Avocado Oil for Hair: All You Need to Know!

You want your hair looking good, right? That means color, style, and condition – and the truth is that no amount of coloring and styling can hide poor condition. The solution may be avocado oil. However, if you’re like me, you want a bit more than promises of amazing results. You want to know why avocado oil for hair is a good option and how you should use it.

So, let’s go on a learning journey to find out the facts.

What Causes Damage to Hair? (Sorry, We Need to Be a Bit Technical Here.)

There can be damage to the shaft of the hair or the root system.

The structure of the hair, viewed from the outside (left) and inside (right).

Harsh shampoos and treatment products, heat from styling, rough brushing or tugging can damage the shaft. The cuticle is supposed to protect the cortex which is made up of protein or keratin. If the overlapping scales of the cuticle are lifted instead of closed and flat, or if the layer of fats or lipids is removed, the cortex loses moisture. Water and chemicals from the outside can get in, and the hair swells. Keratin strands can then stretch too far and break.

As a result, hair is tangled, frizzy and full of static. When it gets too bad, the only option is to cut off the damaged parts.

Damage to the root system comes from poor nutrition, poor blood circulation, blockages in the glands or poor scalp condition. Glands produce a natural oil or sebum which moves down the hair shaft. If your hair is long or has a tight curl, the oil may not reach the ends and they get dry and brittle. Poor blood circulation may cause early balding.

How Can Avocado Oil Help Damaged Hair?

Avocado oil has a wide range depending on the method of extracting, the proportion of ingredients and the purpose of use. To make sure you choose the right type of avocado oil for your hair, please refer to this article before getting started.

Solution 1: Use Avocado Oil on the Hair Shaft

You will need:

Research shows that oil on the cuticle helps to retain natural moisture and prevents hair from absorbing too much water. It also stops tangling and breaking.

Most noteworthy about avocado oil for hair is that it does more than just sit on the surface. Because it is a mono-unsaturated oil, it is absorbed into the hair and provides extra moisture. It diffuses (or spreads evenly) into the hair much better than polyunsaturated oils, like sunflower oil.

Using avocado oil regularly brings about significant hair improvement effects

So, avocado oil is a good buy, even if is more expensive than other oils. Make sure that you buy a pure oil, not one diluted with other oils. (Look for cold-pressed and freeze dried avocado oils as they have the most antioxidants, especially Vitamin E, to protect hair from aging and splitting.)

Avocado oil on its own won’t strengthen the protein or keratin layer in your hair. You need the whole avocado for this. A tip is to add mashed avocado fruit to the oil for a hair mask treatment (see our recipe later). Another tip is to add coconut oil to the avocado oil for hot oil treatments. A study showed that coconut oil reduces protein loss from hair. So, when you combine the oils the avocado oil moisturizes and stops splitting, and the coconut oil protects the protein layer and strengthens the hair.

Solution 2: Use Avocado Oil on the Scalp

You will need:

An oil massage for your scalp feels good and relieves stress. However, the science shows that it does more than this.

The first benefit is that scalp massage stimulates blood flow and therefore prevents hair loss and early balding. Please don’t be impatient. Hair growth takes time. A Japanese study in 2016 showed that scalp massages increased hair thickness – but it took 24 weeks. Adding essential oils to the avocado oil gets the maximum benefit. A Korean study showed that peppermint oil promotes hair growth. Rosemary oil stimulates blood flow.

An additional benefit is that avocado oil is rapidly absorbed, so it moisturizes the scalp and the roots and will help with dry scalp and dandruff.

Avocado oil is absorbed quickly, helps moisturize the scalp.

How Do You Use Avocado Oil as a Hair Treatment?

1. Scalp Massages

Rub a teaspoon of warmed oil between your hands and onto your fingertips. Massage it into your scalp, using circular movements. Then wrap in a warm towel and leave for at least 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and a gentle shampoo.

2. Treatment for the Length of Your Hair

Separate your hair into sections and do a section at a time. Run oil-covered hands through the length of your hair and then comb the oil through – remember to use a wide-toothed comb to prevent tugging. After at least 20 minutes, rinse off with warm water and a gentle shampoo. Add a conditioner if you need to.

3. Leave-in Treatments

Use enough oil to saturate your hair. It should stay on for at least 8 hours, or overnight. Cover your head with a shower cap and a towel and remember to cover your pillow to prevent staining.

Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle to spray oil in a mist over damp hair, comb, and then let it air dry.

4. Hair Masks

Avocado oil masks help restore damaged hair and soften the hair.

Hair masks are deep conditioning treatments, and you can use ingredients from your kitchen, like eggs, honey, olive oil or yogurt. Avocado oil masks are especially beneficial for people with unruly, curly hair.

If you want all the benefits of avocado, use this recipe:

The honey has a microbial effect (great for dry scalp and dandruff), the avocado oil moisturizes, and the niacin (Vitamin B) in the fruit has proven benefits for hair regeneration and for building keratin.

5. Special Tips for African Hair

There are differences in the structure of Asian, Caucasian and African hair. African hair has the least number of layers in the cuticle, the least amount of sebum produced and it has a tight curl. So, it is fragile and breaks easily. Because of this, it’s a good idea to add avocado oil to the length of the hair every day. However, avoid your scalp to preserve the natural pH and not to block the hair follicles.

6. Add Avocado Oil to Your Diet

Remember that improved nutrition also helps hair. Avocado oil on your salad is also avocado oil for hair!

Avocado supplementation in the diet is also effective for hair.

How Often Should You Do Hair Treatments?

If your hair is in bad condition, do an oil treatment or mask once or twice a week. In between, add a few drops of avocado oil to boost your regular shampoo or conditioner. You can also use oil in place of a conditioner. Be careful, as the shower floor will be very slippery.

It’s important to allow enough time for it to work. A quick treatment takes about 20 minutes. More in-depth treatment needs at least 8 hours, and preferably overnight. Reduce the time if you have very fine hair.

In Summary, What Are the Benefits of Avocado Oil for Hair?

Avocado oil for hair is a good choice, and research backs up this claim. Oil on the surface of your hair stops tangles, overstretching and breakage. It prevents moisture loss and adds extra moisture. Because it has quick absorption into the skin, it conditions your scalp and helps for dry scalp and dandruff. Massaging prevents hair loss and stimulates regrowth.

So, buy avocado oil to get your hair into great condition. Then work on color and styling to make sure that your hair is your crowning glory!

If you have questions or tips about using avocado oil for hair, please comment below. I would love to hear from you.

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