Olive Oil Benefits – How Olive Oil Treats Hair Loss
1. Reduces DHT Production
One of the biggest reasons for hair loss is the production of dihydrotestosterone. This hormone attacks the hair follicle and weakens it, leading to hair loss. Olive oil contains oleic acid that inhibits 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, the high levels of which can cause hair loss (1). The regular use of olive oil helps block the production of DHT and therefore helps reduce hair fall.
2. Prevents Hair Damage
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants (2). These antioxidants help maintain scalp and hair health and protect them from free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cell damage. Antioxidants help stabilize free radicals and prevent damage.
3. Nourishes And Conditions Hair
Olive oil improves blood circulation and nourishes the follicles with essential nutrients and unsaturated fats. It also helps seal moisture in the hair shaft, preventing dryness and making hair more manageable (3).
4. Reduces Hair Breakage
Since the oil prevents dryness, it also helps keep your hair thick and voluminous by reducing breakage. It does this by conditioning and strengthening the hair shaft with its rich content of omega-3 fatty acids, keeping your hair from snapping off.
5. Soothes The Scalp
Olive oil can help soothe an aggravated scalp and treat issues like itching and dandruff (3). Dandruff and clogged follicles are the leading causes of hair loss.
6. Aids Hair Growth
A study showed that the topical application of oleuropein, a constituent of olive oil, induced hair growth (4). Applying olive oil and massaging the scalp also improves blood circulation, which, in turn, promotes hair growth. Clearly, olive oil is good for hair growth, and you can safely use it to reduce hair loss. Scroll down to learn how to apply olive oil to promote hair growth.
How To Use Olive Oil For Hair Growth
1. Olive Oil And Egg White For Hair Loss
This combination helps normalize oil production while nourishing your scalp (olive oil) and hair with essential proteins for hair growth (5). You Will Need
2 egg whites 2 tablespoons olive oil Shower cap
Processing Time 20 minutes Process How Often? 1-2 times a week.
2. Cinnamon, Honey, And Olive Oil For Hair Loss
Cinnamon is a powerful ingredient that helps improve blood circulation. The topical application of cinnamon oil reduced hair loss and increased hair length and diameter in the laboratory animals (6). In combination with honey, it helps improve hair health and ensures that the new growth is strong and healthy. You Will Need
1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon olive oil Shower cap
Processing Time 15 minutes Process How Often? 1-2 times a week.
3. Garlic And Olive Oil For Hair Growth
Studies show that garlic can be a rapid and efficient treatment for alopecia areata (hair fall) (7). Here’s how to use garlic and olive oil for hair growth. You Will Need
10 fresh garlic cloves 1/4 cup olive oil
Processing Time 45 minutes Process How Often? 2-3 times a week.
4. Rosemary And Olive Oil For Hair Loss
This is another perfect treatment for people with oily hair. One study found that rosemary helped promote hair growth in lab animals (8). You Will Need
2-3 tablespoon olive oil 3-4 drops rosemary essential oil
Processing Time 45 minutes Process How Often? 2-3 times a week.
5. Ginger And Olive Oil For Hair Loss
Ginger has been traditionally used to stimulate hair growth. A study showed that a herbal gel containing ginger can promote hair growth (9). You Will Need
1 tablespoon ginger paste 1 tablespoon olive oil
Processing Time 35 minutes Process How Often? 2-3 times a week. These are the 5 ways you can use olive oil for hair growth and treat hair loss. Does olive oil darken hair? Yes, daily application of olive oil can help darken hair. Olive oil may help stimulate melanin production and the repigmentation of gray hair (10). Does olive oil make hair gray? No, olive oil does not make your hair gray. It can help you prevent gray hair. Is olive oil too heavy for fine hair? Yes, olive oil is too heavy for fine hair. It may weigh down your hair, making it look greasy. Is extra virgin olive oil good for the scalp? The balanced fatty acid composition and high nutritional value of extra virgin oil may make it an excellent oil for your scalp (11). It may aid circulation in the scalp and hydrate the hair. Can I put cooking olive oil in my hair? Yes, you can apply cooking oil to your hair. You may use it at least twice a week for best results.
References:
Inhibition of steroid 5 alpha-reductase by specific aliphatic unsaturated fatty acids.,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1637346/ Potential Health Benefits of Olive Oil and Plant Polyphenols.,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877547/ Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the West Bank-Palestine. ,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499037/ Topical application of oleuropein induces anagen hair growth in telogen mouse skin. ,https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0129578 The Golden Egg: Nutritional Value, Bioactivities, and Emerging Benefits for Human Health.,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470839/ Topical application of cinnamon (cinnamomum burmanii) essential oil has the same effectiveness as minoxidil in increasing hair length and diameter size of hair follicles in male white Wistar rats (rattus norvegicus). ,https://ijaam-unud.org/ojs/index.php/ijaam/article/view/19 Treatment of alopecia areata with topical garlic extract.,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260656650_TREATMENT_OF_ALOPECIA_AREATA_WITH_TOPICAL_GARLIC_EXTRACT Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract. ,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22517595/ Investigation of hair growth promoting ability of herbal gel containing Zingiber officinale. ,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337113059_Investigation_of_hair_growth_promoting_ability_of_herbal_gel_containing_Zingiber_officinale A Novel Pro-Melanogenic Effect of Standardized Dry Olive Leaf Extract on Primary Human Melanocytes from Lightly Pigmented and Moderately Pigmented Skin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7999707/ Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19167997/
