When you think of olive oil, your mind may instantly go to the Mediterranean diet or as a dip for bread. However, this liquid gold can also offer benefits to your strands when used properly.
Instead of applying pure olive oil to your scalp, experts recommend incorporating a product that contains the ingredient in formulas that are made for hair and scalp health. Here are some of the most popular options.
Moisturizing
For those with textured or curly hair, olive oil can help keep your strands healthy. It’s a great way to hydrate your hair and scalp, which helps combat frizz and kinks. The hydrating properties of the oil can also help strengthen your hair, preventing breakage. You can use a regular amount of olive oil as a conditioner, or look for hair masks and products that include it.
But before you slather on the EVOO, be careful that you’re using a high-quality product. And remember, you’ll need to wash your hair thoroughly afterward to prevent a greasy appearance.
If you have fine or thin hair, you may want to avoid a full-on oil treatment because it can weigh down your hair. But if you’ve got dry, thick hair that’s prone to frizz and kinks, it could be beneficial for you. And if you’re dealing with dandruff, it’s said that the oil can soothe your scalp and relieve itching and flaking.
Before you apply the oil, warm it up in your hands and massage it into your scalp and hair for a few minutes. Then, either wrap your head in a hot towel or cover it with a shower cap and leave the oil in for about 15 minutes. When you’re ready to remove it, be sure to use a wide-toothed comb or brush to make the process easier, and shampoo your hair rigorously to remove all the oil. After you’ve washed it away, your hair should feel softer and smoother. It’s also possible that the oil will add some shine to your locks.
Strengthening
Olive oil is believed to strengthen hair by penetrating the strands and helping them retain moisture. It’s also a natural emollient, which means that it helps to soften and smooth strands and make them more manageable. This may help to reduce split ends, a common cause of damage and breakage for many hair types.
Many people with curly, natural, or color-treated hair have reported that using olive oil for their strands makes them feel and look healthy and vibrant. This is believed to be due to the fact that the oil may help to smooth out the outer cuticle of the strands, which can leave it looking glossy and fuller.
In addition, olive oil is believed to strengthen and protect the follicles, which are responsible for the growth of new strands. It may do this by preventing the build-up of toxins in the hair follicles and stimulating dead follicles into producing new hair. It may also help to reduce the effects of oxidative stress on the scalp and hair, which can lead to loss or thinning of strands.
To take advantage of the alleged strengthening qualities of olive oil for hair, massage between 1/8 to 1/4 cup of oil into your strands and scalp. Be sure to use a quality extra virgin olive oil, since regular supermarket varieties have undergone significant processing and will be low in nutrients.
Be sure to comb through your hair thoroughly afterward and then shampoo to rinse it all out. If you can, try to wait a day or two before washing again. Leaving the oil on for too long can make it look greasy and may result in breakage.
Anti-Inflammatory
One of the many olive oil benefits is that it nourishes and protects your hair while also preventing any sort of damage. The antioxidant-rich nature of the oil helps boost your scalp and hair health, which means it can help prevent dryness and brittleness as well as any damage caused by heat or over-styling. It is also a natural conditioner, which makes it incredibly useful in treating and smoothing damaged or broken ends.
The oleic acid and squalane in the oil are both considered emollients, which have softening properties that can help to moisturize your hair. In fact, squalane is an ingredient in many popular skincare products due to its ability to hydrate skin and lock in moisture. This moisturizing property of olive oil can be especially helpful for drier, coarser or thicker hair types.
In addition to nourishing and protecting your hair, olive oil can also be used as a hot or cold oil treatment. Simply add a small amount of the oil to your damp hair and cover it with a shower cap or plastic wrap, leaving it on for at least 15 minutes. You can then wash it out with your regular shampoo. Repeat this process a few times a week for the best results.
Another benefit of using olive oil is that it can help reduce dandruff. The oil nourishes the scalp and lubricates it, which can help to take care of any dandruff problems you may have. It can also help to eliminate any fungus that might be causing your dandruff. In addition, the antioxidants in the oil can help to stop the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a hormone that can cause hair loss and breakage by attacking the follicles.
Anti-Bacterial
Olive oil is loaded with antioxidants that are good for your hair and scalp. This makes it a natural conditioner that can help reduce breakage and damage caused by over-styling and heat. You can also use it to prevent dryness by applying it to your locks on a regular basis.
The vitamins and minerals in olive oil can also help to nourish your hair and improve its condition. This can also help to keep it supple and soft, which can make it easier to manage and style.
In addition, olive oil can help to prevent and treat dandruff by nourishing the scalp. Dandruff is a common issue that can lead to itchy and flaky scalps. Regularly using olive oil can help to prevent and treat a dry and irritated scalp, which can help to eliminate the causes of dandruff.
The phenolic compounds in olive oil can have anti-bacterial properties that can help to protect your hair and scalp from harmful microbes. This can be a helpful way to prevent and treat dandruff and other hair problems, such as scalp infections or fungal overgrowth.
While you can apply olive oil directly to your scalp and hair, it may not be the best idea if you have fine or thin strands. This is because it can weigh them down and cause them to look greasy. It is better to opt for products that have olive extract or oil in them, which will give you the benefits of this ingredient without weighing down your strands.
Anti-Aging
Olive oil is an effective anti-aging treatment for hair because it helps to hydrate the scalp and strands, reducing frizz, tangles and split ends. The vitamin E in the oil can also help to smooth the strands, preventing them from becoming dull or damaged and creating a healthy-looking shine.
The antioxidants in olive oil may also help to protect the hair from sun damage. While more research is needed, one study in mice found that using olive oil to treat hair and skin exposed to UV radiation was protective and reduced the number of skin tumors that developed.
However, it’s important to note that not everyone will see the same benefits from using olive oil as a conditioner or styling ingredient. People with fine or thin hair, for example, may find the oil too heavy and can make their strands look greasy or weighed down with regular use. Additionally, people with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis should avoid olive oil because it can encourage the yeast that causes these conditions to thrive.
If you’re interested in trying olive oil as a hair and scalp treatment, start by choosing a high-quality extra virgin olive oil that is free of any additives or processed ingredients. Then, either apply it to your scalp and strands or use it as an ingredient in a hair mask. If you do choose to apply the oil directly to your hair or scalp, make sure to comb it through with a wide-toothed comb beforehand so that you don’t get a tangled mess. If you prefer, there are a variety of dermatologist-recommended shampoos and conditioners available that include the benefits of olive oil.
