Olive Oil: A Natural Hair Moisturizer

By Leticia Rodriguez

Finding the perfect hair product can be a hit or miss experience for you. After spending hundreds of dollars on various brands and being suckered into believing the promises the product offers, we’re often left with dissatisfaction.

But, the solution to your hair woes may actually be in your kitchen. Many of the healthy things we put into our body can also have healthy benefits for the outside.

Olive oil is one of them. Being full of Vitamin E and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, olive oil can save your hair in many ways. It can promote healthy hair growth, strengthen, moisturize and even rid your head of dandruff or lice.

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There are several types of olive oil and as with any product the higher quality one will provide the greatest benefit. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed and as a result contains the most nutrients. Organic olive oil removes the possibility of harmful chemicals coming into contact with your skin, which is a bonus for your scalp. Of course, all qualities of olive oil will help repair your hair.

To repair damage from chemicals like dye, or exposure to heat and processing, try a hot olive oil treatment and see immediate results. Before and after styling, the oil can also be used as a smoothing serum.

When it comes to experimenting with products, I’m in the running for money wasted. I decided to see what olive oil could do to my heavily processed and heat ravaged hair.

Prior to the treatment my hair was dry, brittle and frizzy. I opted to go all out and use extra virgin olive oil in a hot treatment and a serum before blow-drying.

After washing the oil out, my hair felt soft and healthy, the way it feels after a salon washing. During blow drying, my hair seemed uncharacteristically volumized and the frizz was gone. And this was just the first time I used oil. Several days and several flat iron styles later, my hair is still thick and soft.

The results of an olive oil treatment will vary among people, depending on your hair texture and level of damage.

But, chances are you have some olive oil in your kitchen cabinets, so why not give it a try?

Here’s my quick hot olive oil treatment recipe:

1. In a microwave safe bowl, heat a ¼ cup of oil for 30 seconds.

2. Carefully pour hot oil onto hair and massage into scalp.

3. Use any excess oil to cover hair ends.

4. Wrap hair with a towel or shower cap and let sit for 20-30 minutes.

5. Shampoo until oil is washed out (may need more than one wash).

You may decide to use a conditioner or leave the hair as is, then style as desired.