As the weather outside gets more and more frightful – both temperature and Halloween included – it’s time to start thinking about how to replenish our hair and protect it from the elements, be it a bone-chilling breeze, or a funky Halloween hair-dye!
The restorative powers of aloe vera
Aloe vera has been used worldwide to soothe wounds and speed up healing for everything from sunburns to cuts and scrapes. But aloe vera isn’t just great for your skin – it’s a promising method to help gently cleanse and replenish all types of hair – from dry and brittle strands to hair as oily as a pair of snakeskin boots (yuck!).Top 3 aloe vera benefits for your hair
- Calms irritation: The fatty acids in aloe vera have anti-inflammatory properties, which has been shown to help calm the irritation and inflammation caused by scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, ie. dandruff.
- Deep cleaning ability: Aloe vera gently strips away excess sebum (hair oil) build-up and other chemical residues without damaging the structure of your hair, restoring shine and making it feathery-soft.
- Strengthens, repairs, and promotes new growth: Because of its high concentration of vitamins A, C, and E (which all contribute to cell turnover), aloe vera helps strengthen existing hair, and keeps hair from falling out (due to vitamins B-12 and folic acid). Aloe vera also stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which can boost hair growth.
How to extract aloe vera from an aloe plant
All you need to do is gently slice a stalk off from your aloe vera plant and scrape out the clear, jelly-like substance inside.If you’re like us and wince at the thought of causing your poor little aloe plant pain – remember, aloe vera carries super healing properties, and that includes its ability to heal itself. It will just take time to do so.
The more aloe vera plants, the merrier your home will be!
We recommend keeping a few aloe vera plants around the house so you can cycle through each plant. Not only will this give your aloe plants a break from harvesting, but more plants mean your home will be a healthier, happier place to be – for both your physical and mental health!If you’d rather not harvest your own aloe gel, you can also purchase aloe vera gel in-store. Just be sure to look for as few ingredients as possible, to keep your aloe vera gel as pure as possible.
3 DIY aloe vera hair mask recipes to replenish and protect your hair
We’ve got your masks ready – and just in time for Halloween ;).1. Aloe Vera + Coconut
For ultimate nourishing power, use this great recipe. Not only will coconut oil lock in moisture, making your hair's silky soft strands hard to resist playing with, but it will also give your hair a mirror-like shine and can even help reduce frizz.Mix until smooth:
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk
- Massage mask onto scalp and work through hair until saturated
- Brush hair with a wet brush like the Denmam Brush Here!
- Leave on for up to 30 minutes to an hour
- Rinse hair with warm water, then condition
- Repeat this hair mask every other week
2. Aloe Vera + Apple Cider Vinegar
To rid yourself of an annoying, flaky and itchy scalp, try harnessing the power of apple cider vinegar, known to stimulate the shedding of dead skin and kill bacteria.Combine until smooth:
- 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (for added moisture-locking and smoothing effects)
- Massage mask onto scalp and work through hair until saturated
- Brush hair with a wet brush or wide-toothed comb
- Leave mask on hair for up to 20 minutes
- Rinse hair with warm water, then use a mild shampoo and conditioner
- Repeat this hair mask every other week
--> Learn some clever cooking tips to get more apple cider vinegar into your diet!
3. Aloe Vera + Green Tea
Containing special antioxidants believed to help stimulate hair growth, this is a great option for any green tea enthusiasts out there. While you're creating this recipe, you can even enjoy a cup or two of green tea!
In a blender, blend until smooth:
- ½ cup freshly brewed green tea
- ½ cup fresh aloe vera gel
- Blend until the mixture is smooth without lumps, as they can stick to your hair
- Massage mask onto scalp and work through hair until saturated
- Brush hair with a wet brush or wide-toothed comb
- Leave mask on hair for up to 20 minutes
- Rinse hair with cool water
- Repeat this hair mask once per week
--> Read more about The Top Tea Soaks for Softer, more Luxurious Hair
Use aloe vera hair masks for happy, healthy hair
These are just a handful of great aloe vera hair mask recipes, and we encourage you to experiment with all three recipes to discover your favorite!
*Before you use an aloe vera mask, be sure to do a spot check on yourself to see if you have an aloe vera allergy or sensitivity. Spread a small amount of aloe vera gel onto the inside of your wrist and wait for up to two hours to see if you react.
**You should also be careful using aloe if you’re also applying a hydrocortisone cream, as aloe vera can increase the amount of cortisone absorbed by your skin.
Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash
