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What Is Aloe Vera And Why Is It Good For Natural Hair?

21/12/2013

 
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Aloe vera is a stemless thorny plant with thick, fleshy green leaves. It can be purchased in various forms including as an oil, a gel, a juice/liquid or even as a powder. You can also just buy a little aloe vera plant and extract the gel yourself.

I used to keep an aloe vera plant in my kitchen to soothe any burns very quickly. It is very effective in this function.

The healing properties of aloe vera have been known for centuries. Specifically these are the benefits of aloe vera for hair:

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  • It can help to soothe and moisturize the scalp thereby reducing dandruff, itchiness, inflammation or dryness.
  • When it comes to hair, proponents argue that the many vitamins and minerals found in aloe vera can help to moisturize, condition, strengthen and restore hair.
  • It is reputed to have antibacterial, antioxidant, humectant and UV protection qualities
  • There is no solid evidence but others claim aloe vera helps to promote hair growth, reduce hair loss, hair thinning and excessive frizz.

To derive the greatest benefit it is best to get the gel straight from the plant, however, the liquid, store-bought form carries most of the properties. 

The main difference is that the oils from the plant tend not to be found in the liquid version. The powder, if it is pure and unmixed with any other powder ingredients, will be just as beneficial as the liquid type.

Importantly for mixtresses: buy aloe vera that’s been preserved for your DIY haircare recipes otherwise you could get serious contamination issues with your products. If you will extract the gel from the plant yourself extract just the amount you need to use on that day and of course, preserve your product so that it doesn’t rot or refrigerate the gel and use it within a couple of weeks.

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Queen
19/12/2013 04:04:51 am

Thanks I needed this info. I have the plant in. My back yard too. I mixed the gel with my hair cream and started using for my self and daughter it changed color n my girls scalp got red. Now I believe it got contaminated. Now I know better.
Thanks

Heather @ Neno Natural
19/12/2013 04:41:17 am

Preservatives are vital. I have seen some natural products marketing themselves as "no preservatives" that is either outright misleading or it's a very dangerous product.

Of course, when we mix for ourselves too we need to throw stuff away after a while or preserve. In 2014 I will hook you up with mad recipes including ow to preserves your homemade hair care recipes.

Merry Christmas!

Phylensia
19/12/2013 02:30:31 pm

Great info.. So do you just take the gel straight from the plant? Thanks for the info......

Mary Welch
8/1/2014 04:13:26 am

Can I use aloe vera juice in the winter? I worry that it will work like glycerin and dry my hair out.

Heather Katsonga-Woodward
8/1/2014 11:31:37 am

The extent to which aloe vera and glycerin are bad for hair in winter also depends on exactly how much time you spend outside in winter with loose hair. If you're mostly indoors and using protective styles they are both fine. I would try it to see how it works.

Heather :) xx

Mary Welch
8/1/2014 07:21:14 pm

Not for me. My hair began responding totally different to my normal products with glycerin beginning in October when the weather changed. The reaction was immediately after applying it. My hair would shrivel up and dry out so I stopped using it.

Rochelle Serrell
30/1/2014 03:34:42 am

Thank you so much Heather! I recently started using the meat from the aloe vera plant and my hair loves it. I use it straight from the plant and run it on my hair and scalp. Wear a plastic cap for about 30 minutes and rinse out. Super soft frizz free hair. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

glenda
1/4/2014 08:00:11 am

Hi ive jus did the big chop an goin natural an my little one is natural as well an she is 7yr old and I have the aloe vera juice an it says to refrigerate after I open it but want I really want to know what can leave it out once I mix it with water an another oil or will I have to keep it in the frig

Sheila link
18/9/2014 01:02:21 pm

Thanks Heather i am going to try this i still have some perm growing out on thr ends of my hair but if it doesn't like it i will cut it out (ends) thanks again.

Crystal
4/1/2015 08:27:20 am

Once the aloe vera juice is opened you have to put it in the fridge even if you mix it with water. The aloe vera juice is only good for 2 weeks.

Duni
23/2/2015 04:37:03 pm

Hi Heather,

Could you plz advice how to use aloe vera to make a spritz. I understand that I can mix it at a ratio of 1:1 with water but my main concern is how can I store the remaining aloe vera if I buy a large bottle. I understand that it starts to spoil after two to three weeks in the fridge and I don't want to waste my money buying aloe vera juice every three weeks. Thanks


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    By Heather Katsonga-Woodward

    I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx

    p.s. I now blog about wealth and personal finance on my personal website.

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