Why You Should Be Using an Aloe Vera Hair Mask (With Bonus Recipes!)
You know that Aloe Vera is great for your skin, but can it help your hair? You bet it can! Get those gorgeous tresses with a little help from Mother Nature. Here’s how it works, and how you can make it happen for yourself.
Aloe Vera and Hair
When you use Aloe Vera on your skin, it helps to trap moisture. As a result, your skin feels healthier and more nourished. The same thing is true when you use Aloe Vera on your hair. When Aloe Vera is applied to a strand of hair, it locks in moisture and forms a barricade between it and the environment. Your hair stays protected, healthy, and looking great. You’ll notice that after using an Aloe Vera Hair Mask your hair looks more lustrous and that it’s stronger. Those are just natural side effects of moisturized, protected hair.
Is your scalp itchy? If you blow dry your hair regularly, your scalp can get dry, red, and even inflamed. Applying Aloe Vera to the scalp can help to soothe this irritation, relieving you of that pesky itch and promoting healthy skin on the scalp. With natural anti-fungal properties, Aloe Vera gel can even help to control dandruff.
Is your hair frizzy, tangled, or just not behaving itself? Aloe vera to the rescue. When diluted with water, a light application of Aloe Vera can help to keep frizzy hair in line. A little more can help to detangle stubborn knots, as well as accentuate natural curls.
Making and Using an Aloe Vera Hair Mask
Ready for gorgeous locks? Time to make a hair mask. Our favorite basic Aloe Vera hair mask is made from five parts Aloe Vera gel, three parts coconut oil, and two parts honey. Mix the ingredients well, then apply to your hair from root to tip. Wrap your hair up in a warm towel, sit back, and read a magazine for 20 minutes. When all the goodness has sunk in, wash your hair out with your regular shampoo.
If you have dandruff, a simple alteration on this recipe can help keep it under control. Use a full cup of Aloe Vera gel, mix in two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, then add a tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture all over your hair, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it out. The apple cider vinegar has anti-bacterial properties, so it can get rid of the bacteria and fungus that can cause dandruff. The Aloe Vera also soothes itchy skin, letting you attack your dandruff in two different ways. Use this mixture twice a month to keep dandruff under control.
Looking for a little extra fortitude and shine? Combine 5 tablespoons of Aloe Vera, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and an egg yolk. Heating the olive oil in the microwave for 10 seconds beforehand can help it mix better. Apply the mask to dry hair using a hair brush and allow it to sit in for several hours. Even better, wrap your hair up in a shower cap and leave it in overnight. Wash it out with your regular shampoo in the morning. You’ll notice the difference right away.
Using our Aloe Vera Gel as a base for a hair mask is a natural, healthy way to restore dry, damaged, or unmanageable hair. Indulge in a little “you” time with the mask of your choice, and enjoy the difference that a little extra Aloe Vera TLC can make.