The avocado fruit is termed a ‘superfood‘ by the world’s leading diet gurus because of its rich nutritional value.
Avocado oil for hair has recently received much attention and interest from all quarters.
I had previously read a lot about the health benefits of avocado fruit and its oil for cooking, but little did I know then the greatness of avocado oil in hair treatment.
There are preliminary observational studies, and user feedback suggests that using avocado oil for hair is a surefire way to improve texture and decrease hair dryness.
The benefits of this oil for hair are mostly attributed to the great hair growth nutrients present in it. It is beneficial for hair as cooking oil and externally applying it on hair.
According to a report published in the Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Journal, avocado oil has received a prescription status in France because of its ability to reduce the effects of arthritis.
What is Avocado Oil?
The avocado oil is extracted from the fruit of the avocado tree.
Interestingly, it is not obtained from the seeds, unlike most other edible oils. This oil is pressed from the fleshy pulp surrounding the pit of the avocado fruit. It is an excellent cooking oil because of its high smoke point, healthy fats, nutrients, and antioxidants. This oil is equally beneficial for skin and hair health because of its good nutritional value and moisturizing capacity.
The lubricant nature of monounsaturated fat in this oil adds shine and moisture to the hair.
Like the ‘superfood’ status that avocado fruit enjoys, avocado oil is also among the top 5 best cooking oils. Its benefits to health, hair, and skin are very much akin to that of coconut oil.
Studies have found the effectiveness of avocado oil in preventing the development of high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, diabetes, and obesity; it is also good for reducing oxidative stress and adverse effects of arthritis.
This pale green oil can lower heart disease and stroke risks because of its monounsaturated fat. This oil’s rich amount of Vitamin E makes it useful for hair and skin.
Consumption of avocado oil improves the absorption of nutrients and vitamins, which include the nutrients required for hair growth.
Different Usages of Avocado Oil For Hair
Avocado oil for hair is beneficial in multiple ways. It nourishes the hair and adds shine and beauty to hair. Here are the main usages of this oil for hair:
Use It As Wholesome Hair Oil:
It is a fantastic hair oil that nourishes and enriches the hair with nutrients and vitamins.
Using Avocado Oil as Moisturizer:
Avocado oil is a good solution to dry and brittle hair. This oil penetrates deep into hair strands and strengthens the hair; it forms a cover around each strand to retain moisture. The monounsaturated fat in avocado oil is the moisturizing agent.
Use It for Adding Shine and Volume to Hair:
The monounsaturated fat in this oil brings shine and a healthy appearance to the hair. It thickens the dry hair with moisture to give an instant increase in the volume of hair.
Use for Detangling the Hair:
If you have long and tangled hair, you can detangle the hair by applying avocado oil to the full length of the hair. Apply this oil before combing the hair; the moisturizing and lubricating effects of the oil loosen the tangles.
Use Avocado Oil as a Hair Conditioner:
Before you start shampooing the hair, add a few drops of avocado oil to the shampoo you will use. It works like a regular conditioner to make your hair rich with moisture and shine.
Use Avocado to Get Rid of Dandruff:
Avocado oil contains antifungal properties that can reduce dandruff infection. Mixing a few drops of tea tree oil into the avocado oil you apply to your hair makes it possible to eliminate dandruff within a few weeks.
Benefits of Avocado Oil for Hair
Avocado oil, just like coconut oil for hair or castor oil for hair growth, is effective for hair nourishment and preventing hair loss.
Nurturing healthy and beautiful hair is important for everyone who cares for personal beauty and appearance. Unfortunately, many of us face excess hair loss and premature graying that leads to the erosion of self-confidence and loss of personal style.
People with hair also often face problems like dandruff, dry and dull hair, discoloration, split ends, tangled hair, and much more.
Natural oils from plant extracts have been the best solution for all common hair-related issues. People worldwide have used different plant oils for thousands of years to nourish and beautify hair.
Avocado oil is one of the best hair oils that help to promote the healthy growth of hair and stop hair fall. This oil is also excellent for moisturizing and strengthening dry and dull hair.
Most hair oils have sticky fats that do not suit all hair types. However, avocado oil with monounsaturated fat makes the hair healthy and beautiful without leaving a heavy, oily, or fatty residue on the hair.
This oil is gentle on hair and usually does not cause any skin irritation or discomfort. Even the smell and feel of this oil are nice and comfortable for all.
Avocado oil contains most of the essential hair growth vitamins and nutrients. It has antibacterial properties that can prevent many of the common scalp infections that cause hair loss or stunted growth of hair.
Avocado oil is also a good substitute for regular hair conditioners and shampoo. People’s experience with avocado oil suggests the effectiveness of this oil in preventing premature graying and dryness of hair.
Several hair treatments for different hair issues use avocado oil as a primary ingredient in combination with essential oils and herbal extracts. For instance, a mixture of avocado and tea tree oil is a potential remedy for dandruff and head lice.
Hair Vitamins in Avocado Oil
One of the leading causes of hair loss in most individuals is poor nutrition and weak hair due to external damage.
Eating foods with avocado oil (as cooking oil or flavoring agent) helps our body acquire several essential vitamins for hair nourishment.
Avocado oil has more monounsaturated fat than olive oil; oils with monounsaturated fat moisturize and strengthen the hair.
Here are the amounts of different hair growth vitamins (per 100 grams) present in this oil:
- Vitamin A (carotene) 370 -870 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 08 – 0.16 mg
- Pyridoxine (B6) 19 – 0.26
- Pantothenic acid (B5) 78 – 1.2 mg
- Folic Acid (B9) 022- 0.105 mg
- Ascorbic acid (C) 0 – 13.0 mg
- Niacin (B3) 05 – 2.42 mg
- Biotin (B7) 3 – 4.2 mg
- Vitamin E 8 -4.2 IU
- Thiamine (B1) 08 – 0.125 mg
- Choline 0 – 22.2 mg
Does This Oil Work?
Avocado oil is rich in E and B Complex Vitamins that matter a lot for hair and skin health. You can use this oil for cooking or flavoring food and as hair oil; both ways, it benefits hair.
Massaging this oil onto the scalp allows the oil to penetrate deep into the epidermis and activates the follicles; the hair shafts and scalp absorb the phytosterols, monounsaturated fat, antioxidants, and vitamin E.
The monounsaturated fatty acid in avocado oil is a rich nutrient for the faster growth of hair.
Avocado oil massage on the scalp activates the dormant hair follicles and opens up the pores on the scalp. Massaging the scalp increases the blood flow into the hair roots, which helps the hair follicles to receive more nutrients required for hair growth.
This oil contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that heal infections and prevent inflammations on the scalp.
There is a need for extensive clinical trials and research to unravel the full potential of avocado oil hair treatment; till then, we have only user feedback to rely on.
Methods to Use Avocado Oil on Hair
There are various methods of using avocado oil for hair, especially in combination with any essential oils or beneficial herbal extracts. Here are some of the most popular hair treatments with it:
- Daily scalp massage with avocado oil improves blood circulation and unblocks the clogged pores on the scalp.
- Apply the cold-pressed avocado oil on the full length of hair to add shine and moisture to the hair. It is the best natural alternative to chemical-rich hair conditioners.
- Use Avocado oil to flavor your foods, dress the salad, and cook your favorite dishes and meat recipes.
- Use this oil and essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, tea tree, etc. Different oil combinations with avocado oil will produce specific hair treatment results.
- Take a teaspoon of glycerin, a slice of vegetable oil soap, and one or two tablespoons of avocado oil; mix them well. Applying this mixture to hair will help moisturize dry hair and make it glow.
Hair Mask Treatment
If you have dull and dry hair, the avocado hair mask treatment can positively change your hair.
The dryness of hair can instantly vanish with the moistening effect of the monounsaturated fat in avocado oil. This oil also helps to make the hair thick and glossy.
The age-old traditional avocado therapy uses avocado fruit pulp for the hair mask treatment. The oil and fat in the fruit pulp have a conditioning effect on the hair. The nutrients in the avocado fruit nourish the hair and prevent hair loss.
A hair mask treatment with avocado oil produces a similar effect to a fruit mask. This is especially beneficial for getting rid of dryness and dullness in hair.
You can treat the avocado oil mask at home by following the procedure below.
The ingredients required:
- Avocado oil: 2 tablespoons
- Egg white: 1 egg
- Honey: 1 tablespoon
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Tea Tree Oil: 5 drops
Stir the ingredients till they turn a thick consistency. Apply the mixture on the scalp and the full length of hair with a suitable brush. If you have long hair, bundle it on top of the head and cover it with a soft towel to avoid the hair mask spreading onto your neck and clothing.
Let the mask stay on the hair for at least 30 minutes; then, you can rinse the hair and scalp with water and mild shampoo. Repeat this hair mask treatment once a week for the best results.