Natural Oils for Your Hair

                                                                                                   Image from madamenoire.com

Little did I know that I could use natural oils on my hair everyday!! A lot of ladies with very long hair, some with waist length hair, do no have a regimen without natural oils. Natural Oils seem to be the icing on top of the cake in the hair care industry. I have tried coconut oil, olive oil and castor oil and I must say ...............wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww to all these so far!! Works great especially for dry hair. Some other oils I am yet to try myself but which thousands have used in their hair, and you can also try out are:

Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is particularly great for natural and relaxed hair. It’s loaded with nutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, B, D, and E.  And it’s excellent for moisturizing, deep conditioning, improving hair strength, strengthening hair, and boosting shine.

Castor Oil: Castor oil thickens hair, promotes hair growth, prevents thinning, moisturizes, helps reduce split ends, helps to tame frizz, and prevents scalp infections.

Jojoba Oil: Derived from the seed of the jojoba plant, this liquid wax is similar in composition to sebum; the moisturizer/conditioner naturally produced by our bodies. Unlike most other oils used in hair growth treatments, jojoba oil does not penetrate the hair. Rather it seals the hair follicle to seal in moisture. Breaking up crusted sebum build-up is how jojoba benefits hair health. Crusted sebum makes hair brittle and creates a blockage at the root.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is great for preventing dandruff, promoting hair growth, moisturizing, strengthening hair, thickening hair, and preventing damage.

Lavender Oil : As well as being the most popular essential oil, lavender is also considered to be one of the most effective natural treatments for the prevention of hair loss. Its ability to combat Alopecia areata (a common condition responsible for excessive hair loss) allows for considerable re-growth within months of regular use. Along with the preventative effects, lavender oil is a powerful antiseptic. The disinfecting properties of the oil not only treat many scalp conditions, but also fight microbes, fungi and other viruses.

Olive Oil (Extra Virgin Olive Oil): Olive oil, which is also referred to as the “godmother of hair oil,” is great for moisturizing, deep conditioning,  improving hair strength,  eliminating dandruff, and also has powerful antioxidants that can help fight hair loss.

Rosemary Oil: Rosemary oil is great for stimulating hair follicles for hair growth, preventing hair loss and greying, preventing dandruff, strengthening hair, and boosting shine.

Fish Oil: Containing 2 essential omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fish oil has long been known to be a critical component for health as our own bodies do not produce these acids themselves. The list of health benefits from fish oil is long and impressive. Although there hasn’t been sufficient enough research done on the benefits of fish oil on hair growth to establish a direct link, it is suggested that the nourishing effects the oil has on the skin would also apply to the hair. Unlike other essential oils, fish oil is not used topically. It is taken in a softgel form and puts its healing powers to use from the inside out.

Emu Oil: This all natural oil is derived from the emu; a flightless bird similar to an ostrich. Emu oil has been used for generations in Australia by aboriginal tribes for its regenerative and therapeutic properties. Its potent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial aspects break up residue around the hair promoting better hair and scalp health. Emu oil can also facilitate a 300% increase in cellular activity in the hair creating more resilient, livelier hair without a complex brew of chemicals that strip and damage hair.

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil (commonly known as melaleuca oil) in a diluted solution helps to unblock clogged pores on the scalp. It also moisturizes the skin, conditions the hair and its anti-bacterial properties protect the skin from bacterial and fungal infections. By promoting the general health of the hair and scalp as well as boosting the body’s entire immune system, tea tree oil is very effective in healing damaged hair and allowing it to grow long, thick, strong and healthy.

Safflower Oil: Safflower oil protects hair, nourishes hair follicles, moisturizes, and stimulates blood circulation to promote hair growth and thickness. And it is extremely beneficial for natural as well as dry chemically treated hair.

Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet almond oil works great as a “sealant.” This means that it “locks-in” moisture. Sweet almond oil also nourishes hair, smoothes hair cuticles to control shedding, promote hair growth and thickness, prevents hair loss, and boosts shine.

There are a lot more natural oils available that give great benefits to both relaxed and natural hair. Some oils are heavier than others and the use to which one puts it depends on the type of hair one has. The scents of some of these oils are also too strong to use on your hair every day. These oils can be used for deep conditioning, hot oil treatments, pre-poos, sealing in moisture, flat ironing, massaging the scalp, etc, etc. Some such as olive and coconut oil are even ingested to work inside out!! Our very own palm oil and palm kernel oil have been used by some ladies on their journeys and they swear by it!

Most of these oils are available in cosmetic shops, pharmacies and shopping malls. Don't be afraid to mix these natural oils together for use. But if you do not want to make your own mix, there are many pre-blended scalp massage oils and hot treatment oils available on the market that you can try. 

Remember, first use a good moisturising lotion or cream (water-based is the best) and then seal in the moisture with a virgin natural oil. Remember that a little goes a long way because you don’t want your hair “frying” after all!!