This article explores how vegetable oils benefit your hair and how you can incorporate them into your hair care routine. Keep reading. 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
Vegetable oils (like sunflower and coconut oils) condition the hair. 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 XTelogen 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 X 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 XIt 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. 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 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 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. If you are using the oil with a hair mask, you may leave it on for at least 30 minutes, especially if you have dry and damaged hair.
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 hair growth after using the oil 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 scalp becomes relaxed and fragile after an oil massage, 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.
