How To Use Aloe Vera For Hair Growth

The use of Aloe vera for hair growth has been a common practice for years. Hair loss is one common phenomenon that is both frustrating and deeply depressing. Imagine watching your once full and long hair drop gradually till you have very thin hair. Hair Loss is caused by various factors. Some include:

Hormonal imbalance
Hereditary factors
Medical conditions (Alopecia)
Radiation treatment
Mismanagement of hair

The list goes on and on. Regardless of what is causing your hair loss, the question is:

“How can hair loss be treated?”

And if you haven’t experienced hair loss before, you’ll be asking:

“How can I protect my hair from breakage?”

There are many suggestions as to how one can regain lost hair or protect one’s hair from breakage. However, by the time you’re done reading this article you should have a deeper understanding of:

The major constituents of Aloe vera and how they encourage hair growth.
How to harvest aloe vera for use.
The different ways aloe vera can be mixed and applied to the hair.
Why you should use aloe vera for hair growth.

If this is something you’re eager to learn about, let’s go!

What Is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is a tropical plant that has been used for centuries for medicinal and decorative purposes. Aloe Vera grows in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Human beings have long known about the benefits which can be reaped from the plant, which include treatment for skin conditions, sunburn and heartburn relief, and wound healing, among others. It is believed to have regenerative and beauty-boosting properties. Studies have shown that aloe vera has up to 75 active ingredients.

Aloe vera is commonly recommended as a remedy for hair growth or hair protection because it is rich in:

Vitamins
Minerals
Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties
Essential amino acids

Aloe vera is a wonder plant. All over the world and especially in the beauty and cosmetics industry, this wonder plant has been used for various purposes and serves as the major ingredient in beauty products.

Aloe vera gels, creams, and ointments contains the clear gel found in aloe vera leaves. These products can be applied to the skin to treat various skin conditions. Aloe is being sold in capsule or liquid form to be taken internally to promote health and well-being.

Scientifically, the use of aloe vera for hair growth hasn’t been proven. But it is believed that some of the natural constituents found in aloe vera encourage hair growth. In this article, we will be talking about how the plant can be used to grow your hair.

Why is Aloe Vera Such a Wonder Worker for Hair Growth?

Aloe vera has many active ingredients and minerals that can help strengthen your hair. It has fatty acids and amino acids and is rich in Vitamins A, B12, C, and E. These play a part in building your hair follicles. Particularly, there’s a chemical compound in the plant which boosts hair growth called aloenin. Aloenin is commonly used to treat people who suffer from a hair loss condition called alopecia. It has been used to improve hair health and lessen breakage, contributing to hair growth.

Are there any health risks of applying Aloe Vera to the skin?

Aloe vera naturally has no adverse effect when applied topically. However, there have been reports that a few people are allergic to it.

These people could break out in a rash, and suffer from diarrhoea or constant vomiting once they’re exposed to Aloe Vera. However, simply because a small fraction of people is allergic to it doesn’t mean it’s harmful. Before applying aloe vera to your hair, however, you can simply do a patch test on a part of your skin to check if you are allergic to aloe vera. before rubbing the gel on your whole scalp.

How to Harvest Aloe Vera

It is very easy and simple to harvest an aloe plant for gel and juice. You will need a mature plant that’s at least a few years old. This ensures a higher concentration of the active ingredients.

You may want to have a few plants on rotation if you plan to harvest aloe vera often. You will also want to wait a few weeks before cutting leaves from the same plant.

To harvest your aloe vera plant for gel and juice:

Remove 3-4 leaves at a time, choosing thick leaves from the outer sections of the plant.
Ensure the leaves are healthy and free of any mould or damage.
Cut them close to the stem. Most of the beneficial nutrients are found at the base of the leaves.
Avoid the roots.
Wash and dry the leaves.
Cut out the prickly edges with a knife.
Separate the interior gel from the outside of the leaf using a knife or your fingers. The interior gel is the part of the aloe that you’ll use.
Allow the yellow sap to drain out from the leaf. This is the aloe vera latex. If you plan to use latex, you can catch this in a container. If you’re not planning to use the latex, you can dispose of it.
Cut the aloe gel into slices or cubes.

4 Easy And Effective Ways To Use Aloe Vera For Hair Growth

The application of just aloe vera gel to the hair is a common way of using aloe vera for hair growth. It is believed to be an effective method. However, hair growth advocates believe that when aloe vera is mixed with other potent and natural hair boosters, the results are amazing.

Without further ado, let’s look at the different types of aloe vera mixtures that will speed up your hair growth and protect your hair from breakage.

1. Aloe Vera And Ginger:

Ginger is a food spice which can be used to promote hair growth because it contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help in hair growth. To get optimal benefits from aloe vera and ginger, you should make a juice and use it as a hair spray. You can make this juice by mixing half a cup of fresh aloe vera juice and ¼ a cup of fresh ginger juice. When both ingredients are well combined, pour the juice into a spray bottle and spray the liquid on your hair every morning.

2. Aloe Vera And Coconut Oil Mixture:

Coconut oil contains antifungal properties and calms irritation, these properties are beneficial to the scalp: when the scalp is healthy it promotes hair growth. Coconut oil is well known for its ability to help grow healthier, longer and thicker hair. It’s also believed to help retain hair moisture and protect hair strands.

Coconut oil mixed with Aloe vera gel is very effective for the hair. Here’s how you can prepare the mixture.

Blend aloe vera gel till it’s smooth and even.
Mix the aloe vera gel with coconut oil.
Heat the mixture till the bubbles disappear.
Leave to cool.
Extract the mixture and store.

It can be applied to the hair a few hours before going in for a hair wash or left on the hair overnight.

3. Aloe Vera And Honey:

Asides from being delicious, studies have shown that honey has softening and water-retaining properties. This makes it an effective hair moisturizer.

When combined with the phytochemical properties of Aloe vera, the hair is preserved and moisturized. Here is how you can prepare the mixture:

Mix honey and aloe vera in a bowl in a 50:50 ratio.
Blend the mixture till it is smooth and consistent.
Add the egg white to the mixture to make a hair mask.
Massage your scalp softly with the mixture and apply the mixture to hair strands.
Put on a shower cap.
Leave in hair for 30 mins then wash hair.

4. Aloe Vera And Castor Oil Mixture:

Castor oil is believed to prevent split ends and general hair damage. Here is how to prepare this mixture:

Add 2 tablespoons of castor oil to a cup of aloe vera oil.
Blend the mixture till it’s smooth.
Apply the mixture to your hair and wear a shower cap.
Sleep with it.

Aloe vera can also be used with vinegar, lavender oil, castor oil, and honey for hair growth. All you need to do is make a thick mixture and use it as a deep conditioner or a pre-poo.

How often should you put aloe vera in your hair?

If used as a spray, aloe vera can be used daily. However, if used as a deep conditioner or as a pre-poo, once or twice a week will provide all the benefits of aloe vera to the hair.

Conclusion

Aloe vera is one of the most common skin care products that exist in nature. The use of aloe vera for hair growth isn’t new and it’s believed to be effective. However, mixing aloe vera with other effective natural products can produce desirable outcomes. Examples of other natural products that can be combined with aloe vera are castor oil, coconut, ginger, and many others.

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