When it comes to natural personal care remedies, aloe vera gel usually comes first. Be it skin, body or hair care, the properties of aloe vera gel always tops the list for it wide variety of benefits. This is beacuse it has calming and hydrating nature makes it a popular additive in conditioners, shampoos, and hair masks. But is raw aloe vera gel directly applied to your hair and scalp? We reached out to our expert, Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Department of Dermatology, Sharda Hospital - Noida, to find that out. Here is what he shared with us.
How Aloe Vera Is A Natural Hair Care Hero
Aloe vera is a succulent plant which has gel containing vitamins (such as A, C, and E), minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants. It is considered to provide a variety of advantages to the scalp and hair, including dandruff reduction, calming irritation, and healthy hair growth.
Advantages of Using Aloe Vera on Hair
Accordig to Dr Gulati a few benefits of applying aloe vera gel on our hair include:
1. Calms Scalp Irritation
Aloe vera's natural soothing quality of being anti-inflammatory can soothe redness, itching, and irritation of the scalp, rendering it a soft option for sensitive or flaky scalps.
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2. Controls Dandruff
Due to its antifungal and antibacterial qualities, aloe vera can possibly control dandruff and thwart scalp infections when applied regularly.
3. Hydrates Hair
Aloe vera is a wonderful natural moisturizer that nourishes the scalp and hair strands, possibly minimising dryness and frizz.
4. May Encourage Hair Growth
Though more research is required in the scientific community, aloe vera is conventionally thought to stimulate the hair follicles and enhance blood flow to the scalp, which can promote hair growth.
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Is It Safe to Use Aloe Vera Gel on Hair?
"Yes, in most cases, applying aloe vera gel on hair is considered safe. Whether you’re using fresh gel extracted from the plant or store-bought pure aloe vera gel, it typically poses no harm," Dr Gulati explained. However, he also explained that there are a few things to keep in mind. These include:
- Do a Patch Test: A few individuals might be allergic to aloe vera. Put a little on your inner arm and observe for 24 hours to see if there's any reaction.
- Use Pure Gel: Gels available in the market that contain added chemicals, alcohol, or artificial perfume can activate an allergic reaction on the scalp. Always use pure or organic aloe vera gel.
- Avoid Excess: Although aloe vera is moisturizing, overusing it without cleaning it out well may result in product build-up on the scalp.
Applying Aloe Vera Gel to Hair
- As Pre-Shampoo Treatment: Use aloe vera gel on your scalp and hair, leave it for 30 minutes, then wash out and shampoo.
- As Leave-In Conditioner: Apply a small amount on wet hair to calm frizz and give shine.
- As a Hair Mask: Combine aloe vera gel with oils such as coconut or castor oil for intensive conditioning.
Dr Gulati also noted that if you have a history of allergy to plants or extremely sensitive skin, you should exercise caution. Additionally, if you experience any redness, itching, or hair breakage following use, you should reconsider again.
Bottomline
Aloe vera gel is normally safe and harmless for most hair. It can moisturise, calm, and feed the scalp, which could make your hair healthier in the long run. But as always, it's best to do a patch test and refer to a dermatologist if you have scalp issues such as psoriasis or serious dermatitis.