Aloe vera is a short stemmed, succulent plant mostly found in tropical and subtropical climates. It has thick spiky leaves with a gel in the center. Aloe Vera is a household name that has gained so many accolades in the beauty industry. It is popularly known for its numerous benefits on health, skin and hair.
Aloe vera, apart from being made of 99 percent of water, is rich in amino acids, minerals and vitamins needed to aid hair growth and prevent breakage. Aloe vera gel cleanses, nourishes, conditions and strengthens the hair. It hydrates the hair by trapping in moisture (humectant). Glycoproteins found in this miracle plant help speed up healing by stopping pain and reducing inflammation. It is therefore helpful in battling scalp inflammation. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help improve scalp health, help control dandruff and reduce hair fall.
If it's harvested at home in its natural form, prepare a quantity that will be used right away and keep any leftover for not more than a week in the refrigerator. The gel can be obtained by breaking off a leaf, scraping off the middle gel and juicing in a blender.
Ways To Use Aloe Vera For Hair
Aloe Vera as a Pre-poo treatment
It can be used as a pre-poo treatment on its own or in combination with oils of choice. Few drops of essential oils and lemon juice can be added for their extra benefits. This help eliminate any build up on the scalp, making it feel clean and refreshed. Proceed to wash with your favorite shampoo after leaving it on for about 20 minutes. Your scalp will feel so much alive and rejuvenated.
Aloe Vera as a scalp soother and a 'dandruff control serum'
The gel when applied directly to the scalp delivers a calm and soothing sensation. It helps to relieve an itchy and irritated scalp. It also contains proteolytic enzymes that clears dead skin cells and extra oils on the scalp thereby stimulating growth of new tissue. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties helps keep dandruff at bay.
Aloe Vera shampoo
Aloe vera can make an awesome moisturising shampoo. Some shampoos, even sulphate free ones can leave the hair feeling stripped off. A table spoon or two can be added to your favorite shampoo for an added moisture.
Aloe Vera as a conditioner
The moisturising ability of aloe vera makes it an ideal all natural conditioner. It leaves the hair feeling soft and smooth.
Prepare equal parts of aloe vera gel and water in a spray bottle, shake well and use as a daily leave-in or hair refresher. It feels non greasy and doesn't weigh the hair down. Since it is a humectant, it keeps the hair hydrated by locking in moisture. You can also add a teaspoon of your favourite condtioner and some oils of choice.
The penetrative property of aloe vera allows it to seep into the scalp and nourish it thoroughly. The gel can be added to other ingredients like lemon juice, olive oils, coconut oils, castor oil, eggs and honey respectively making a wonderful deep treatment for the hair. Mix together equal parts of aloe gel and any of the afore mentioned ingredients. Apply the mixture thoroughly to the hair , leave it in for about 30 minutes and rinse the hair.
Aloe Vera as detangler
If your conditioner hasn't got enough slip, adding aloe vera gel can boost its slip and serve as a great detangler. If you want to go all natural, just add some coconut oil to your aloe gel to make your detangling session a cool breeze.
Tips About Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, apart from being made of 99 percent of water, is rich in amino acids, minerals and vitamins needed to aid hair growth and prevent breakage. Aloe vera gel cleanses, nourishes, conditions and strengthens the hair. It hydrates the hair by trapping in moisture (humectant). Glycoproteins found in this miracle plant help speed up healing by stopping pain and reducing inflammation. It is therefore helpful in battling scalp inflammation. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help improve scalp health, help control dandruff and reduce hair fall.
If it's harvested at home in its natural form, prepare a quantity that will be used right away and keep any leftover for not more than a week in the refrigerator. The gel can be obtained by breaking off a leaf, scraping off the middle gel and juicing in a blender.
Ways To Use Aloe Vera For Hair
Aloe Vera as a Pre-poo treatment
It can be used as a pre-poo treatment on its own or in combination with oils of choice. Few drops of essential oils and lemon juice can be added for their extra benefits. This help eliminate any build up on the scalp, making it feel clean and refreshed. Proceed to wash with your favorite shampoo after leaving it on for about 20 minutes. Your scalp will feel so much alive and rejuvenated.
Aloe Vera as a scalp soother and a 'dandruff control serum'
The gel when applied directly to the scalp delivers a calm and soothing sensation. It helps to relieve an itchy and irritated scalp. It also contains proteolytic enzymes that clears dead skin cells and extra oils on the scalp thereby stimulating growth of new tissue. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties helps keep dandruff at bay.
Aloe Vera shampoo
Aloe vera can make an awesome moisturising shampoo. Some shampoos, even sulphate free ones can leave the hair feeling stripped off. A table spoon or two can be added to your favorite shampoo for an added moisture.
Aloe Vera as a conditioner
The moisturising ability of aloe vera makes it an ideal all natural conditioner. It leaves the hair feeling soft and smooth.
- Leave In Conditioner/Hair spray
Prepare equal parts of aloe vera gel and water in a spray bottle, shake well and use as a daily leave-in or hair refresher. It feels non greasy and doesn't weigh the hair down. Since it is a humectant, it keeps the hair hydrated by locking in moisture. You can also add a teaspoon of your favourite condtioner and some oils of choice.
- Deep Conditioner
The penetrative property of aloe vera allows it to seep into the scalp and nourish it thoroughly. The gel can be added to other ingredients like lemon juice, olive oils, coconut oils, castor oil, eggs and honey respectively making a wonderful deep treatment for the hair. Mix together equal parts of aloe gel and any of the afore mentioned ingredients. Apply the mixture thoroughly to the hair , leave it in for about 30 minutes and rinse the hair.
Aloe Vera as detangler
If your conditioner hasn't got enough slip, adding aloe vera gel can boost its slip and serve as a great detangler. If you want to go all natural, just add some coconut oil to your aloe gel to make your detangling session a cool breeze.
Tips About Aloe Vera
- Once aloe vera leaf is cut from the plant, it quickly undergoes an oxidation process that leads to degradation of its active enzymes and nutrients.
- Properly strain aloe gel after blending in order to eliminate any pieces that can get caught up in the hair.
- Aloe vera gel when kept cold can prolong its shelf-life. Store in an airtight container up to a week in the refrigerator.
- Below the aloe leaf is a yellow sap (aloe latex) that is very irritating to the skin. Completely wash off before use.
- Commercial forms of Aloe vera come in gels, juices, capsules, ointment, creams and lotion. They are usually heavily packed with preservatives and therefore can be stored for longer periods.
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