Cross section of hair Polar oils are oils that have molecules that can migrate into a hair fibre. They are attracted into the hair shaft by the protein keratin found inside the cortex.
Polar oils are effective for sealing in moisture but only for a limited time. Over time, polar oils migrate into the hair fibre so the seal is removed.
On the other hand non-polar oils form a complete barrier and don't allow moisture into or out of the hair fibre. This may sound like a fabulous feature but it isn't because hair natural dries anyway. Once the hair dries a non-polar oil would make it almost impossible to re-moisturise the hair.
Polar oils are effective for sealing in moisture but only for a limited time. Over time, polar oils migrate into the hair fibre so the seal is removed.
On the other hand non-polar oils form a complete barrier and don't allow moisture into or out of the hair fibre. This may sound like a fabulous feature but it isn't because hair natural dries anyway. Once the hair dries a non-polar oil would make it almost impossible to re-moisturise the hair.
| Examples of Relatively Polar Oils That Seal Hair For Longer Castor oil Flaxseed oil Grapeseed oil | Examples of Non-polar Oils Mineral oils Petrolatum |
Polar oils offer you flexibility because whilst they can seal hair effectively they can also be rinsed off easily.
If you follow a no-poo regime or use weaker, sulfate free shampoos then you'll have no problems washing polar oils off. Petrolatums and mineral oils need the strength of a sulfate-containing shampoo to be washed off and they need to be washed off to re-moisturise hair again.
If you follow a no-poo regime or use weaker, sulfate free shampoos then you'll have no problems washing polar oils off. Petrolatums and mineral oils need the strength of a sulfate-containing shampoo to be washed off and they need to be washed off to re-moisturise hair again.
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What Are Polar Oils? How Do They Protect Natural Hair from Hygral Fatigue?
Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.
What Are Polar Oils? How Do They Protect Natural Hair from Hygral Fatigue?
Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.
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