This article explores how vegetable oils benefit your hair and how you can incorporate them into your hair care routine. Keep reading.
How Is Vegetable Oil Good For Your Hair?
Vegetable oils are rich in carbohydrates and essential nutrients that can repair damaged hair. Many cosmetics formulation contains vegetable oils as they help improve the cuticles and increase hair softness (1). However, do not pick any random jar of cooking oil from your kitchen shelf to use on your hair. Cooking oils are processed and may not contain the essential nutrients your hair might need. Always use unprocessed, cold-pressed, and virgin vegetable oils (like virgin coconut, olive, jojoba, and argan oils) on your hair. Here is how vegetable oils may benefit your hair:
1. Hair Conditioning
Hair conditioning is important to hydrate, repair, and protect dry hair. Using vegetable oils like olive oil for dry hair can provide much-needed nourishment. They penetrate the hair and reduce the rate of water absorption, minimizing swelling and hair damage. Vegetable oils reduce hygral fatigue (repeated swelling and drying) to prevent hair damage (2).
2. May Prevent Dandruff
Coconut oil may help prevent the growth of Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus that causes dandruff. A study found that those who applied coconut oil to the scalp had a less severe case of dandruff (3).
3. May Promote Hair Growth
Olive oil may promote hair growth. A study found that oleuropein, the main constituent of olive leaves and fruits, encouraged hair growth in telogenici Telogen is a hair cycle stage. Being telogenic means some hair starts falling out after the resting phase of 3 to 4 months. mice (4).
4. May Prevent Scalp Inflammation
Vegetable oils like olive, grape seed, sunflower, coconut, safflower, avocado, peanut, sesame, and jojoba oils contain essential fatty acids that prevent oxidative damagei It boosts skin aging process, such as wrinkles and sagging through an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in the body. , inflammation, UV damage, and skin barrieri It is the outermost layer of the skin protecting the body against external factors, such as sunlight and pollution. degeneration. Almond oil helps prevent itching and soothes the skin (5). All these vegetable oils may also have a similar effect on the scalp and help maintain optimal scalp health.
5. Protects Hair From Heat Damage
You can use a few drops of any vegetable oil as a hair protectant. The vegetable oil coats the hair and shields it from damage caused by heat-styling tools. It also adds shine and bounce to the hair and shields it from environmental damage. Tina Tomato, a Youtuber, talks about her experience of massaging her hair with castor oil for 30 days. She notes that she noticed her hair and bangs grew an inch. She adds that though there wasn’t really any change in the thickness and volume, she noticed improvement in her hair appearance and look. She adds, “It just looks more lively and bouncier. And you can kinda tell that from the way that the hair falls.and it seems that there’s a healthier shine to it as well…I think my hair does feel stronger and especially my scalp feels healthier… my scalp was always kinda itchy and now, after applying castor oil, my hair just feels very fresh (i).” Vegetable oils contain essential nutrients that are beneficial for your overall and hair health. Let’s take a look in detail.
What Are Vegetable Oils Composed Of?
Vegetable and plant oils are composed of essential fats and nutrients like (5):
Triglycerides (boost skin hydration) Free fatty acids like oleic acid (act as permeability enhancers) Tocopherols (antioxidants) Phospholipids (act as permeability enhancers and anti-inflammatory agents) Squalene (emollient and natural antioxidant) Linoleic acid (maintains skin barrier) Polyphenols (like catechins, trans-resveratrol prevent oxidative damage) Phenolic alcohols (like flavonoids, lignans prevent oxidative damage)
All these ingredients in different vegetable oils work together to maintain scalp and hair health. In the next section, learn the ways to incorporate vegetable oils into your hair care routine.
How Can I Use Vegetable Oil For Hair Growth?
Note: Use any cold-pressed and virgin vegetable oil (like coconut, jojoba, avocado, sweet almond, olive, castor, sunflower, grape seed, and sesame oils) of your choice for the masks. Avoid cooking oil. Also, adjust the quantity as per the hair length.
1. Beer And Oil Mask
Beer is often used as a post-wash hair rinse to add shine and improve hair smoothness. Mixing it with any vegetable oil enhances its hair conditioning properties. You Will Need
200 ml beer 1 tablespoon of any vegetable oil
Method
2. Eggs And Vegetable Oil Hair Mask
Egg yolk contains water-soluble peptides that can promote hair growth and prevent female pattern hair loss (6). This hair mask will help maintain hair health and prevent hair loss. You Will Need
The yolk of an egg 1 tablespoon of any vegetable oil (preferably castor oil)
Method
3. Vegetable Oil And Avocado Hair Mask
Mashed avocado is often used in hair masks to help lubricate the hair strands. You may mix olive, coconut, or jojoba oil for additional hair nourishment. You Will Need
1 tablespoon of olive oil 1 tablespoon of coconut or jojoba oil (optional) 1 mashed avocado The yolk of an egg (optional)
Method
4. Banana And Vegetable Oil Hair Mask
Bananas offer a rich supply of magnesium, potassium, and silicon (7) (8). Silicon compounds, including silica, enhance the strength of the outer hair layer. This protects hair from damage and gives it a radiant appearance (2). It also keeps your hair moisturized and hydrated (9). You Will Need
1 ripe banana 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
Method
- Mash the banana in a bowl. 2. Add the olive oil, adjust as needed. 3. Apply the mask evenly from the roots to the tips of your damp hair. 5. Cover with a shower cap and leave it to rest for 30 to 45 minutes. 6. Rinse with cool water. 7. Wash with a mild shampoo and conditioner to remove any residue. 8. Use weekly for optimal results. These are the ways to use vegetable oil for maintaining hair health. However, you can also oil your hair directly. In that case, you should leave it on for a specific time for the optimal benefits. Read the next section for more details.
How Long Should I Leave Vegetable Oil On My Hair?
You may leave the oil on your hair for a minimum of 1-2 hours. However, if you prefer an overnight application, you can leave it on for not more than 6-7 hours. Beyond that, your scalp and strands will gather dust and dirt, and the oil may clog the hair follicles.
Does Vegetable Oil Help With Dry Hair?
Yes. Vegetable oils are excellent hair conditioners. They can penetrate the hair shaft, nourish the hair from within and smoothen the raised cuticles for softer and smoother hair. Vegetable oil is also beneficial for maintaining and moisturizing processed and colored hair. How do you make your hair grow overnight with vegetable oil? As with all ingredients, your hair will not grow overnight after you use vegetable oil just once. You will see noticeable results after using them like regular hair growth oils for a few months consistently. How do you wash vegetable oil out of hair? Rinse your hair with warm water. Warm water opens your hair shafts and the pores on your scalp, making it easier to remove the oil. Use a clarifying shampoo to thoroughly cleanse your hair and scalp. Wash it off with warm water. Repeat the process if your hair is still greasy. Should I comb my hair after oiling? No. Your hair becomes relaxed and fragile after an oil massage or hot oil treatment, and combing may cause hair breakage. Is it better to apply oil to dry or wet hair? Applying oil to dry hair helps effectively nourish it and address its damage and dryness. But ensure your hair and scalp are clean so that the oil is absorbed properly. Can I oil my hair every day? No, oiling your hair every day can make it greasy and attract dirt. Hence, it is recommended to oil hair twice a week. Which oil is best for hair growth and thickness? Coconut oil is ideal for promoting hair growth and thickness. Its lauric acid, essential vitamins, and fatty acids may help nourish the scalp and remove sebum buildup from hair. Experience a wash day like no other! Explore the use of vegetable oil as a pre-poo treatment. Discover the truth about its impact on natural hair—did it cause damage or deliver stunning results? Find out now in the following video!
