In recent years, aloe vera has become increasingly popular with people looking for natural alternatives to synthetic products. Yet, it has been used medicinally for thousands of years.
Among the many uses of aloe vera, it is best known as an at-home remedy for treating cuts and burns.
But in addition to treating skin injuries, it has also been used to stimulate the growth of hair.
In this guide, you’ll learn whether aloe vera for hair is genuinely effective, when it can be most helpful, and the best ways to use it.
What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves that can store water in dry climates.
According to a scientific review, aloe vera gel contains 99.5% water, but the rest, 0.5 to 1%, is “vitamins, minerals, enzymes, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and organic acids.”
It is this unique composition that is thought to potentially contribute to aloe vera’s medicinal properties.
Moreover, per the same study, specifically, the polysaccharides (long chains of sugar/carbohydrates) in aloe vera gel are believed to provide a number of health benefits, including:
- Wound healing
- Anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects
- Immune stimulation
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Anti-diabetic effects
- Antioxidant activity
Not surprisingly, this plant has been used in the treatment of various illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, herpes, acne, psoriasis, and lichen planus.
Is Aloe Vera Good For Hair?
Aloe vera can be beneficial for your hair both directly and indirectly.
According to Longevita’s medical aesthetician, Dr Gizem Seymenoglu: “Aloe vera contains vitamins A, B, C and E and is packed with minerals, all of which can do wonders for your hair.”
Furthermore, this plant may also promote hair growth by treating certain underlying conditions that contribute to hair loss.
For instance, seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that commonly affects the scalp. Symptoms can include red, itchy patches, white or yellow crusts, and dandruff.
Hair loss can also occur as a result of the intense itching and clogged pores caused by this condition.
However, research shows that aloe vera can help in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. In a small placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical trial, 44 patients with seborrheic dermatitis were treated with an emulsion of aloe vera.
It resulted in a marked improvement in scaliness as well as itchiness resulting from the condition, and researchers concluded it was an effective therapy.
Similarly, aloe vera can also help alleviate certain symptoms of psoriasis, such as itchiness, which can lead to hair loss due to frequent scratching.
What Does Aloe Vera Do For Your Hair?
Some of the aloe vera plant’s benefits for hair may include:
- Keeping your hair moisturised
- Reducing excess oil (sebum)
- Soothing a dry scalp
- Maintaining a clean scalp
- Limiting hair breakage
- Strengthening your strands
- Promoting good hair growth
How To Prepare Aloe Vera For Hair?
If you have an aloe vera plant at home, you can extract the gel from its leaf yourself.
- Cut a leaf of the plant and wash it.
- Use a knife and peeler to get rid of the skin.
- Blend the chunks so that you have a gel with a smooth consistency.
You can also simply buy the gel from a store.
What Is The Best Way To Use Aloe Vera Plant Gel For Hair?
According to Dr Gizem, the best way to use aloe vera gel for hair is to:
- Massage the gel into the skin of your scalp, roots and hair strands once a week.
- Leave the gel in for around 30 minutes.
- Make sure to thoroughly rinse your hair with water so there’s no sticky residue left behind.
It can also be beneficial to mix aloe vera and oil for hair. Castor oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil can all be used for this purpose.
Additionally, eggs, yoghurt, and honey can also be used to make a more versatile aloe vera hair mask.
These can also be left on for 30 minutes before being washed off.
Can Aloe Vera Be Bad For Your Hair?
Dr Gizem warns that because it can contain astringents (alcohol), aloe can possibly dry your hair out. So, make sure that you’re careful when using aloe vera for hair growth.
What Others Have To Say About Aloe Vera For Hair?
There are mixed opinions about the benefits of aloe vera for hair on Reddit.
"I get dry scalp during the winter, careful application has definitely helped with the dryness and flaking, it doesn't really do anything for my hair itself though"
"I make a gel of flax seeds and fresh aloe and use it after shampoo. After crunching it gives me the softest curls."
"I use aloe gel on my hair quite a bit! I like doing a 50-50 mix of aloe gel and coconut oil as a pre-shower hair mask, it makes my hair super soft and smooth!"
"If you have like low porosity hair/scalp, better to avoid it. It made my hair frizzy and damaged. But I think it might be okay, if you mix it with coconut oil or something."
"Look at the ingredients. A lot of Aloe Gels have alcohol as the first or second ingredient which might be drying for the hair."
In any case, if you’re considering using aloe vera for your hair, it’s always best to consult your own medical professional.
Conclusion
Despite the lack of research on aloe vera’s effects on hair, this plant has shown a lot of promise because of its composition.
Using aloe vera plant for hair growth can help improve the moisturisation, strength and health of your hair. However, you should still be cautious when using it and consult your doctor further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because aloe vera is both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, it can help in the altogether prevention of scalp dandruff, according to a scientific review. Additionally, according to Dr Gizem, aloe vera can also help with scalp buildup, which can further improve the condition of your scalp.
Aloe vera can be helpful with unpleasant ingrown hairs. Dr Gizem advises topical application of the gel until it dries up on your skin. Then, simply wash it all off.
Aloe vera shampoo containing vitamins and minerals might help with the health of your hair. It can also keep your hair hydrated.
You might be recommended the use of aloe vera to relieve itchiness and dryness in the donor area of your scalp. In any case, you must consult your surgeon before applying aloe vera gel to any part of your scalp following a hair transplant.
