Aloe vera is a plant that has become increasingly popular for its various health and beauty benefits. When applied to the hair and scalp, aloe vera can provide many advantages. Using aloe vera on hair daily may help with conditions like dandruff, hair loss, and dryness. It can also promote hair growth and add shine and luster to hair. Let’s explore some of the key things that can happen when using aloe vera on hair every day.
1. Hydrates Hair and Scalp
One of the main benefits of using aloe vera on hair is hydration. The gel contains over 200 active compounds, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, and amino acids (1). It has a high water content, so it helps hydrate and moisturize hair. Applying aloe vera daily can help restore moisture if you have dry hair or an itchy, flaky scalp.
The vitamins and minerals in aloe help nourish hair follicles and hydrate the scalp. Specific compounds like lignins penetrate deeply into the hair shaft to add moisture. Regular use can help hair maintain its elasticity and strength by preventing breakage caused by dryness.
Hydration Benefits:
- Relieves dry, brittle hair
- Soothes and moisturizes scalp
- Prevents hair breakage
- Restores luster and shine
2. Reduces Dandruff
Dandruff is a common scalp condition marked by itching and flaking. It’s often caused by dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of aloe vera make it useful for reducing dandruff. It helps create a balanced pH level on the scalp while the enzymes can exfoliate dead skin cells.
Aloe also contains salicylic acid, which acts as a gentle exfoliant and anti-inflammatory. Applying it daily dissolves existing dandruff flakes while preventing further buildup. Its antimicrobial properties fight the yeast-like fungus malassezia that can aggravate dandruff.
Dandruff-Reduction Benefits:
- Balances pH levels on scalp
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
- Anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties
- Soothes scalp irritation and inflammation
3. Promotes Hair Growth
Using aloe vera frequently may help boost hair growth. It contains an enzyme called proteolytic that helps repair dead skin cells on the scalp. This helps remove excessive buildup and clears blockages in the hair follicles to encourage growth.
The nutrients like vitamins A, B12, C, and folic acid in aloe vera also support healthy hair growth. In addition, it helps regulate the pH level of the scalp to create the optimal environment for follicles to produce new hair. Applying it daily provides regular nourishment to promote thicker, fuller hair over time.
Hair Growth Benefits:
- Clears blockages in hair follicles
- Repairs dead skin cells
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals
- Balances pH levels on scalp
4. Adds Shine and Luster
Using aloe vera regularly can help boost shine and luster for healthier-looking hair. It acts as a natural conditioner by sealing the hair cuticles. This helps reduce frizz and smooth the hair texture for increased shine.
Aloe also contains ample amounts of vitamins and fatty acids that help add glossiness. It provides moisturization without leaving residue or weighing hair down. The minerals in aloe help remove product buildup that can make hair look dull.
Shine and Luster Benefits:
- Seals cuticles for smoother texture
- Moisturizes without residue
- Contains fatty acids and vitamins for glossiness
- Removes product buildup
5. Prevents Hair Loss
Aloe vera may help prevent hair loss and thinning. It provides nourishment to hair follicles to keep them healthy and strong. The proteolytic enzymes it contains remove dead skin cells and stimulate growth. The antioxidants help combat the oxidative stress that can damage follicles and cause hair loss.
It also increases blood circulation in the scalp. Improved blood flow provides more oxygen and nutrients to follicles to encourage growth. This helps prevent premature hair loss and thinning.
Hair Loss Prevention Benefits:
- Nourishes hair follicles
- Increases blood flow to scalp
- Stimulates growth with enzymes
- Antioxidants reduce damage to follicles
6. Protects Against UV Damage
Excessive sun exposure can damage hair just like it can damage skin. The UV radiation breaks down keratin proteins and causes discoloration. Aloe vera forms a protective layer that shields hair from UV rays. It acts as a natural sunscreen to prevent damage from the sun.
The antioxidants like vitamin C and E also help combat free radicals caused by UV exposure. This protects the hair cuticle and helps prevent split ends and breakage. Using aloe vera daily improves hair’s ability to withstand sun damage.
UV Protection Benefits:
- Forms protective barrier
- Shields from UV rays
- Antioxidants reduce free radical damage
- Prevents sun damage and breakage
7. Cleanses Scalp and Hair
Product buildup, dirt, oil, and impurities can accumulate on the scalp and hair. Aloe vera has cleansing abilities that help remove these. Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties disrupt residue and bacteria. This helps thoroughly cleanse the scalp and hair.
Aloe also contains enzymes that exfoliate dead skin cells and clear pore-clogging debris. This unclogs hair follicles and allows new growth to emerge. Using aloe daily helps maintain clean hair and a healthy scalp.
Cleansing Benefits:
- Antimicrobial properties
- Removes buildup and debris
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
- Unclogs hair follicles
8. Balances pH
The scalp has an ideal pH balance of around 5, making it slightly acidic. Harsh products and over-washing can disrupt this balance and cause damage. Aloe vera has a pH of around 4, so it helps restore the acid mantle.
Keeping the ideal pH balance makes the scalp environment healthy for hair growth. It protects against fungal overgrowth and reduces irritation. Daily application helps maintain the scalp’s pH at healthy levels.
pH Balance Benefits:
- Restores acidic mantle
- Prevents scalp damage
- Discourages fungal overgrowth
- Reduces irritation
9. Reduces Frizz and Improves Manageability
Using aloe vera daily can help smoothen hair texture and reduce frizz. It seals the hair cuticles down to prevent strands from catching and tangling. This allows hair to look smoother and makes it more manageable.
The humectant compounds help hair evenly absorb moisture without getting weighed down. As a conditioning agent, it makes hair more pliable and easier to detangle. It also enhances shine for less frizzy hair.
Frizz Reduction Benefits:
- Seals down cuticles
- Prevents catching and tangling
- Adds moisture without weight
- Makes hair smoother and more pliable
10. Prevents Split Ends
Split ends are a common hair woe caused by dryness and damage. Aloe vera nourishes hair and reinforces the outer cuticle layer. This helps prevent split ends from forming by keeping strands hydrated and protecting the cuticle integrity.
It also contains antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamins C and E that help combat the oxidative damage that causes split ends. Using aloe vera daily strengthens hair to discourage splits from forming.
Split End Prevention Benefits:
- Hydrates and nourishes hair
- Reinforces cuticle layer
- Antioxidants reduce oxidative damage
- Strengthens hair to discourage splits
How to Use
Using pure aloe vera gel is the most effective for harnessing its benefits. Look for 100% pure inner leaf aloe gel without added color, fragrance, or preservatives. Here are some simple ways to use it for hair daily:
As a Leave-In Conditioner
- After shampooing, apply aloe gel generously to damp hair.
- Massage into hair and scalp.
- Rinse out after 5-10 minutes.
- Style as usual.
As an Overnight Mask
- Apply aloe gel liberally to dry, unwashed hair.
- Cover hair with a shower cap.
- Leave in overnight.
- Rinse out in the morning.
As a Scalp Treatment
- Massage aloe gel directly onto scalp.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Shampoo and condition as usual.
With Essential Oils
- Add a few drops of lavender, peppermint, or tea tree oil to aloe.
- Mix together.
- Apply to hair and massage in.
- Rinse out after 20 minutes.
Precautions
When using aloe vera in hair care, keep these precautions in mind:
- Do a patch test before initial use to check for allergic reaction.
- Stop using if irritation develops.
- Avoid getting pure aloe near eyes.
- Dilute aloe with water or other oils if applying directly to scalp.
- Rinse out properly to avoid residue buildup.
Conclusion
Using aloe vera in your daily hair care regimen can provide exceptional benefits for various hair woes. It hydrates, nourishes, and protects hair while promoting growth and shine. With regular use, aloe vera can transform the health and appearance of your hair.
Just be sure to do a patch test beforehand and take proper precautions. Use 100% pure inner leaf gel for optimal results. Give your hair some daily aloe TLC and enjoy the countless rewards.