Olive Oil To Stop Hair Loss And Improve Hair Growth

Oils are good for hair health. Here, we will look at the effectiveness of olive oil in stopping hair loss. Hair fall is a major issue that most of us face in our daily lives. Shedding 50-100 hair strands per day is normal. However, losing more than 100 hair strands signifies an underlying health issue. Olive oil has an excellent nutritional profile that can control hair fall. To know more about the benefits of olive oil for hair, continue reading.

Olive Oil Benefits – How Olive Oil Treats Hair Loss

Is olive good for your hair? Scroll down to learn more about why you should add it to your hair care routine.

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

One of the important olive oil benefits for hair is that it can help improve 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).

Did You Know?

Olive oil coats the hair strands on the outside. This closes any open hair fibers, which may help curb frizz and prevent flyaways.

4. Reduces Hair Breakage

Is olive oil good for hair thickening? Yes, 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. Thus, olive oil helps in hair strengthening and preventing breakage.

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.

Nicoletta, a YouTuber, shares her personal experience of applying an overnight olive oil hair mask. She says, “I am absolutely obsessed with the results. It really helped with dandruff and my dry scalp. It feels a lot less irritated– a lot more moisturized and nourished. I have that shine in my hair; my hair feels so so smooth, I can run my fingers through it easily (i)!”

Clearly, olive oil is good for your hair growth, and you can safely use it to reduce hair loss. Scroll down to learn what kind of olive oil to use for your hair.

What Type Of Olive Oil Is Best For Hair?

When picking olive oil for your hair, go for extra virgin olive oil as it boasts the highest quality. It’s obtained without heat or chemical processing, which preserves its natural goodness.

Look for labels mentioning “cold-pressed” or “unrefined” for maximum benefits. Organic options are preferable as they lack harmful pesticides. Extra virgin olive oil has a light texture and it won’t weigh your hair down or leave it greasy. It’s packed with vitamin E, antioxidants, and healthy fats, making it an excellent choice for nourishing and strengthening your hair (5).

These properties help combat dryness, frizz, and split ends, leaving your hair softer, smoother, and more manageable. So, for an all-natural hair remedy, extra virgin olive oil is your best bet. Scroll down to learn the best ways to use olive oil for your hair.

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 (6). Using this once a week will help improve hair nourishment.

You Will Need

• 2 egg whites
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Shower cap

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1. Whisk the egg whites and the oil in a bowl.
2. Apply this mixture to your scalp and your hair.
3. Leave the mixture for 20 minutes. Cover your hair with a shower cap while you wait to avoid a mess.
4. After 20 minutes have passed, rinse your hair with cool water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Quick Tip

Curly hair needs more moisturization and strength as it gets dry easily. So, it is better to switch out the egg whites with an egg yolk if you have curly tresses. Egg yolks contain fatty acids that can moisturize the hair (6).

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 (7). 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

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth, consistent mixture.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair, starting from your scalp and working it down to the tips of your hair.
3. Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes. Wear a shower cap to avoid a mess.
4. After waiting for 15 minutes, rinse your hair out with cool/lukewarm water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo.

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) (8). 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

1. Peel the garlic cloves and blend them with olive oil to get a smooth paste.
2. Take about 2-3 tablespoons of this paste in a bowl for application.
3. Apply the paste to your scalp and then work it through the rest of your hair. Focus most on your scalp.
4. Leave the garlic-oil mix on for about 45 minutes and then rinse your hair with cool/lukewarm water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
5. Store the remaining garlic and olive oil mixture in an airtight container. Store the container in a cool, dark place.

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 (9).

You Will Need

• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 drops of rosemary essential oil

Processing Time

45 minutes

Process

1. In a bowl, combine the oils to create a rosemary-olive oil blend.
2. Heat the oil for about 30 seconds until it is slightly warm.
3. Massage the oil blend into your scalp for 15 minutes.
4. Once you are done massaging your scalp, work the oil into your hair until it is fully covered.
5. Leave the oil in your hair for an additional 30 minutes.
6. Wash your hair with cool/lukewarm water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo.

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 an herbal gel containing ginger can promote hair growth (10).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Processing Time

35 minutes

Process

1. Mix the ginger paste and carrier oil in a bowl.
2. Start massaging this mixture into your scalp with your fingertips.
3. Massage for 5 minutes to boost blood circulation.
4. Work the remaining oil through your hair and leave it in for 30 minutes.
5. Wash the oil out with cool/lukewarm water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

These are the 5 ways you can use olive oil for hair growth and treat hair loss.

Infographic: Important Benefits Of Using Olive Oil

Olive oil is a popular remedy suggested to use in hair treatments for issues like hair fall. Apart from being used as an oil treatment, it can be added to different DIY recipes and applied on hair to stimulate hair growth.

Check out the infographic below to know about the important olive oil hair benefits.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the mixture of olive oil and lemon good for hair?

Madison Dufour, Licensed Cosmetologist, says, “Lemon is highly acidic and great for toning gray hair, restoring the pH of the scalp, and cleansing the skin and follicles. I would not recommend leaving lemon juice on the hair overnight.”

Can we keep olive oil in our hair overnight?

Dufour says, “Yes, you can leave olive oil in your hair overnight. However, I would recommend not putting too much olive oil so that it blocks or clogs the follicles.”

Is it okay to heat olive oil?

Dufour says, “Warming the olive oil in the hair is safe; if you heat the oil too much, it will cook the hair and ruin the cuticle. Typically, the heat from your scalp is enough, but you can put your hair in a cap and use a warm blow dryer for 5 minutes on a low heat setting.

Is olive oil too heavy for fine hair?

Yes, olive oil is too heavy for fine hair. It may weigh down your strands, making them look greasy. Dufour says, “Olive oil is an excellent hydrator for the hair and scalp, though it is heavier than coconut oil. Coconut oil has many healing properties and is gentle and light on the hair and scalp. For fine hair, use coconut oil. For medium or coarse hair, use olive oil.”

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 (11).

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.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Vindhya L VeerulaMD, FAAD

   

Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. She is an energetic, proactive, and compassionate medical practitioner with 5 years of experience and a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness. Dr.V is on a mission to inspire and teach people to...more

• Madison DufourLicensed Cosmetologist

  Madison Dufour is a licensed barber and cosmetologist with a decade of experience. She is also an entrepreneur who runs several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. She received her training from Xenon Academy of Cosmetology and aims to help people feel confident from the inside and beautiful on the outside through proper hair care.
  
  Madison Dufour is a licensed barber and cosmetologist with a decade of experience. She is also an entrepreneur who runs several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. She received her training from Xenon Academy of Cosmetology and aims to help people feel confident from the inside and beautiful on the outside through proper hair care.

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. She writes on skin care and aims to present well-researched...more