We love learning about natural DIY hair care techniques, even if we ultimately determine that they're not right for us or our audience.
However, we found a potential gem with today's article, as we'll be discussing using pure avocado oil for hair growth and a variety of other natural hair treatments.
As you're probably aware, avocado is a popular fruit that is enjoyed by people all over the world.
Since I'm a huge fan of Mexican food, I've eaten a ton of avocados over the years. It has a lovely taste that goes well with other foods, and on top of that, it is packed with vital nutrients that add a healthy punch to a meal.
The rich mineral and fat content of fresh avocados, coupled with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, also make them a great ingredient to add to your hair care routine.
In this article, we look at how using avocado oil for natural hair can help promote healthy hair growth, mitigate hair loss, and reduce frizzy hair.
Table of Contents
The Benefits of Avocado Oil for Curly Hair Care
Avocado oil is packed with...
- vitamins A, E, and B-5.
- minerals.
- antioxidants.
- biotin.
- essential fatty acids (i.e., oleic acid).
- monounsaturated fats.
- anti-inflammatory properties.
If you want to keep your hair healthy and strong, you must ensure that your diet contains all the nutrients your hair needs.
Vitamin B-5, vitamin E, vitamin D, and biotin are all great for your hair, and you can get them by regularly adding avocado to your daily diet or swapping your regular cooking oil with the healthier avocado oil.
We've written extensively about the benefits of using biotin for hair growth and ways to utilize vitamin E for hair growth. You might be surprised about what we've learned about using hair growth vitamins.
It's important to understand that even without consuming avocado oil, it can still benefit your hair. Using avocado oil can potentially help repair damaged hair strands, strengthen your hair, and moisturize the hair.
A 2015 study published in the International Journal of Trichology found that some of the minerals found in avocado oil can help seal cuticles and mitigate hair breakage and split ends.
The benefits of using avocado oil on your hair include reducing dandruff, mitigating breakage, and detangling your hair.
Decrease Dandruff
Massaging some avocado oil into your flaky scalp before giving it a good wash and conditioning can help keep your skin well-hydrated, making it appear healthier and free from dandruff.
If you struggle with dandruff, I recommend reading this article about the causes of dandruff. In addition to learnings the causes of dandruff, you'll learn about proven professional treatments and home remedies.
Mitigate Hair Breakage
Hair strands can easily break if they are always dry and brittle. To mitigate the impact of dry and brittle hair strands, you can coat your hair with a thin layer of avocado oil to make it more flexible and resistant to breaking when you brush your hair or tie it up.
You should also treat your hair gently to prevent self-inflicted breakage. We explain this concept in detail within an article about protective styling for hair growth.
If you want to untangle your hair without pulling out a few strands, apply avocado oil, and using either your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, start with the ends and work your way up the hair strands.
People should also stay away from elastic bands that pull their hair (e.g., tie your hair) too tightly. Using avocado oil on your hair won't reverse significant hair damage, but it lubricates the hair strands, potentially mitigating further breakage.
Detangling Hair
Avocado oil may be applied to the ends of tangled hair to help detangle it. After applying a small amount of avocado oil to the hair, you should then use a wide-toothed comb (or your fingers) to gently remove the tangles and straighten out the hair.
If you prefer to use a hairbrush, that's fine. We've written about the best hair brushes for curly hair in the past (see linked article). It also includes highly recommended advice for detangling your hair.
Mitigate Hair Damage
Your hair is constantly exposed to potential damage. Some common examples include constant manipulation and rough styling techniques (e.g., tight braids or ponytails). Applying avocado oil to your hair might protect your strands from certain types of hair damage.
How to Use Avocado Oil to Stimulate Hair Growth
According to studies conducted on certain animals, by Toxicological Research and Phytotherapy Research, peppermint and lavender essential oils can be used to potentially promote hair growth.
We recommend using avocado oil as a carrier oil for either lavender or peppermint essential oils, although you can pair it with other natural oils too (e.g., castor oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, or olive oil).
Mixing an ounce of avocado oil with about 5 drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil gives you a powerful homemade hair growth treatment.
You may also massage some avocado oil onto your scalp to unclog blocked hair follicles and promote blood flow, potentially preventing hair loss and encouraging hair growth.
You don't have to worry about the avocado oil leaving a greasy coating on your scalp. Your skin should be able to easily absorb the oil.
However, if you accidentally use too much avocado oil, you can use your favorite shampoo to wash it all out.
If you like the idea of a soothing and comforting scalp massage, I recommend reading our ultimate guide to using scalp massages for hair growth.
There are a few little-known "secrets" in that article that should help you reach your hair growth goals.
How to Use Avocado Oil as a Deep Moisturizing Treatment
As an Avocado Hair Mask
You may buy an avocado-based hair mask or make one yourself. If you opt for the DIY option, you can use the hair mask recipe below:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 avocado
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions: Blend all of the solid ingredients to create a smooth texture. Add in the liquid ingredients and mix them well.
Spread the hair mask throughout your hair and leave it in to set for up to 3 hours. We recommend a minimum of at least 20 minutes. Use your favorite shampoo and warm water to wash off the avocado mask.
As a Hot Oil Treatment
You will need the following ingredients:
- 3-5 tablespoon avocado oil
- 3-5 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil
- 2 cups of water
- 3 droplets of peppermint or lavender oil (optional)
- Saucepan
- Warm towel
- Glass Jar
How to prepare the avocado oil hair treatment:
- Boil 2 cups of water in your saucepan.
- Combine 3-5 tablespoons of avocado oil with an equal amount of extra virgin coconut oil in your glass jar. You may add a few drops of peppermint or lavender essential oils for an extra boost.
- Place the glass jar in the hot water for about 2 minutes. The oil should be warm, not boiling. Please don't put boiling oil on your hair. Be careful.
- Check the oil temperature on your wrist and apply it to your washed hair. Be careful. Don't burn yourself.
- Massage the avocado oil mixture gently onto your hair and scalp (to promote blood circulation).
- Wrap your hair with a warm towel for about 25 minutes.
- Rinse out the treatment with warm water.
Avocado Oil and Hair Research
There's limited research on the impact of using avocado oil to encourage hair growth and other hair care treatments.
Although it has been shown to have moisturizing properties, avocado oil is most effective when ingested as opposed to when it is applied topically. The best way to maintain healthy hair is by maintaining your overall health.
As additional research is available on using avocado oil on natural hair, we'll make updates to this article.
Risks and Warnings of Avocado Allergies
Avocado oil is generally safe to use for everyone unless you have an avocado allergy. Using avocado oil may have some side effects, so you should test it first on a patch of skin to be safe.
Is Avocado Oil Good for Hair?
Avocado oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that can help to nourish and strengthen hair strands. It's particularly good for dry or damaged hair, as it helps to moisturize and protect it. Avocado oil is also believed to promote hair growth and reduce dandruff, making it a great choice to improve your hair health.
Is Grapeseed and Avocado Oil Good for Hair?
Both grapeseed and avocado oil are good for hair. Grapeseed oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil that moisturizes and protects hair without weighing it down. It is particularly good for fine hair, as it won't make it look greasy or heavy. Avocado oil, on the other hand, is a thicker, heavier oil that's great for dry or damaged hair.
Which Is Better for Hair Coconut Oil or Avocado Oil?
Coconut oil and avocado oil are both good, but they offer different benefits. Coconut oil is lightweight and good for fine or thin hair as it moisturizes without making it greasy. On the other hand, avocado oil is a heavier oil that is good for dry or damaged hair. It nourishes hair strands with vitamins and minerals.
How Is Avocado Oil Made?
Avocado oil is made from the pulp of ripe avocados through a process of pressing and filtering. The oil can be further processed to create different grades of avocado oil, such as extra virgin or refined avocado oil. Some avocado oils are cold-pressed without heat, which is considered the highest quality and most nutrient-dense type of avocado oil.
How Long Does Avocado Oil Last?
The shelf life of avocado oil depends on how it's processed and stored. Unopened avocado oil can last up to two years, while opened avocado oil can last up to six months if stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Refrigerating avocado oil can also help to extend its shelf life.
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Avocados are a great addition to your diet. In 2012, a study found that consuming avocados supports digestive and cardiovascular health and also promotes healthy aging.
To boost your hair health and diet, you should consider using avocado oil to cook or prepare salad dressings. Avocado oil may be purchased at many different food stores.
The nutrients found in avocados might (also) be what you need to get your hair in order. For the best results, use avocado oil for hair care, together with a balanced diet that gives you the rest of the nutrients you need to grow strong and healthy hair.
