Aloe very is a very powerful and amazing natural plant that has so many benefits for our body, skin, feet and hair.
Aloe plant includes many beneficial contents like vitamins, minerals, plant steroids, fatty acids, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory elements. All of them make aloe vera an exceptional ingredient in many skincare and haircare products.
Benefits of Aloe Vera for Hair
- Aloe vera juice for hair stimulates blood circulation, which increases oxygenation of hair follicle. That improves overall health and strength of your hair;
- Aloe Vera has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties which assist in dandruff treatments;
- People use aloe vera for scalp treatment. When you apply gel directly to scalp, it moisturizes dry skin and prevents skin from flaking;
- Aloe vera is used successfully in treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, when your scalp skin has pinkish-red rash and crusty scales. Hair and skin always look dirty, oily and hair has flakes all over;
- Add aloe vera in shampoo, it will moisturize and nourish your hair;
- Or you can buy natural aloe vera shampoo and conditioner, you will notice that your hair will become healthier and shinier.
Who should not be using Aloe Vera?
- There is always a concern with individual allergies and sensitivities like with anything else we use. Always try a new ingredient on a small part of your skin and look for any reactions (itchiness, redness, swelling)
- People who take other medications or supplements that cause photosensitivity (when your skin becomes too sensitive to sun and can burn easily) should not use aloe vera, because it can worsen sensitivity to light and sun.
1. DIY Aloe Vera Shampoo
Many homemade shampoo recipes include liquid castile soap. There are many debates going on out on the internet and many people sharing their experiences. Castile soap is a vegetable soap that contains olive oil, water and lye. Even though the composition seems mild, many people report having coarse, tangled hair after using this type of soap.
Many people report that their previously oily hair became even oilier after they started using castile soap for hair washing. This actually makes sense (same as with oily skin): castile soap removes natural hair oils forcing hair follicle and oil glands to produce more oil to moisturize hair and prevent it from drying.
I do believe that castile soap strips off your natural oils making hair dry, tangled and unmanageable. I am also sure that it increases your hair pH making it too alkaline (that is why many DIY recipes suggest that you use apple cider vinegar rinse after washing hair with castile soap – you need to reduce pH. Otherwise your hair will be end up tangled, dry and damaged).
I personally tried washing my hair with liquid castile soap and had a bad experience. I read that some people do not mind this type of soap and do not have any problems.
So, it is totally up to you. If you have no issues with washing your hair with castile soap, then all is good. However, in this post I will offer you a recipe of Aloe Vera Shampoo without castile soap.
And actually without any soap. Because soap is not good for your hair (it has high pH and your hair need acidic environment).
You will need to take your favourite shampoo as a base and enrich it with aloe vera, so you can enjoy the benefits of this wonderful plant.
Ingredients:
1 cup (about 150 ml) of your shampoo
5 tablespoons of aloe vera juice
2 tablespoon of raw warmed honey
Method
I prefer to take a small bottle that is suitable for a shampoo and make a batch that will last me no longer than 5 days without a fridge. You can cut ingredients in half or even more to accommodate that.
- In a small bottle combine all ingredients
- Shake well so all ingredients mix together
- Wash your hair as usual massaging your scalp for 2-3 minutes or longer
- Shelf life is no more than 5 days, but if your aloe vera shampoo smells “funny”, do not use it
2. Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil Mask for Healthy Scalp
Ingredients:
1 large leaf from aloe vera plant
1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil (or you can substitute with olive oil)
Method:
- Cut aloe vera leaf in half with a knife and using a spoon or a knife collect the gel in a small container
- Mix well with oil
- Rub the gel and oil mixture directly to the scalp, leave for 1 hour
- Wash off with warm water, shampoo your hair as usual
- You can repeat this mask 2-3 times a week.
3. Deep Conditioning Honey and Aloe Vera Hair Mask
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of aloe juice
1 tablespoon of honey
1 egg yolk
Procedure:
- Mix all ingredients together
- Apply to hair and scalp
- Cover hair with plastic bag and then cover with warm scarf
- Leave for deep conditioning for 20-30 min
- Rinse off well with warm water
4. Honey and Aloe Vera mask for chemically treated, frizzy, damaged hair
This hair mask will help you to restore hair’s shine and moisture.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of aloe juice
1 tablespoon of honey
1/2 avocado (mashed with fork)
1 tablespoon of olive oil (or almond oil)
1 tablespoon of heavy cream (18% or 35%)
Method:
- Mix all ingredients together
- Apply to dry hair
- Cover hair with plastic bag and then cover with warm scarf
- Leave for deep conditioning for 30-45 min
- Rinse off well with warm water
- Do this mask twice a week for better results
Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
I have to be honest; there is no published research that proves that any haircare product stimulates hair growth. Hair growth depends on your genetics and your overall health.
Having said that, it is still vital to use hair masks in your haircare routine. Hair masks will help your hair to grow stronger and healthier.
5. Aloe Vera Hair Mask for Hair Growth – # 1
Ingredient:
1 large leaf of aloe vera plant
½ litre of water
Method:
- Cut fresh leaf and add it to a pot with boiling water, boil both for 10 min
- Turn stove off and let mixture cool down
- Strain mixture to obtain clear aloe vera infused liquid
- Use cotton swab (or a special brush) to apply aloe mixture to hair roots. Apply to the whole head
- Do not rinse off. Style as usual
- Keep mixture in the fridge for a week. Use daily for 6 weeks to see results
6. Aloe Vera Hair Mask for Hair Growth – # 2
One of the ingredients in this mask is mustard powder. It helps stimulate blood circulation which in return stimulates hair follicle and improves hair health.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of aloe juice
1 teaspoon of honey
1 teaspoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of mustard powder
Method:
- Mix all ingredients together
- Apply to hair roots with a brush
- Cover hair with plastic bag and then cover with warm scarf
- Leave for 30-40 min
- Wash off with warm water and shampoo as usual
7. Hair mask with Aloe Vera for Dandruff
Aloe juice moisturizes scalp, that helps to reduce dryness and flakiness of scalp skin. Also aloe vera has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which make it an essential ingredient when treating dandruff.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of aloe juice
1 tablespoon of honey
1 teaspoon of castor oil
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Method:
- Mix all ingredients
- Slightly warm up in microwave and apply to hair roots
- Gently massage into scalp and leave for 30 min
- Wash off with warm water, shampoo as usual
Where can you buy aloe vera plant, juice and gel?
There are many natural stores that sell those products. You can also buy them online from the stores like Amazon and Ebay.
As for the plant itself, check your local nurseries and flower shops. Sometimes I see those plants in local supermarkets. You can also check ethnic stores. I used to buy aloe vera leaves from Jamaican and Filipino stores and they were wonderful.
If you would like to learn more about Aloe Vera, please, read the following posts:
How to Use Aloe Vera for Face and Acne post will explain all benefits of aloe, how to incorporate aloe into your skincare routine, which products to consider for the best results and where to buy them.
7 Amazing Homemade Beauty Products with Aloe Vera also explores benefits of aloe for skin and offers you different recipes of homemade skincare products with aloe .
Stay beautiful!!!!