leave-in conditioners or hair masks, use aloe after to help seal in moisture. The mix of aloe vera with other nourishing products boosts their effects.
Every wash
For maximum aloe vera benefits, consider applying it before AND after shampooing. Pre-treat hair with aloe gel 30 mins before washing. Then follow up with more aloe as a post-shampoo rinse. This double dose helps aloe fully work into hair and scalp.
As a scalp mask
Apply aloe vera gel generously all over your scalp and hair. Allow it to penetrate for 30-60 mins. Then rinse out and shampoo as normal. This hair mask treatment focuses on scalp health.
As a hair mask
Coat the lengths of your hair in aloe vera gel. Cover with a shower cap and leave for 30+ mins before washing out. Rinse and shampoo as normal. This targets dry hair ends.
How to Apply Aloe Vera for Hair
Here are some tips for effectively applying aloe vera gel before and after washing your hair:
Before Shampooing
- Start with clean, product-free damp hair. Wetting strands first helps aloe absorb better.
- Scoop out fresh aloe gel from an aloe leaf or use bottled aloe gel.
- Rub the gel between your palms to warm it up before applying.
- Use your fingers to massage aloe thoroughly into your scalp and coat hair strands from roots to ends.
- Leave on for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Shampoo and condition as normal.
After Shampooing
- Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
- After conditioning, squeeze out excess water from your hair.
- Apply a quarter-sized amount of aloe gel to your palms and rub together.
- Smooth aloe gel over your hair, scrunching into the lengths and ends.
- Leave the aloe vera in – don’t rinse out.
- Let hair air dry or style as desired.
If you have thick or long hair, you may need to use a bit more gel to thoroughly coat all strands.
Tips for Using Aloe Vera for Hair
Follow these tips to get the most out of using aloe vera for hair health and beauty:
- Always do a patch test first – aloe can cause allergic reactions.
- Use pure, 100% aloe gel without added ingredients.
- Opt for fresh aloe gel instead of bottled if possible.
- Shampoo first if you have a lot of product buildup in your hair.
- Don’t apply aloe to your roots if you have oily hair.
- Use cool or lukewarm water when rinsing to seal in moisture.
- Pair with oils like coconut or argan oil to enhance conditioning.
- Repeat 1-2 times a week for best results.
Precautions for Using Aloe Vera on Hair
While aloe vera has many benefits for hair, there are also some precautions to keep in mind:
- Aloe vera has mild acidic properties that can potentially dry out some hair types with prolonged, frequent use.
- Some people are allergic or sensitive to aloe vera. Do a patch test before wide use.
- Bottled aloe vera products may contain preservatives and other additives that can irritate skin.
- Aloe vera can interact with certain medications. Check with your doctor first if you take any oral medication.
- Aloe vera leaves can be difficult to wash out. Be sure to shampoo thoroughly after use.
- Aloe vera may not be suitable for chemically treated or frequently heat styled hair.
Pay attention to how your hair responds after using aloe vera. Reduce frequency of use if your hair becomes overly dry or straw-like.
The Bottom Line
Here’s a quick summary of when you should use aloe vera for hair:
- Before shampooing – for very dry, damaged hair. Allows maximum penetration time to deeply moisturize.
- After shampooing – for oily hair types. Helps balance oils and seal in moisture without adding excess weight.
- Before AND after – for all hair types to get the combined benefits. Double aloe vera strengthening and conditioning.
- As a scalp mask – to treat dandruff, irritation, inflammation. Apply just to scalp before washing.
- As a hair mask – to moisturize dry ends. Coat just the lengths and leave on before rinsing.
Aloe vera can be used before or after shampooing to hydrate, strengthen, and condition your hair. Play around to find the method and frequency that works best for your hair type and needs.