Aloe Vera for Natural Hair Care - Uses & Benefits

I've done some online research on aloe vera and have compiled the below information. There are a great many ways to use aloe vera gel and juice to maintain healthy hair and I have listed them below.

Quick Facts About Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera is a spiky plant native to southern and eastern Africa and is part of the lily family. It has yellow flowers and pulpy leaves with jagged edges. The clear gel found within the leaves is used topically to treat burns and other ailments. There are approximately 300 known species of the plant, although aloe vera (or "true aloe") is the species renowned for its moisturizing properties. Cleopatra is rumored to have used it to keep her skin smooth and supple. It is believed that the combination of enzymes, amino and fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and other substances are what give aloe vera its healing properties.

Aloe vera gel is commonly used as a moisturizer for skin because it can help trap and lock-in moisture. Aloe vera gel can be purchased from many stores, especially health food outlets, and can be used on its own or mixed with other products for hair application. These products will also help keep your hair moisturized, which will help prevent damage and will keep your hair from drying out. 

Aloe Vera Gel Benefits for Hair

Reduces dandruff: relieves sore, itchy and flaky scalp

Nourishes and moisturizes: moisturizes and protects both the hair and scalp leaving it soft and shiny

Promotes hair growth: stimulates growth of new and existing hair

Prevents hair loss: slows and in some cases prevents hair loss

Ways to use Aloe Vera for Hair Care

Step 1 - Overnight Treatment

For superb hydration, leave aloe vera juice in your hair overnight. You can mix it with cold-pressed oils such as olive or avocado for extra conditioning. Wet your hair with the mixture, put your hair in a shower cap, and drift off to sleep. In the morning, rinse well (if you used pure juice) or shampoo and condition (if you added oils).

Step 2 - Shampoo

The quickest and easiest way to incorporate aloe vera into your hair care routine is to mix some aloe vera gel with the shampoo you already use. The easiest way to do this is to use half the amount of shampoo you would normally with twice that amount of aloe vera gel. For those of you who prefer actual measurements, take 1 tablespoon of commercially available aloe vera gel and add it to 8 ounces of shampoo (of your choosing). Mix well with a spoon and then shampoo your hair as you would normally.

Step 3 - Conditioning

Instead of your regular conditioner, whip up this moisturizing, light aloe vera conditioner. To do this,  use 1/4 cup aloe vera gel and combine with the juice of 1/2 lemon. Mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil(s) for fragrance and extra moisture  Apply this mixture to freshly shampooed hair; leave it in for three to five minutes, and then rinse it out.

For the lazy at heart, or those w/o lemon juice, simply add aloe vera gel to your regular conditioner as per the shampoo method above =)

Step 4 - Deep Conditioning 

Make a deep-clean conditioner. Combine equal parts of olive oil and aloe vera gel and then comb it through your hair. Leave it in for 30 minutes and then rinse it out.

Step 5 - Leave-In Conditioner 

Use as a "leave-in" conditioner. To do this, apply aloe vera gel to your hair (this is most effective after shampooing it first) and massage it in. Because sweat can cause the gel to run and get into your eyes, it is best to avoid athletic activity for a few hours after application. Many people put the gel in just before they go to bed. 

OR

KimmayTube's Leave-In Conditioner

Everyone RAVES about this recipe online! A friend of mine pointed me in this direction as she found that it did wonders for her hair so I am very excited to try this as soon as I get me my aloe vera juice!

The recipe uses:

• 2 Tbsp Leave-in conditioner ('Kinky Curly Knot Today' is the original condish used)
• 2 Tbsp Aloe vera juice
• 2 Tsp Jojoba oil (may be substituted with coconut oil if you have no jojoba oil)
• 2 Tsp Castor oil 

Mix together and apply to hair.

Many Vids are available on Youtube for this so feel free to have a look if needs be.

Step 6 - Styling 

Use as a styling product. By adding a small amount of aloe vera gel to your hair after styling it, you can add natural shine to your hair and help lock in moisture. Rub a small amount (penny-sized dollop) between your hands and then distribute evenly over your hair.

Aloe Vera is also Great For:-

If you're not particularly interested in using aloe vera as per the above, then you can try the following to deal with particular hair issues that may be plaguing you.

Dandruff

People who suffer from dandruff, which is characterized by a flaky, itchy scalp, should consider aloe vera for relief. Causes of dandruff include stress, diets high in sugar and low in fats, excessive blow drying and shampooing hair in hot water. Aloe vera works to prevent or cure dandruff. Apply the juice or gel directly to your scalp, and rub it in well. You can add a few drops of tea tree oil for extra potency. Leave in overnight and shampoo out the following morning.  Repeat this several times a week for two weeks, or until the problem goes away.

Irritated Scalp 

The gentle, soothing feeling of fresh aloe vera juice is wonderful for itchy, irritated or sunburned scalps. Break a leaf and squeeze it directly onto hair (or simply spray your scalp with your store bought aloe vera juice). Rub it gently into the scalp and leave in. Reapply whenever the irritation resurfaces.

Aloe Vera Scalp Treatments

There are many benefits to using aloe vera on hair, but it can be used as a scalp treatment as well. If you don't have aloe vera gel handy, you could put aloe vera leaves in a juicer to extract the juice. If you apply this to your scalp and gently massage it in before rinsing it off, you should be able to see a noticeable change in the condition of your scalp and hair in about two to three months. It is best to leave the aloe gel or juice on for at least two hours before rinsing or washing your hair. This method is effective for scalp issues and can be used to not only treat hair loss, but to promote hair growth as well. Aloe vera contains an enzyme that promotes hair growth by stimulating the hair follicle. For those of us who want longer locks faster this is a useful option.

If you find that your hair is thinning, aloe vera is not only a natural remedy to help reduce hair loss, but it can also be useful in treating the scalp for things like sunburn. Our hair usually protects our scalps against damage from the sun, but if your hair is thinner than normal or if you are bald, you may need a little extra help. If your scalp becomes sunburnt, a little aloe vera gel can help relieve the pain and soothe the skin as well.

 Hair Loss

Aloe vera has been heralded as a treatment for hair loss, due to many of the vitamins and minerals found within the plant mimicking the chemistry of the human body. In addition, chemicals can hasten hair loss, so eliminating hair products with harmful ingredients will allow damaged hair follicles to heal. For an at-home treatment, pour a small amount of an herbal shampoo into a bowl and add two times the amount of aloe vera gel (for best results, use a 100 percent stabilized aloe vera gel vs. the actual aloe vera plant.)

Hair Growth 

In addition to halting hair loss, aloe vera is believed to promote the growth of new hair. Aloe vera balances PH levels and stimulates scalp enzymes, which in turn prompts hair growth. To gain this benefit, massage aloe vera into the scalp and leave in for 30 minutes before rinsing. Over time, the scalp will shed the dead hair follicles and new hair follicles will grow in their place.

Hair Dyes 

If you are using powdered hair dye, aloe vera gel can be mixed with the solution beforehand to combat the drying properties of the dye.


Have you been using aloe vera in your hair care regimen? If so, pray do tell *-*