Aloe Vera acts as a deep conditioner to the hair. It provides smoothness, softness, shininess and helps detangling frizzy hair. On top of being more than helpful for the skin it is also a gem for the hair.
Improves scalp health
– Aloe Vera on scalp help with dandruff, itchy scalp, seborrheic dermatitis.
According to this study, the fatty acids present in Aloe Vera help resolve scalp inflammation conditions, seborrheic dermatitis*, that can also cause dandruff.
Thanks to aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can help reduce many scalp-related inflammatory symptoms such as dry scalp, itchiness, and irritation.
*Seborrheic dermatitis: it is an inflammatory skin condition, very similar to dandruff, with some added symptoms (such as scaly patches, red skin, itchy scalp, flaking skin under hair, greasy hair).
Aloe Vera balances pH on your scalp
Aloe Vera’s pH range is equivalent to your hair and scalp’s one. Therefore, using Aloe Vera regularly on your scalp and hair can improve the overall health of your hair.
Strengthens hair
Aloe Vera naturally contains many vitamins and minerals that promote strong hair growth. It is rich in vitamin A, B12, C, E, folic acid and choline. These compounds prevent from weak roots, strengthen the hair follicle by nourishing it accordingly.
Prevents hair fall
Aloe Vera naturally contains B12 and folic acid. These compounds present in aloe vera gel can prevent your hair from falling out.
Provides moisture and softness to the hair
Aloe vera helps to reduce moisture loss from your hair. Along with moisturizing the hair and scalp it also increases the softness of the hair while reducing frizziness. The hair becomes more manageable and super smooth.
Prevents greasy hair, cleansing properties
Instead of over stripping the natural oil from your hair unlike chemical products (and damaging the skin’s natural barrier which then cause to more greasy hair), aloe vera helps clean the scalp gently by preserving the scalp’s natural barrier.
Aloe Vera contains enzyme that strips off extra sebum residue from the hair by breaking down fats. Aloe Vera can safely be used as a mild cleansing agent for your hair. While having cleansing properties, aloe vera keeps the hair soft and shiny at the same time.
Hair Growth
According to many anecdotes and traditional usage of aloe vera, it is claimed that the aloe vera gel boost hair growth.
Aloe Vera gel is loaded is vitamins, minerals (such as zinc and copper) and proteolytic enzymes. Applying the gel topically to the scalp nourishes it, thus stimulating dormant cells in the hair follicle to grow faster, healthier, and stronger.
Moreover, a compound called aloenin found in Aloe Vera is known to improve hair health and hair growth.
Consistent application is key to see results.
UV protection hair
According to this study, Aloe Vera has UV provides UV protection for all types of hair. UV damaged hair can lead to breakage, and loss of elastin and shininess from the hair. However, Aloe Vera by offering UV protection, it can preserve the overall health of the hair follicle.
Careful
Never take Aloe latex or Aloe Vera whole leaf extract orally.
The Aloe latex (the yellowish liquid of the aloe vera) and the whole leaf extract (obtained from grinding the entire leaf, which include the gel and the latex at the same time) can have several harmful effects on your health.
Taking aloe latex or the whole leaf extract in high doses and also for several days can cause to kidney diseases and can also potentially cause to cancer.
The latex itself contains anthraquinones which is harmful for the health. In a test where mice were fed with latex over several days, tumour promotion was noticed.
According to this study, Aloe Vera whole leaf extract (the gel and the latex) have carcinogenic effects in rats.
Moreover, diarrhea, cramps and pain are also part of the adverse effects of the latex and the whole leaf extract. (mainly caused by the anthraquinones found in the latex, which have a laxative effect).
If you plan on buying an aloe vera juice, be sure it is purified, organic, decolourised and that is also safety tasted.
According to this study topical and oral application of aloe vera can cause skin irritation, and hives for some people, especially those who are allergic to plants in the lily family (Example; tulips and onion).
– Aloe Vera juice has laxative properties; hence it is not recommended for pregnant women.
How to extract the raw aloe vera gel from the plant’s leaves:
- Make sure you are working with a mature Aloe Vera plant. Its green leaves should be at least 20cm long.
- Cut off an Aloe Vera leaf: use a sharp knife and cut off one leaf of the plant.
- Clean off the latex: When you have cut off the leaf, the aloe latex (a yellowish substance) will appear. This substance is not aloe vera and you should get rid of it because it may not affect your health in a positive way.
- Cut off the narrow-pointed end of the cut leaf
- Repeat the previous rinsing process from the latex
- Remove the hard spine edges with the help of a knife
- Remove the top and bottom skins of the Aloe vera with a knife
- Scoop out the gel: with a spoon or a knife
- Place the gel in a container and place it to the refrigerator.
- N.B: Even though aloe vera is considered pretty safe, always do a patch test before use.
DIY RECIPES
– Aloe Vera as a Hair conditioner
This mixture along with moisturizing yor hair it givs smoothness and shininess to the hair).
Aloe Vera + Argan oil + (optional) 1 tbsp of honey (adds softness to the hair)
Add 10-15 drops of Argan oil to ½ cup of Aloe vera gel . Mix them well together. Transfer the liquid into a pump bottle. Apply this hair conditioner on wet hair after shampoo. Put the mixture on the palm of your hand, spread it out across your hands first before putting it on your hair. Apply it thoroughly to the mid and end section of your hair. You can either let the conditioner stay on your hair if the mixture is applied a little and without the honey or leave it for 3-5 minutes and rinse it with shampoo for the last time.
-Control Frizziness / as a hair detangler
You can use the same mixture of aloe vera + argan oil as a hair detangler too.
-Dandruff mask
This mask works also for itchy scalp
Mix together 2 tbsp of aloe vera gel, 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp of rose water, and 1 tbsp of honey (it helps adding a smoothing effect).
Apply the mask at your scalp thoroughly, rinse it after 25-30 minutes.
Use this mask once a week.
-Aloe Vera for hair growth
Mix 1 tbsp of Aloe Vera gel with 1 tbs of castor oil. Apply it to your scalp by massaging and to your ends. Cover your hair with a towel. Leave it for at least 3-4 hours. Rinse it with shampoo.
Repeat this process once a week.
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