Avocados aren’t just for guacamole anymore. The benefits of avocado have gone way beyond the kitchen and reached the bathroom shelf. Avocado oil is growing in popularity for its use in hair care. But Is avocado oil good for hair growth?
Does rubbing this green fruit on your head actually lead to long, flowing locks? Let’s explore the potential of avocado oil for growing hair
Avocado Oil for Hair: The Benefits
If you’re looking to boost hair health and growth, avocado oil may be just what your strands need. Avocados are nutritional powerhouses for the body, but the oil from this green fruit can also provide amazing benefits when used on your locks.
There are quite a few reasons why avocado oil may be beneficial for our hair. Here are some of the top ways avocado oil could give your hair a boost:
1. Moisture for Dry Hair
Avocado oil is extra moisturizing for dry, damaged hair. It contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that helps seal in hydration. The thick and creamy texture coats each strand to prevent moisture loss. Using avocado oil can make hair softer, smoother, and shinier.
2. Nutrients to Promote Growth
Avocados are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, as well as B vitamins. Avocado oil retains many of these nutrients. The vitamins and minerals nourish hair follicles and stimulate growth. It also provides proteins, amino acids, iron, copper, magnesium, and folic acid that hair needs to grow strong.
3. Repairs Damage from Styling and Processing
Heat and chemical treatments like blow-drying, straightening, perms, coloring, and highlights can damage hair. Avocado oil may help repair split ends and broken strands by penetrating the cortex. It also adds protein to reinforce weak spots prone to breakage.
4. Great for Curly Hair
Using avocado as a natural hair conditioner is especially beneficial for those with curly hair prone to dryness and frizz. The fatty acids help smooth the cuticle and moisturize to enhance curl definition and cut down on frizz.
5. Scalp Health for Hair Growth
A healthy scalp means healthy hair growth. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in avocado oil help reduce scalp irritation. Massaging the oil into the scalp can increase blood circulation and relax the area for optimal hair follicle health.
Research shows avocado oil’s proteins, minerals, and antioxidants penetrate deeply to stimulate follicles and increase growth when massaged into the scalp and hair regularly. While no oil guarantees hair growth, consistently using pure avocado oil maximizes your potential for strong, fast, healthy hair growth.
Avocado Oil vs. Coconut Oil for Hair
Coconut oil is another popular oil for hair growth. So which one is better – coconut or avocado? The answer largely depends on your hair type. Here’s a quick rundown:
- For dry or damaged hair – avocado oil is more moisturizing
- For thin or oily hair – coconut oil is lighter
- For frizzy hair – avocado oil has emollient properties to smooth
- For dandruff-prone scalps – coconut oil has antifungal properties
- For deep conditioning – avocado oil penetrates better
- For heat protection – coconut oil has a higher smoke point
In general, avocado oil is a heavier oil that adds more moisture, while coconut oil is lighter and less greasy. Combining the two oils can give you the best of both worlds!
Can You Use Cooking Avocado Oil for Hair?
If you already have avocado oil in your pantry for cooking, you may wonder if you can just use it in your hair. The answer is yes – pure, unrefined avocado oil has the same benefits whether you cook with it or massage it into your scalp.
Just be sure to check the label and use 100% pure avocado oil, not a blend. Any product labeled as “virgin” or “extra virgin” avocado oil is cold-pressed and unrefined, meaning it retains all its nutrients. Refined avocado oils may be better for cooking but lose some hair benefits.
Using your edible avocado oil is an easy way to enjoy the hair perks without having to buy a separate beauty product. Just be careful not to grease up your locks before dining!
How to Use Avocado Oil for Hair Growth
Ready to try avocado oil for yourself? Here are some simple ways to incorporate it into your hair care routine:
- Hot oil treatment – Apply avocado oil to dry hair and scalp. Cover with a shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes, then shampoo out. Try doing this weekly.
- Overnight treatment – Rub oil into your hair and scalp before bed. Wrap hair in a silk scarf or cap and wash out in the morning for extra moisture.
- Leave-in conditioner – After shampooing, apply a few drops of avocado oil to wet hair. Comb through and air dry as usual.
- Pre-wash – Massage oil into scalp and ends before your shampoo. This helps lubricate and protect.
DIY masks – Mix avocado oil with ingredients like banana, coconut milk, egg, or honey for a nourishing hair mask. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing
Using Avocado Oil as a Hair Treatment
From the kitchen to the bathroom, here are some ways to use avocado oil for hair:
Overnight Conditioning
Massage oil into dry hair and scalp before bed. Cover with a shower cap or silk scarf to allow deep conditioning overnight. Shampoo in the morning and enjoy softer locks!
Hot Oil Treatment
Apply avocado oil to dry hair. Cover with a heated towel or shower cap for 30 minutes. The heat allows better absorption into hair follicles for intense hydration.
Leave-In Conditioner
Eliminate frizz and flyaways by using avocado oil as a natural leave-in conditioner. Just apply a few drops to wet hair after washing. Comb through and let air dry.
Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Rub avocado oil into your dry scalp and hair before shampooing. This will lubricate and protect strands while washing. Focus on the ends to prevent split ends.
DIY Hair Masks
For an extra nourishing treatment, blend avocado oil with other ingredients like banana, coconut milk, egg, honey, or argan oil. Apply the mask to hair for 20 minutes before rinsing out.
Avocado and Egg for Hair Growth
The proteins in eggs combined with the vitamins and fatty acids in avocado oil makes for an ultimate hair growth mask. Leave this on for 30 minutes 1-2 times a week for strengthened strands.
Fresh Avocado For Hair
While avocado oil is great for hair, you can also use the fresh fruit. The pulp of fresh avocados contains antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that can nourish hair in a similar way to the oil. Using a fresh avocado hair mask allows these nutrients to be more easily absorbed by the scalp and hair follicles.
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To make a mask, simply mash up half an avocado in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 egg yolk, mixing well to combine. Apply the mask evenly throughout damp hair, massaging into the scalp.
Pile hair on top of your head and cover with a shower cap. Let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cool water. Shampoo as normal. The egg proteins will strengthen while the avocado fat moisturizes for silky soft hair. Use this rejuvenating avocado hair mask 1-2 times per week.
Best Avocado Oil For Hair
Here are some tips on choosing the best avocado oil for hair:
- Look for cold-pressed or unrefined avocado oil. This means the oil was extracted without the use of high heat, so it retains all its nutrients. Refined avocado oils may be better for cooking but lose some benefits for hair.
- Virgin or extra virgin avocado oil also ensures the product is unrefined. This is the purest and highest quality option.
- Avoid avocado oil blends. Opt for 100% pure avocado oil to get the most out of the ingredients for your hair.
- Organic avocado oil is ideal to ensure no pesticides were used on the avocados. Organic, unrefined avocado oil has the most hair health benefits.
- Check reviews and choose a reputable brand. Not all avocado oils are created equal, so look for good customer feedback on the quality.
- Look for avocado oil sold in dark colored bottles. This prevents the oil from becoming oxidized and losing nutrients when exposed to light.
- Compare prices. Pure avocado oil can range from around $6 to $30 for a few ounces. Expect to pay more for organic and high quality.
Some top options for the best avocado oil for hair include:
Using a high quality, pure unrefined avocado oil will provide the most moisture, vitamins, and fatty acids to support strong, healthy, shiny hair.
In Summary:
Is avocado oil good for hair growth? The Verdict: Yes! While no oil can miraculously change your natural hair growth rate, regularly using avocado oil provides many benefits that will maximize your hair health and growth potential.
The vitamins, minerals, proteins and moisturizing properties in avocado oil make it a fantastic nourishing and repairing treatment for all hair types. So next time you make some guacamole, save a little avocado oil to grow your flowing locks!
FAQs:
What’s the best time to apply avocado oil for hair growth?
Apply at night and leave in overnight for deep conditioning.
Does avocado oil help with dandruff?
Yes, the vitamin E soothes and moisturizes the scalp.
Can you use avocado oil daily?
Yes, it’s gentle enough for daily use. Focus on your scalp for growth.
Is avocado oil better than olive oil for hair?
Avocado oil penetrates hair better thanks to its fatty acid content.