Aloe Vera and Hair Regrowth: Does It Really Work?

Let’s see some benefits of aloe vera for hair and how to apply aloe vera for hair growth.

Aloe vera has various active ingredients and nutrients that make it beneficial for the hair. It comprises fatty acids and vitamins like E, B12, C, and A that promote healthy hair follicles and strengthen the hair in the long run. Let’s look at a few more benefits of aloe vera for hair.

UV Damage Protection

Exposure to harmful UV rays can cause the hair to lose its natural shine and color. Thus, it can make the hair look rough and affect its elasticity to cause breakage. But fresh aloe vera has properties that can protect the hair from UV damage and help it maintain its shine, color, and elasticity.

Hair Growth

There isn’t any scientific evidence that supports the fact that aloe vera fosters hair growth. But researchers believe that a chemical compound called aloenin stimulates hair growth in people suffering from alopecia. It helps improve hair health, reduces breakage, and thus triggers hair growth.

Reduce Scaliness and Itchiness

Seborrheic dermatitis, which is an inflammatory condition, affects the scalp. It leads to red skin, dandruff, and the creation of scaly patches. Using aloe vera can significantly reduce scaliness and itchiness .

Now, let’s see how to apply aloe vera to hair. The process begins with removing the gel from the aloe vera plant. That’s the ickiest part, though. But it helps.

• • Remove an old and thick leaf from the plant’s outside
  • Drain the yellow latex from the leaf and discard it
  • Rinse the leaf well and remove the spiny ends with a sharp knife
  • Move the knife lengthwise along the leaf to remove the skin
  • Cut out the clear gel

Now, the way of using aloe vera gel for hair depends on the condition to be treated. Let’s look at the various ways through which aloe vera gel can be used.

• • Oily Hair: Take a couple of tablespoons of aloe vera gel and mix it with a single tablespoon of lemon juice and a cup of water. Shampoo the hair and rinse it with this aloe vera-based solution. Keep it for a few minutes, and then rinse the hair.
  • Hair and Scalp: While treating the hair and scalp, you can apply raw aloe vera gel and work it on the scalp, hair, and ends. You may also use and massage some castor oil to retain the hair’s moisture. Keep the aloe vera gel for about 25-30 minutes and rinse it.

As said earlier, whether aloe vera helps grow hair or not doesn’t have adequate scientific evidence. But many people use aloe vera to grow hair, enhance hair health and thus treat baldness. Aloe vera’s impact on every scalp may vary. Hence, one may want to refrain from making a generic statement about aloe vera’s effectiveness for baldness. A specific dermatologist’s advice can help here.

Aloe vera undoubtedly proves helpful in treating hair problems. But like every other solution, it may have side effects and cause allergies. Thus, before you use aloe vera, you must perform a patch test. Rub some amount of aloe vera on the inside of your wrist and wait up to a couple of hours to see the skin’s reaction.

If your skin reacts adversely to it, you must avoid using aloe vera. Consult a dermatologist in situations like these to find alternatives.

Want to know more about using aloe vera for hair regrowth? HairMD is here to help! Our dermatologists diagnose your hair problem and devise a personalized hair treatment that enables you to regrow hair and enhance its health.

We offer a range of home-based remedies and clinical treatments to foster hair regrowth. Click here to book an appointment and discuss your hair problems with our qualified and experienced dermatologists.