A 2013 study with 50 participants found that people who used aloe vera gel to treat superficial and partial thickness burns showed better results than the group that used a 1 percent silver sulfadiazine cream. (healthline.com)
Based on Dr. Greenfield, a dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group, you can use aloe vera up to twice daily. There are few risks of using aloe vera daily except for allergies so a patch test or usage in low concentration is recommended first.
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Aloe vera has been widely crowned by many people as a ‘wonder plant’ for at least the past 6000 decades because of its vast healing properties. Most people know aloe vera for its benefits to skincare and digestive system but not so much for how it benefits the hair as well.
Risks Of Using Aloe Vera
Before reading on about the daily application of aloe vera on hair, it is important to know that external usage of aloe vera usually does not carry any risk or inflict undesirable side effects but there might be some of us who are unknowingly allergic to it even though it is a natural product.
Before deciding to use aloe vera in the long term, you might want to consider carrying out a patch test. Rub a small portion of aloe vera on the inside of your wrist and wait up to approximately two hours to see how your skin reacts to it. If you happen to experience any rash or itching on your skin, do consult a doctor because it would most probably mean that you are having an allergy reaction to aloe vera (source: healthline.com).
For those of you who are allergic to garlic, onions, or tulips, there will be a very high chance of you being allergic to aloe vera as well so I would encourage you to conduct a patch test before using aloe vera topically!
Experts’ Stand On Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been clinically proven to be gentle and safe for topical use so various hair experts have given their stamps of approval for daily application of aloe vera into the hair as they believe aloe vera could be the key to having soft and healthy hair.
- Dr. Greenfield, a dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group, found that aloe vera does indeed promote hair growth by curbing scalp inflammation.
- In addition, aloe vera encourages healthy hair because of how well it conditions and moisturizes both the hair and scalp. She suggests applying a liquid-based aloe vera formula onto the scalp and hair up to twice a day to realize the full benefits of aloe vera.
- Blaisure, a certified trichologist of Bosley Professional Strength, recommends aloe vera to be used on the scalp and hair as a mild cleanser because it would effectively remove oils and make the hair feel soft and look shiny. She noted how richly packed aloe vera is with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids it boasts.
Benefits Of Applying Aloe Vera Daily On Hair
Richly packed with minerals, vitamins, and many other essential substances, there can be close to no doubts about how aloe vera has proved beneficial to the health and condition of hair.
- Strengthens hair strands
Packed with three essential vitamins — vitamins A, C, and E — that promote cell turnover, aloe vera ensures healthy hair cell growth. Vitamin B-12 and folic acid are also found in aloe vera and both of these substances strengthen hair in order to prevent it from falling out.
- Promotes hair growth
Rich in proteolytic enzymes that heal and repair damaged cells in the scalp, aloe vera promotes healthy hair follicles and boosts hair growth. In addition, applying aloe vera directly onto your scalp increases blood circulation to that area, which in turn promotes better hair growth.
- Cleanses hair thoroughly
Aloe vera effectively cleanses hair follicles and gently removes extra sebum and residue from other hair products that have been previously applied to your hair.
The salicylic acid in the plant helps get rid of dead skin cells and bad bacteria on your face. It's lightly exfoliating and won't rub your skin raw. (greatist.com)- Soothes itchy scalps
Fatty acids found in aloe vera have anti-inflammatory properties that effectively soothe scalp inflammation caused by dandruff. In addition, aloe vera possesses antifungal properties and has a high water content that enables it to lock in nutrients and hydration in order to tackle hair problems such as dandruff.
How Should Aloe Vera Be Used every day?
Source: pinterest.com
With aloe vera boasting so many wondrous benefits to the hair, aloe vera can be applied onto your hair every day without worries. But if you are incorporating aloe vera into your hair care routine for the first time, I suggest you start off by applying it onto your hair no more than 3 times a week and see how your hair reacts to it (source: curlsandcocoa.com).
Aloe vera can be used on the hair in so many different ways and the recommended weekly usage of this natural ingredient varies depending on the method of aloe vera application you choose to adopt.
- Hair masks
One of the most popular ways of incorporating aloe vera into hair care routines would be to create hair masks by mixing aloe vera gel with other beauty-boosting ingredients that can be commonly found at home.
Source: pinterest.com
For hair growth
- Castor oil
- Egg
For dandruff
- Coconut oil
- Lemon juice
For split ends
- Yogurt
- Honey
For detangling hair
- Coconut oil
- Distilled water
For Additional Anti-Inflammatory
- Shea Butter (1/2 cup raw Shea Butter 2 tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel 1 tablespoon apricot oil 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil 5 drops lavender essential oil 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil Once a week)
Massage the hair mask of your choice into your scalp and hair after shampooing and leave the mixture in your freshly washed locks for approximately 30 minutes before rinsing it off with mild shampoo.
Applying hair masks infused with aloe vera should be used once or twice a week in order to achieve strong and shiny hair. Using hair masks every day will weigh your hair down and you might end up with greasy hair, which would be another hair concern for you to fret about!
- Direct application
Some people prefer to apply aloe vera gel directly into their hair because of how convenient and time-friendly this method can be in an attempt to achieve soft and healthy hair.
You can apply aloe vera gel directly into your scalp and hair every day if you want to, but you should take into consideration your hair condition and how your hair reacts to aloe vera gel.
Source: aliexpress.com
Leaving overnight
Apply aloe vera gel in your hair before going to sleep and wash it off the next morning. You might want to consider wrapping up your hair in a cloth before heading to bed in order to avoid staining your pillow and sheets with aloe vera gel.
Rinsing off
Rub the aloe vera gel into your freshly washed scalp and hair and let it get absorbed for approximately 15 minutes before washing it off with mild shampoo.
- Essential hair products
Source: Lazada.sg
If creating your own hair masks infused with aloe vera and applying aloe vera gel directly into your hair does not seem like the right options, you can always simply purchase shampoos and conditioners that have added aloe vera in their mixtures.
Using such essential hair products that are infused with aloe vera would be a great and convenient way for you to realize the benefits that aloe vera provides for your hair!
Alicia Goh