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Avocado needs no introduction with its amazing benefits when eaten as food. The creamy white texture and the yummy taste are enough to make it a favorite for many. With its benefits and nutrient filled goodness, avocado is actually considered as one of the superfoods in the world. A prime reason for its inclusion in so many recipes.
This superfood is not only tasty, it also has other benefits. For example – avocado oil is considered one of the best cooking oils there is.
However, here we take a look at a completely different use of avocado oil –Avacado oil for hair purposes.
What does Avocado do to hair?
A lot of things!
It is one of the most recommended hair oils out there. And not without reasons!
Some of the benefits that avocado oil gives to the hair are moisturizing, detangling, preventing dandruff and promoting growth. At the same time, with its extremely light consistency, it can be used after conditioning as well.
So, what makes the avocado such a miracle cure?
Nature has been extremely liberal while gifting avocado its nutritional goodness. The fruit contains a lot of monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. All these make it a great source of supplemental nutrition for hair and skin as much as it is great for consumption as a fruit.
However, there is a slight difference in eating the fruit and applying it on hair.
- The proteins in the fruit are lost during the extraction process and avocado oil cannot be used for protein benefits.
- The water-soluble Vitamin B is also lost during the oil extraction process. Oil being applied still has the beneficial oil soluble vitamins like A, D and E but not B.
Now let us look at the benefits provided by the Avocado oil for hair
1. Moisturization
One of the primary reasons for hair loss in today’s world is loss of moisture from the hair due to pollution, chemical hair products or overuse of heating and hair styling treatments. All of these lead to the hair follicles losing the moisture essential for growth.
Avocado oil with its richness in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and light consistency is great for hair moisturization since it can easily penetrate the hair shaft and provide moisture required by the hair for growth, whereas other oils just sit on top of the scalp by coating the hair. This makes it a much more sought-after oil for dry and damaged hair.
2. Detangling
Another big cause of hair loss is tangling of hair due to dust particles, not combing for hours etc. The tangled hair then requires pressure to be applied for detangling it, which weakens the hair and makes it amenable to breaking.
Avocado hair oil with its lubricating properties, slips into the hair shafts and does not let dust etc. to get settled on the hair. The hair thus detangled can overcome the fragile nature immediately after a good wash, keeping it strong.
Thus, the use of a simple avocado hair oil can provide the much-needed strength to hair.
3. Dandruff Prevention
A big cause of concern for most people with hair problems is the deposition of white, flaky substance called dandruff on their scalp. This is extremely harmful for hair growth and health and causes hair fall. Dandruff is mostly caused by a dry scalp and the hair care market is flooded with anti-dandruff products which do more harm than good.
Naturally extracted avocado oil (through cold pressing) is an effective remedy against dry scalp thereby preventing dandruff overall. The light hair oil easily penetrates the scalp and moisturizes from within. This also retains the moisture in the hair for a long time, giving the much-needed support for preventing dandruff.
The moisturizing properties of avocado oil are so good that it is even recommended to patients having psoriasis for soothing the itchiness and burning caused by dry skin. However, this must be done under advice from an experienced medical practitioner only.
4. Growth Promotion
With the day to day stress and unhealthy lifestyle causing a lot of damage to the hair, everyone looks for a magic potion to reverse the damage being done. Avocado oil may not exactly be a magical potion, however with its properties, it is not lesser than one either.
Providing so many beneficial nutrients essential for hair growth like healthy fats, vitamins and essential minerals and preventing the damage causing problems like dandruff, this is one of the best remedies available right at home that promotes growth of your hair. From locking in moisture to providing essential nutrient for strength, every aspect of avocado oil is great for promoting hair growth and health.
5. Deep Conditioning
A major benefit of the monounsaturated fatty acids in avocado oil is the deep conditioning provided by it to the hair strands by penetrating a layer of skin. The light oil is good for even people with sensitive skin and helps unclog the pores, maintaining the natural air and moisture balance as required.
The luster, smoothness and thickness of healthy hair is a telling sign that your hair is saying thank you for taking such good care. And that is what you get by regular use of avocado oil for hair.
Let’s take a look at how can this seemingly magical remedy be used.
How do I use avocado oil on my hair?
There are multiple ways to use avocado hair oil. It can be used directly on the scalp as oil, as an ingredient of a hair mask that can be prepared at home or even as a carrier oil for other essential oils like lavender and peppermint that promote hair growth.
Below listed are some of the ways this oil can be used in your regular hair care routine.
1. As a Carrier Oil
Carrier oils are used to dilute the actual essential oils. The essential oils may be strong and irritate the skin on direct application for some individuals. Hence, they are mixed with carrier oils that are light and good for sensitive skin.
Avocado oil with its well-known lightness and soothing effect on sensitive skin makes a great carrier oil for other stronger ones like peppermint or lavender. These stronger oils are known to be good for hair growth and health and avocado oil in itself is great for hair.
Thus, experts advice mixing 3-4 drops of the essential oil in an ounce of avocado hair oil before application.
2. As a Hair Mask
The next usage of Avocado Hair Oil is in many of the DIY hair masks that utilize the benefit of multiple ingredients to nourish hair.
One of such masks is described below
Take the following ingredients.
- One avocado
- One banana
- One tbsp honey, avocado oil and coconut oil each
Mash the fruits and blend them in a blender if required. There should be no lumps. Mix the oils and honey to the blend. Now apply this mask onto your hair and let it rest for about 30 minutes. Wash off the mask to find smooth, shining and healthy hair!
3. As a Hair Oil
The simplest way to use avocado hair oil is to use it directly. You can also warm it slightly using the double boiler method before application.
Take the oil and massage it lightly to the scalp as well as the ends. Cover your hair with a shower cap or any other plastic cap after applying. The oil should be kept at least for half an hour, before washing off with a mild shampoo.
Can you leave avocado oil in hair?
Yes, the avocado hair oil is light in texture and helps in deep conditioning. Thus, if you want, you can leave it for a few hours or even overnight before rinsing.
Another excellent use of avocado oil is as a leave in conditioner. For people who have dry to extremely dry hair, this is a great option.
After washing your hair, take a small quantity of the oil and dab it lightly. Spread it evenly across the length of the hair and let it be. It works as an excellent hair conditioner, moisturizing and protecting your hair as you go about your day.
Although there are no known risks associated with the usage of avocado hair oil, it is advised that people who are allergic to avocados should exercise caution. Before using the hair oil, check with your doctor, whether or not you should be using it. In some extreme cases, it may cause irritation, rashes and swollen skin if you are allergic to avocados.
If you are not allergic to it, there is no limit on the number of times you can apply this oil. It is completely a personal and cultural choice, whether you want to oil your hair daily, on alternate days or just once in a week.
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