Nobody loves bad hair days.
Unfortunately, if you have damaged hair, every day of the week feels like a struggle to style your hair to perfection.
And the thing is, hair damage comes from a lot of things. There isn’t just one culprit to blame. For one, it can come from a lacking diet.
Without proper amounts of folic acid, zinc, and iron, your locks would suffer. Damage can also come from improper hair care, excess use of styling tools, overwashing, and overprocessing.
All of these can weaken your hair cuticles and strip their natural oils.
Fortunately, there’s one thing that can help you relieve the damage: aloe vera hair masks.
4 Benefits of Using Aloe Vera Hair Masks
Aloe vera is a versatile plant that can help in multiple facets of beauty.
That’s why it’s called the “wonder plant.”
And when you turn aloe vera into a hair mask, you get most of its benefits.
Compared to regular conditioners, aloe vera hair masks contain more oils and beneficial ingredients. Trust me, it does a better job than common conditioners. Making this part of your hair care routine can help relieve the daily damage your locks get.
Here are some of the benefits from using an aloe vera hair mask…
1. Moisturizes, Nourishes, and Strengthens the Hair
Aloe vera is an excellent alternative to hair conditioners.
Experts say that the pH level in aloe vera is the same in natural hair. Aloe vera also contains vitamins and minerals for example: B-12, C, E, folic acid, along with a high water content, which combine efficiently to strengthen, nourish, and moisturize your hair. It also has proteolytic enzymes that can scrub dead skin cells from your scalp.
2. Healthier Scalp
Aloe vera possesses antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties to reduce and fight inflammation and dandruff conditions.
Inflammation and dandruff occurs when skin on the scalp flakes. This can happen because you don’t shampoo enough. Sensitive and irritated skin are also factors to consider when you have dandruff. Excess oils and dirt also contribute to this.
Luckily, aloe vera can deep cleanse and moisturize the scalp. It strips off excess sebum, dirt, and residue from other products. This can help prevent or get rid of dandruff.
In short: Aloe vera works as an excellent hair and scalp clarifying treatment.
3. Treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disease that happens on the surface. It looks like a swollen, greasy, and flaky rash. Dandruff is a mild form of this condition.
Studies show that regular application of aloe vera on the affected area treats the disease by reducing itchiness and dead skin cells.
4. Promotes Hair Growth and Prevents Hair Loss
There is a lack of sufficient evidence when it comes to the effect of aloe vera on hair growth. There have been claims of longer hair because of the use of this. The thought is that the aloe vera cleans the scalp which fosters healthy hair. Another idea is that it can stimulate blood flow to the scalp. This improves oxygen delivery and nutrition to hair follicles.
It’s safe to say that aloe vera prevents hair loss than promotes hair growth. There have been claims that people who use aloe vera on their hair notice it becoming stronger and healthier. This reduces the chances of hair breakage.
Aside from hair benefits, the aloe vera plant also extend to other areas of your body. The plant gel is often applied topically rather than ingested. The most common use is to quickly heal burns. Studies say that it can effectively heal first- to second-degree burns. This is why many people apply aloe vera on sunburns.
Aloe vera is also a great product to add to your skincare routine. It’s a great alternative for cream moisturizers. It keeps your skin hydrated and clear. Some initial evidence also shows that aloe vera can slow down skin aging. A study found that applying aloe vera can increase collagen production. This improved the skin’s elasticity and prevented wrinkles.
Having an aloe vera plant in your house can save you money. It can be used in many things. From health to beauty to hair, the plant can almost do it all. But if you do want a ready-made aloe vera gel, this is the best one. You can use it on your skin or as a hair mask.
There are many different aloe vera hair mask products on the market. But there are some that are just better than others.
With Garnier’s Ultimate Blends Aloe Vera Hair Mask, you get to enjoy aloe vera in three ways. One as a conditioner, second as a leave-in conditioner, and third as an excellent hair mask. With just one use, you can immediately enjoy up to four times shinier and healthier hair.
This product has 98% natural origin ingredients. The remaining two percent is for preservation and sensoriality. Aside from aloe vera, it is also formulated with tons of other healing and nourishing plant oils. These include coconut oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, and grapefruit extract. More than that, this formula is also 100% vegan and is 98% biodegradable.
When using it as a mask, leave it on your hair for five minutes or longer. Then rinse it out properly afterward. This will leave your locks intensely nourished, irresistibly soft, and wonderfully healthy. It’ll be a great addition to your weekly hair care routine to repair damages and to keep your locks nice and healthy.
DIY Aloe Vera Hair Mask Recipes
The Garnier Ultimate Blends Aloe Vera Hair Food is a great aloe vera hair mask on its own. However, if you want an extra flourish to your hair from home, there are multiple homemade aloe vera hair mask recipes you can do yourself.
Each recipe can do something different to your hair.
Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil Hair Mask
The coconut oil heightens the ability to soften but strengthen your hair. It will leave it shinier and less frizzy.
What you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil
Instructions:
- Pour the coconut oil in a pot or saucepan. *If you’re using solid coconut oil, you can melt it in the microwave.
- Add the aloe vera gel. Stir until it becomes a smooth paste.
How to use:
- Apply the mask to your hair. To make sure the product is spread evenly, you can divide your hair into sections
- Start from the middle portion of the section and work your way to the ends. Pay close attention to the ends since they are usually the most damaged
- After this, you can work on your scalp. (If your main concern is scalp health, it’s better if you start there)
- To make the spread more even and deeper, comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb
- Then, cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap. This will lock in the product. Wrap a towel around the cover. These will lock in the product, keep it from dripping, and prevent your hair from drying out
- Leave the mask on for 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Thoroughly rinse your hair. Aloe vera gel can leave a filmy residue
- You can use this once a week to improve hair vitality
Aloe Vera, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Honey Hair Mask
This recipe will help with an itchy and flaky scalp. There have been claims that apple cider vinegar can treat dandruff. The honey is believed to lock in moisture and smoothen hair.
What you’ll need:
- 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Instructions: - Mix all of the ingredients together until they form a smooth paste.
How to use:
- Apply the mask to your hair. To make sure the product is spread evenly, you can divide your hair into sections
- Since the focus of this mask is to scalp health, begin applying the product on the scalp
- Run a wide-toothed comb through your hair for even distribution
- Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap. Then, wrap it with a towel
- Leave the mask on for 20 minutes
- Rinse the product thoroughly
- Use this every other week
** Yogurt can be an alternative to apple cider vinegar. Make sure it’s plain, full-fat, and unsweetened.*
What you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes only. For best results, use this mask once a week.
Takeaway
If you want rich and beautiful hair at a low-cost, use an aloe vera hair mask.
It’s affordable, easy to use, and versatile. You can use it on its own or you can follow my recipes above to get the most out of it.
Aloe vera gives your hair a clean break when nothing else seems to work.
Give it a try and see how your hair flourishes in all its glory.
References and Citations:
- Watson, K. (2017, August 24). Aloe Vera for Your Hair: What Are the Benefits? . Retrieved Febuary 7, 2020, from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/aloe-vera-for-hair
- Cherney, K. (2018, January 4). How to Stop Hair Breakage. Retrieved February 7, 2020, from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-breakage
- Dresden, D. (2017, August 27). How is aloe vera good for hair? . Retrieved February 7, 2020, from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319114.php
- Fanous, S. (2016, September 6). 7 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera. Retrieved February 7, 2020, from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/7-amazing-uses-aloe-vera
- Hatfield, H. (n.d.). 8 Ways You’re Damaging Your Hair. Retrieved February 7, 2020, from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/8-ways-youre-damaging-your-hair#1
- Hickman, J. M. (2019, January 14). Everything You Need To Know About Using Aloe Vera For Hair. Retrieved February 7, 2020, from Elle: https://www.elle.com/beauty/hair/a25860228/aloe-vera-for-hair-benefits/
- Leech, J. (2017, May 28). What are the benefits of aloe vera? Retrieved February 7, 2020, from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318591.php
- Natural Healers. (n.d.). Aloe Vera: The Ultimate Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2020, from Natural Healers: https://www.naturalhealers.com/holistic-health/aloe-vera-ultimate-guide/
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Dandruff. Retrieved February 8, 2020, from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/symptoms-causes/syc-20353850
- Sissons, B. (n.d.). Hair breakage: 10 causes and ways to repair. Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325026.php
- Raypole, C. (2019, August 16). The Benefits of an Aloe Vera Hair Mask and How to Make One. Retrieved February 7, 2020, from Healthline:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/aloe-vera-hair-mask
Author Info:
Shehnaz
Beauty Editor at Botoxforhair.net