Benefits of Olive Oil to Hair: 6 Benefits + Uses

Olive oil has been a staple in the beauty realm for centuries. The ancient Greeks used it to treat cuts, rashes, and burns on the skin. And today, you’ll find it in everything from soaps and scrubs to hair care products.

When used regularly, olive oil will give your hair a healthy, thicker appearance and help keep it looking soft and shiny.

In this article, you will learn the benefits of olive oil for your hair and how you can use it to promote the growth of your hair.

What Is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is a liquid fat obtained from the fruit of the olive tree, and it’s been used for everything from cooking to skincare for thousands of years.

It’s also a huge part of the Mediterranean diet, which has long been touted as one of the healthiest ways to eat. Olive oil is great for the hair as well, and it can help you achieve a beautiful crown of hair that looks shiny and healthy.

Olive oil is also great for skin, as it contains fatty acids that help moisturize skin and repair damaged skin. It also contains antioxidants like vitamins A and E which prevent free radical damage that leads to premature aging.

What Are the Benefits of Olive Oil to Hair?

1. Prevents Frizziness

One of the many benefits of olive oil is that it helps smoothen rough cuticles on your hair shafts, which prevents frizziness. Its high content of fatty acids also makes it great for strengthening the hair shaft and improving elasticity against breakage.

2. Moisturizes Hair

If you have dry and brittle hair, then olive oil is just what you need. You can use it as a deep conditioning treatment or as an everyday moisturizer for your hair.

It will help keep your hair soft and moisturized, and also help prevent split ends due to its high vitamin content (vitamin E).

3. Treats Dandruff

Olive oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties that help treat dandruff and other scalp infections. The moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil also help reduce scalp dryness and inflammation.

4. Promotes Hair Growth

If you’d like to boost the growth of your hair, then olive oil may be able to help with this too. Olive oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that promote hair growth by strengthening the roots of your hair strands from deep within the scalp.

SEE: How to Make My Hair Grow Fast: The Secrets to Healthy, Fuller, Longer Hair

5. Repairs Damaged Hair and Makes It Shiny

You might also consider using olive oil if you have dry or damaged hair from heat styling tools or chemical treatments. Olive oil contains fatty acids and antioxidants, which can help nourish your hair and make it soft and shiny.

6. Protect Against Environmental Factors

Adding olive oil to your hair care routine can help protect against environmental factors such as pollution, UV rays, and harsh weather conditions. It’s rich in antioxidants, which help fight these factors, making your hair healthier and shinier.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Using Olive Oil for Hair?

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to olive oil, which could cause a rash or redness on your scalp. If you’ve never used olive oil before, test it out first by applying a small amount on your wrists. Wait 24 hours and check for signs of an allergic reaction like redness, swelling, or itching.

Mucous membrane irritation

More commonly referred to as eye irritation, this can occur if you get olive oil in your eyes. Make sure to wash your hands well after applying it or use a separate applicator to apply it to your hair so that you don’t transfer any to your face or eyes.

Scalp irritation

Olive oil is safe and non-irritating, but there is a slight chance that it may irritate your scalp. If you have a sensitive scalp, try doing a patch test on a small area before using it on your entire head.

SEE: Tips for Natural Hair Growth: These Tips That Will Help You Save Money

How to Use Olive Oil for Hair

Use it as a moisturizer

Olive oil is a natural moisturizer that will help keep your hair soft and shiny. Massage the oil directly into your hair or mix it with your favorite hair moisturizer for added moisture.

Add to conditioner or shampoo

Another way to get the benefits of olive oil for your hair is to add it to your shampoo or conditioner. Mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil with 3 ounces of your regular shampoo or conditioner.

Work this mixture through your hair and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with water as usual.

Use olive oil as a leave-in conditioner

You can apply olive oil directly to your hair after shampooing and conditioning. You should use a few drops at a time, massaging them into your hair and scalp. This will help smooth and strengthen your hair while also adding a healthy shine.

Use it to control dandruff

Apply olive oil to your scalp and massage it with your fingers. Leave it on for an hour, then wash out as usual. Do this at least three times a week to help control dandruff.

Use it to remove product build-up

You can use olive oil to remove product build-up from your scalp, which can cause flakes and itchiness.

Pour a quarter-sized amount of olive oil onto damp hair and massage it into the scalp using your fingers. Leave the oil on for 15 minutes, then rinse hair with shampoo.

Apply olive oil to dry ends

You can apply a little bit of olive oil to your dry ends if they feel especially frizzy or look unhealthy. Just rub a few drops between your palms and then scrunch into the bottom part of your hair.

Mix olive oil with other ingredients to make a hair mask

Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil with 2 tablespoons honey and 1 mashed banana in a small bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and then apply the mixture to dry hair, covering the strands completely from root to tip. Allow the hair mask to penetrate your hair for 30 minutes before washing it out with a mild shampoo.

Use olive oil as a hot oil treatment

Heat some olive oil in a small bowl until it’s warm (not hot), and then just pour it over your hair. If you want to be extra sure that you get even coverage, you can use a spray bottle instead of pouring it directly out of the bowl.

Let your hair soak up the oil for 10-30 minutes before washing out with shampoo and conditioner as per usual. Make sure not to apply too much so that your hair doesn’t look greasy after washing.  This treatment will leave your hair feeling soft and smooth after one use.

SEE: Discover Amazing Benefits of Hot Oil Treatment to Natural Hair

FAQs

Can you leave olive oil in your hair without washing it out?

Yes, you can. But the key is to not overdo it and to only use a small amount of olive oil. A tablespoon is usually enough for shorter hair and two tablespoons if you have long hair.

You should also use extra virgin olive oil if you are going to leave olive oil in your hair without washing it out.

Is Olive oil good for your scalp?

Yes, it is. Using olive oil can help prevent dandruff, relieve scalp dryness and irritation, improve blood circulation, and even promote hair growth.

You can apply olive oil directly to your scalp or mix it with other nourishing oils like coconut, almond, or castor oil. You can also mix it with some honey to make a nourishing mask for your hair.

Is olive oil good for thin hair?

Yes, it is. Not only does it have moisturizing qualities that can help improve the vitality of your hair, but it also has antioxidants that are beneficial for your scalp.

The best way to use olive oil on your thin hair is to apply it as a hot oil treatment. You can do this by taking warm olive oil and applying it to your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let the oil penetrate for 30 minutes before rinsing out.

Conclusion

If you’re exploring natural hair care options, olive oil is a great choice for several reasons. It’s rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that can help your hair grow longer, thicker, and stronger.

It can help nourish and heal your scalp, which is particularly helpful if you suffer from dandruff or other types of scalp conditions.

You can also avoid the chemicals and dyes found in some commercial hair products when you use olive oil to nourish your tresses.

Thanks for reading.

Visit Africana Fashion for more information on how to make your hair healthier.