The aloe vera plant is a succulent plant and can be found naturally in different areas around the world. It contains a variety of benefits and uses. From the aloe vera plant, you can extract the gel or juice. Its healthful properties grant aloe vera popularity in both hair care and skin care. The benefits of aloe vera for natural hair are plentiful.
The aloe vera plant consists of numerous nutrients throughout the layers of its leaves. Those nutrients include a variety of vitamins and minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and more. Nutrients like these contain many nourishing properties that transfer to your strands, benefiting the health of your hair in a range of ways. It is important to note before using aloe vera, try a test patch on a small part of your skin to make sure there is no allergic reaction or sensitivity.
Here is a more thorough look at the amazing benefits of aloe vera for natural hair:
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1. Moisturizes dehydrated hair
Naturally curly, coily, and kinky hair has a proneness to being drier in texture. The twirls and bends throughout our natural hair strands create a more difficult travel for the oils produced at the root to reach the full length of our hair. Aloe vera makes a great fix for this. To reap the full benefits and nutrients from the plant, it is best to use fresh aloe vera gel to replenish moisture back into your strands. Completing an aloe vera hair mask on occasion may be a favorable option.
The gel derived from the aloe vera plant is widely used in skin care as a facial moisturizer, as it contains certain enzymes that additionally provide moisturizing and nourishing benefits for the hair.
2. Can benefit the overall health of your hair
Due to aloe vera’s high content of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, etc., these nutrients and their nourishing properties transfer to your hair and can benefit the overall health of your strands. The various vitamins that aloe vera contains (vitamins A,C,E,B12) play a role in the maintenance of different body functions. Vitamin B12 for example, aids in cell production which can in turn benefit the health of your hair strands. Amino acids are an important part in the composition of protein. Our hair is made of protein, so the amino acids present in aloe vera can additionally help to promote stronger strands.
3. Alleviates frizz
Aloe vera has a very soothing property, hence its use for alleviating sunburn and other skin concerns. The consistency of the aloe vera gel aids in smoothing the hair cuticle to alleviate frizz and flyaway’s. Its natural moisturizing properties help to retain moisture in your hair, limiting frizz caused by dehydrated strands or a raised hair cuticle. You can even use aloe vera for natural hair as conditioner. Add other oils in with the aloe vera gel or juice mixture for a restorative treatment.
4. Helps to promote hair growth
The lack of certain nutrients in our diet like iron, vitamin C, etc. can cause hair loss in some individuals. Aloe vera contains vitamin B12, zinc, and other nutrients that can help to fill in this gap and lessen hair loss. Aloe vera has also been found to stimulate blood flow circulation to an applied area. When applied to the hair and scalp, it helps to stimulate blood flow circulation at the roots. Aloe vera’s moisturizing capabilities and other nourishing ingredients additionally creates a healthy foundation for hair growth.
5. Used as a remedy for itchy, dry, or irritated scalp
If you find that your scalp is itchy or constantly dry, aloe vera can help to soothe an irritated scalp. Aloe vera contains natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. For the scalp, it helps to alleviate dandruff, itchy and dry scalp, and calm other scalp irritations thanks to the fatty acid ingredients. The antibacterial property of aloe vera additionally helps to keep your scalp cleansed, helping to promote good hair health and allow for unrestricted growth.
6. Balances the pH of your hair
The pH (potential hydrogen) of our hair measures the levels of acidity, alkalinity, or neutrality of it. The natural pH of hair is between 4.5 and 5.5. Your hair’s pH can affect the health and appearance of it. Certain products and habits can throw off our hair’s pH levels, leading to certain problems including scalp conditions, excessively dry hair, and more. Nonetheless, once aloe vera is applied to the hair it naturally balances its pH. The result is smooth, soft, and hydrated strands.
Where to Find Aloe Vera for Natural Hair:
Aloe vera plant:
Extracting the gel from a fresh aloe vera plant can provide more benefit and preserve more of the source’s natural nutrients. It is a succulent plant, so you can grow and maintain it right at home. You can find an aloe vera plant at your local floral shop. You can even buy it online but there is an increased risk for the plant arriving damaged, etc.
Aloe vera gel:
Commercial aloe vera gel is also available online or at other wellness stores. Many commercial aloe vera products do contain the natural aloe vera gel and extracts, however, there are often preservatives included to extend the gel’s shelf life. This aloe vera gel features 99.75% cold-pressed organic aloe vera in it and comes in a convenient container that makes it easy to add to DIY hair masks, conditioners, and more.
Aloe vera juice:
Aloe vera juice additionally provides multiple benefits for natural hair. Use it as a spraying mist to provide and lock in moisture in your hair. You can buy it online, from a vitamin store, grocery store, etc. Here is a good option of aloe vera juice you can use for moisturizing hair mists,etc.
What are your thoughts on using aloe vera for natural hair? If you have tried it, did you like the results?
References:
1Surjushe, Amar, Resham Vasani, and D G Saple. “ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW.” Indian Journal of Dermatology 53.4 (2008): 163–166. PMC. Web. 29 Sept. 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
2Lawrence, Rubina, Priyanka Tripathi, and Ebenezer Jeyakumar. “Isolation, Purification and Evaluation of Antibacterial Agents from Aloe Vera.” Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 40.4 (2009): 906–915. PMC. Web. 29 Sept. 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768575/
3Healthline. (2018). Aloe Vera for Hair: Benefits for Hair Growth. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/aloe-vera-for-hair#benefits-for-hair [Accessed 29 Sep. 2018].
