Aloe vera
is known for giving you good glowing skin, but its benefits don’t just
end there. It can also stimulate hair growth. Aloe vera contains a vast
repository of amino acids and proteolytic enzymes . These nutrients
help improve scalp health and boost hair growth. In this article, we
will look at the benefits of aloe vera for hair growth and how you can
use it. Scroll down for more information.
Note: A lot of these remedies involve using fresh aloe vera gel. You can slice an aloe vera leaf and scoop out the gel using a spoon. Throw the obtained gel into a food processor to get an even consistency.
Note: Castor oil has been shown to cause hair felting. It is advisable to use castor oil with another oil and in the required amount to prevent this.
Note: Use only the required amount of onion juice as too much of it may irritate your skin and scalp.
You Will Need
You Will Need
As the saying goes, patience is the mother of all virtues. Though it will take time to grow your hair, these aloe vera hair masks are sure to accelerate it. Keep using these hair masks to see results over a period.
Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Hair
Aloe vera can help in the following ways:- It can stimulate hair growth.
- It makes hair lustrous and shiny.
- It rejuvenates dry and damaged hair.
- It can prevent dandruff.
- It can help contain frizz.
- It improves scalp health as it balances pH levels.
What Does Science Say?
- Aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes, which help repair the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help soothe the scalp from irritations, redness, bruises, and scars and repair damaged cells in the scalp.
- Aloe vera has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It gets absorbed by the hair and protects it from scalp infections.
- Aloe vera contains minerals, vitamins, lipids, and amino acids. These are needed to stimulate hair growth and keep the hair healthy.
- Aloe vera has antifungal properties and can help reduce dandruff and itchy scalp.
- Aloe vera has the ability to increase blood circulation to the applied area. Thus, it can help stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth.
- Aloe vera has moisturizing properties. It can help soothe your scalp and hair and nourish them.
- Aloe vera is often used in shampoos as a cleansing and thickening agent.
- It also reduces hair fall and shedding.
Note: A lot of these remedies involve using fresh aloe vera gel. You can slice an aloe vera leaf and scoop out the gel using a spoon. Throw the obtained gel into a food processor to get an even consistency.
How To Use Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
1. Castor Oil And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Castor oil has been shown to reduce hair damage and split ends, hair loss, and dandruff and condition the hair. It also enhances hair luster. While the aloe vera moisturizes your hair, castor oil protects it from damage. This aloe vera treatment helps stimulate hair growth and helps nourish and condition your hair strands, preventing breakage and split ends.Note: Castor oil has been shown to cause hair felting. It is advisable to use castor oil with another oil and in the required amount to prevent this.
You Will Need
- 1 cup fresh aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
- 2 tablespoons fenugreek powder
- Shower cap
- Towel
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
OvernightProcess
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth and consistent paste.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair. Ensure that you focus most on the roots and tips.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap.
- Go to bed with the mixture on. You may wrap a towel around the shower cap for added heat and to keep the shower cap from shifting.
- In the morning, wash the mixture off with cool water and shampoo. Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
1-2 times a week.2. Honey And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Honey and aloe vera are both emollients. Honey has also shown to help reduce dandruff. This conditioning combination, paired with coconut oil, will seal moisture to your hair shafts. Since coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft, this mask nourishes and strengthens the hair from within .You Will Need
- 5 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Shower cap
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
25 minutesProcess
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp and work it down to the tips of your hair. Focus on the tips, as these are the most damaged parts of your hair.
- Once all of your hair is covered in the mixture, throw a shower cap on and wait for about 25 minutes.
- Wash your hair with cool water and shampoo. Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.3. Egg And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
The use of everyday styling tools depletes your hair of proteins. Egg yolk contains a naturally-occurring peptide that aids hair growth. In combination with olive oil and aloe vera, it helps nourish your hair and boost the rate at which your hair is growing.You Will Need
- 4 tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 egg yolk
- Shower cap
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
25 minutesProcess
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth and consistent paste.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair. Focus on the roots and tips.
- Once your hair is fully covered in the mixture, cover it with a shower cap.
- Wait with the mixture on for about 20- 25 minutes.
- Wash the mixture out with cool water and shampoo. You do not want to use warm water at this point because it will cook the egg in the mixture.
- Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.4. Onion And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Onion juice is an excellent hair growth ingredient that stimulates your scalp and the dormant follicles on it. It helps curb hair fall and promote hair regrowth.Note: Use only the required amount of onion juice as too much of it may irritate your skin and scalp.
You Will Need
- 1 cup onion juice
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
Prep Time
10 minutesProcessing Time
1 hourProcess
- Blend 3-4 large onions to a puree in a blender. Use a cheesecloth to extract the juice.
- Add the aloe vera gel to the juice and mix well.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp and work it through your hair until it is saturated with the liquid.
- Leave it on for about an hour.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.5. Coconut Milk And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Coconut and its extracts have good conditioning properties that help maintain the health of your hair. They can penetrate the hair shaft and reduce the protein loss of hair. It is also an excellent repository of nutrients that help nourish your scalp and hair.You Will Need
- 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 4 tablespoons coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
30 minutesProcess
- Combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp and work it through your hair until your hair is saturated with the liquid.
- Leave it on for about half an hour.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.6. Hibiscus And Aloe Vera Gel For Hair Growth
Hibiscus is popularly used to enhance hair color. It can also reduce dandruff and stimulate hair growth. When used in combination with aloe vera gel, it helps boost hair growth while maintaining hair texture.You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons hibiscus flower paste
- 1 cup aloe vera gel
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
45 minutesProcess
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp and work it through your hair until it is saturated with the liquid.
- Leave it on for about half an hour and then proceed to rinse your hair.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.7. Lemon And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which is essential for the synthesis of collagen. Lemon juice also helps maintain the health of your scalp by maintaining optimum pH levels.You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
20 minutesProcess
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp for a couple of minutes and then work it through your hair.
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.8. Henna And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Apart from enhancing hair color, henna can reduce hair loss and boost scalp health. It balances oil production and pH level of the scalp. Henna can help reduce split ends, hair loss, and hair damage. Using this mixture will not only boost hair growth but also add a tint of red to your hair while covering grays.You Will Need
- 2 cups fresh henna leaves
- 2 tablespoons yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Prep Time
2 hours+ 5 minutesProcessing Time
45 minutes- 2 hours.Process
- Soak the henna leaves for about 2 hours before you plan on using the hair mask.
- Blend the leaves and add the rest of the ingredients to it. Mix well.
- Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp. Focus on the roots and the tips of your hair.
- Once your hair is completely covered in the mixture, wait with it on for about 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can leave the mixture on for a couple of hours.
- Wash your hair with cool water and shampoo.
- Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once in two weeks.9. Aloe Vera And Vitamin E For Hair Growth
Vitamin E contains tocotrienol, which relieves oxidative stress and reduces hair loss. This helps keep your hair healthy, stretching the time between trims so that you attain your desired hair length faster.You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 2 tablespoons almond oil
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
20 minutesProcess
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp for a couple of minutes and then work it through your hair.
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes. Proceed to rinse your hair.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.10. Apple Cider Vinegar And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties. This mask can improve the health of your scalp by dealing with issues like dandruff and scalp irritation. It ensures that your follicles remain healthy to boost hair growth.You Will Need
- 1 cup fresh aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
15 minutesProcess
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp for a couple of minutes and then work it through your hair.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once in two weeks.11. Baking Soda And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
You will come across many blogs and bloggers swearing by the scalp cleansing abilities of baking soda. Baking soda can help maintain pH balance and clean the scalp. However, there are no scientific studies to prove these effects.You Will Need
- 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon coconut milk
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
10 minutesProcess
- Combine the aloe vera, coconut milk, and honey in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Rinse your hair with water and use this mixture as a shampoo replacement. Leave it on for a few minutes longer than you would a shampoo.
- Rinse it out with water.
- Add about a tablespoon of water to the baking soda and use the mixture to scrub your scalp gently. This will help get rid of any grease.
- Rinse your hair clean with cool water.
How Often?
Once a week as a shampoo replacement.12. Shea Butter And Aloe Vera Gel For Hair Growth
Shea butter is an emollient with anti-inflammatory properties. In combination with aloe vera gel, it helps cleanse the scalp and keep away fungal infections.You Will Need
- 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
Prep Time
15 minutesProcessing Time
30 minutesProcess
- Melt the shea butter in a double boiler and let it cool.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
- Take about 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture in a bowl (you can store the rest in a jar for later use).
- Massage your scalp and hair with this blend and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with cool water and mild shampoo. Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.13. Cayenne Pepper And Aloe Vera For Hair
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which was found to help stimulate hair growth. Massaging your scalp with this combination can improve blood circulation, which improves hair thickness.You Will Need
- 1/2 cup fresh aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Prep Time
5 minutesProcessing Time
10 minutesProcess
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Massage a tablespoon of the mixture into your scalp. You can store the rest in a jar to be used later.
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.14. Fenugreek And Aloe Vera For Hair
Animal studies show that fenugreek seeds can aid hair growth.. It can also rejuvenate split ends and reduce dandruff. This combination not only cleanses your hair but also nourishes it.You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
- 2 tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel
Prep Time
8 hours + 5 minutesProcessing Time
30 minutes-3 hoursProcess
- Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight.
- In the morning, grind them to a fine paste and mix with the aloe vera gel.
- Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with cool water and a mild shampoo.
- Finish with conditioner.
How Often?
Once a week.15. Green Tea And Aloe Vera For Hair Growth
Green tea helps in reducing excess sebum production. It contains EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), which can help promote hair growth.You Will Need
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed green tea
- 1/2 cup fresh aloe vera gel
Prep Time
10 minutesProcessing Time
10 minutesProcess
- Throw the ingredients into a blender and blend well. Ensure that there are no lumps.
- Massage the mixture into your scalp and work it through the length of your hair. Ensure that your hair is completely saturated in the mixture.
- Leave the mixture in for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off with cool water.
- Condition your hair and let it air dry.
How Often?
Once a week as a shampoo replacement.As the saying goes, patience is the mother of all virtues. Though it will take time to grow your hair, these aloe vera hair masks are sure to accelerate it. Keep using these hair masks to see results over a period.
sources
- Surjushe, Amar et al. “Aloe vera: a short review.” Indian journal of dermatology 53,4 (2008): 163-6.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/ - Kumar, KP Sampath, and Bhowmik Debjit. “Aloe vera: a potential herb and its medicinal importance.” Journal of chemical and Pharmaceutical Research1 (2010): 21-29.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328630465_Aloe_vera_A_Potential_Herb_and_its_Medicinal_Importance - Lawrence, Rubina et al. “Isolation, Purification and Evaluation of Antibacterial Agents from Aloe vera.” Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology] 40,4 (2009): 906-15.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768575/ - Vardy,
D. A., et al. “A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of an Aloe vera
(A. barbadensis) emulsion in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.” Journal of dermatological treatment1 (1999): 7-11.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09546639909055904 - García,
Mario Hernández, José Adrián Trevera Juárez, and Acela Dávila Jiménez.
“Importance and Properties of Aloe vera in the Production of Hair
Shampoo.” The Journal of Middle East and North Africa Sciences5 (2019): 18-23.
https://www.academia.edu/39757313/Importance_and_Properties_of_Aloe_Vera_In_the_Production_of_Hair_Shampoo - Zaid,
Abdel Naser et al. “Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used
for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the
West Bank-Palestine.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine 17,1 355.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499037/ - McMullen, R, and J Jachowicz. “Optical properties of hair: effect of treatments on luster as quantified by image analysis.” Journal of cosmetic science 54,4 (2003): 335-51.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14528387/ - Burlando, Bruno, and Laura Cornara. “Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review.” Journal of cosmetic dermatology 12,4 (2013): 306-13.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24305429/ - Al-Waili, N S. “Therapeutic and prophylactic effects of crude honey on chronic seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.” European journal of medical research 6,7 (2001): 306-8.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11485891/ - Rele, Aarti S, and R B Mohile. “Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage.” Journal of cosmetic science 54,2 (2003): 175-92.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/ - Nakamura,
Toshio et al. “Naturally Occurring Hair Growth Peptide: Water-Soluble
Chicken Egg Yolk Peptides Stimulate Hair Growth Through Induction of
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Production.” Journal of medicinal food 21,7 (2018): 701-708.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29583066/ - Sharquie, Khalifa E, and Hala K Al-Obaidi. “Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata.” The Journal of dermatology 29,6 (2002): 343-6.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12126069/ - Sivaraja,
Pavithra & Deviha, Meena & R, Sowmya & M, Sowparnika &
Balakrishnaraja, Rengaraju & Kilavan Packiam, Kannan. (2016).
“STUDIES ON THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF EVOLVULUS ALSINOIDES, MURRAYA
KOENIGII, LAWSONIA INERMIS, HIBISCUS ROSA-SINENSIS, AZADIRACHTA INDICA
AGAINST MALASSEZIA FURFUR USING FRACTIONAL FACTORIAL DESIGN.”
International Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy. 7. 73-77.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291378304_STUDIES_ON_THE_ANTIMICROBIAL_ACTIVITY_OF_EVOLVULUS_ALSINOIDES_MURRAYA_KOENIGII_LAWSONIA_INERMIS_HIBISCUS_ROSA-SINENSIS_AZADIRACHTA_INDICA_AGAINST_MALASSEZIA_FURFUR_USING_FRACTIONAL_FACTORIAL_DESIGN - Agrawal, Krishn Kumar, and Kishan Singhb. “Hair growth activity of aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis l. flowers.” Indian Journal of Drugs4 (2017): 142-149.
http://drugresearch.in/pdf/dec17/IJOD-17-kk-singhal.pdf - Adhirajan, N et al. “In vivo and in vitro evaluation of hair growth potential of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn.” Journal of ethnopharmacology 88,2-3 (2003): 235-9.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12963149/ - Pullar, Juliet M et al. “The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.” Nutrients 9,8 866.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/ - Sadeghinia,
Ali, and Saeed Sadeghinia. “Comparison of the efficacy of topical
lawsonia inermis and topical minoxidil in the treatment of telogen
effluvium.” (2011).
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Comparison-of-the-efficacy-of-topical-lawsonia-and-Sadeghinia-Sadeghinia/a068381f00677c4e9d8ddd2285c76a3710c584a1 - Manimegala, M., et al. “Siddha Herbal Hair Pack-A Research Perspective.” (2012).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224748360_Siddha_Herbal_Hair_Pack_-_A_Research_Perspective - Beoy, Lim Ai et al. “Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers.” Tropical life sciences research 21,2 (2010): 91-9.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/ - Johnston, Carol S, and Cindy A Gaas. “Vinegar: medicinal uses and antiglycemic effect.” MedGenMed : Medscape general medicine 8,2 61. 30 May. 2006
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/ - Israel, Malachi Oluwaseyi. “Effects of topical and dietary use of shea butter on animals.” Am J Life Sci5 (2014): 303.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277021242_Effects_of_topical_and_dietary_use_of_shea_butter_on_animals - Harada,
Naoaki et al. “Administration of capsaicin and isoflavone promotes hair
growth by increasing insulin-like growth factor-I production in mice
and in humans with alopecia.” Growth hormone & IGF research :
official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the
International IGF Research Society 17,5 (2007): 408-15.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17569567/ - Hosking,
Anna-Marie, Margit Juhasz, and Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska.
“Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Alopecia: A Comprehensive
Review.” Skin appendage disorders2 (2019): 72-89.
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/492035 - Imtiaz, Fariha, et al. “Impact of Trigonella foenum-graecum Leaves Extract on Mice Hair Growth.” Pakistan Journal of Zoology4 (2017).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318655670_Impact_of_Trigonella_foenum-graecum_Leaves_Extract_on_Mice_Hair_Growth - Wijaya,
Wong Hendra, Abdul Mun’im, and Joshita Djajadisastra. “Effectiveness
test of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) extract hair tonic
in hair growth activity.” J. Curr. Res5 (2013): 3453-3460.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/EFFECTIVENESS-TEST-OF-FENUGREEK-SEED-(-Trigonella-L-Wijaya-Mun%E2%80%99im/d0417d40660c465157ac1dbff69ea336df7a2334 - Nualsri,
Chanchanok, Nattaya Lourith, and Mayuree Kanlayavattanakul.
“Development and clinical evaluation of green tea hair tonic for greasy
scalp treatment.” J Cosmet Sci67 (2016): 161-166.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308149951_Development_and_clinical_evaluation_of_green_tea_hair_tonic_for_greasy_scalp_treatment - Kwon, O S et al. “Human hair growth enhancement in vitro by green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).” Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 14,7-8 (2007): 551-5.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17092697/