Using Olive Oil for Natural Hair Health

What You Might Not Have Known

It’s a well known fact that, olive oil can be a fantastic conditioner
for hair but there are many other things about this essential oil that
make it a great go-to for hair care. Olive oil is one of the top
emollients that is known to penetrate the hair better than others. That
doesn’t just mean that it nourishes and conditions. An olive oil
treatment can improve the elasticity and strength of your hair far
better than other essential oils.

There are other even lesser known facts about olive oil. For
instance, olive oil is not just an average emollient. It contains
anti-inflammatory properties that promote scalp health and prevent
dandruff. What’s more, olive oil is not likely to cause an allergic
reaction, which makes it easier on sensitive skin and hair.

Methods and Oil Treatments

There are a couple of different ways to implement olive oil
treatments. The first thing to keep in mind is that olive oil needs a
way to absorb into the hair follicle. That is why users like both the
wet method and the dry method.

Both methods or treatments begin with warming olive oil. Warm about a
half a cup of olive oil in a microwaveable bowl or cup. The olive oil
should be warm but not hot to the touch. If you have fine hair or prefer
a lighter treatment, add coconut, sweet almond or jojoba oil.

Where Methods Differ

The next part depends on a couple of different things. Some users
prefer wet and recently conditioned hair while others want the hair to
be dry. If your hair is wet and conditioned, it will lock in the
moisture and additional nutrients when the olive oil is applied. The
downside is that olive oil is already slightly more difficult to apply
due to the hair’s slipper nature. If you apply olive oil to dry hair, it
has a similar effect, but many argue it doesn’t lock in as many
nutrients as the wet treatment. Even so, it’s less of a mess than the
wet method.

Whichever one you choose, place your oil-drenched hair into a shower
cap or wrap it with plastic wrap. Let the olive oil sit for between 5–45
minutes before washing out in the shower. This depends on which
treatment you use. Olive oil does well with minimal time, but giving it
several dozen minutes may increase the effects. Many users recommend
hopping in the shower and letting the steam do its thing to enhance the
effects of the olive oil on the hair. Once you’ve washed it out, watch
your step as the floor will be slick with oil. Towel dry and comb as
usual.

Although there are arguably more popular essential oils, olive oil is
well-known as a culinary ingredient and easy to obtain in any average
grocery store. For food and for hair, olive oil has been used since the
dawn of civilizations ranging from Mesopotamia to Ancient Egypt and
Greece. It’s no wonder then, that olive oil is found in a variety of
hair care products. Olive oil penetrates the hair cuticle so that the
necessary moisture and nutrients are absorbed leaving your hair not only
smoother, but shinier and healthier as well.