Are you tired of your hair drying out and, even worse, your ends becoming brittle? Well, if you think outside the box – or follow the wisdom of those before you whom have – there’s certainly an answer. Because many unusual, nay counter-intuitive hair treatments are out there. Indeed, experts are only too happy to talk up the advantages of applying eggs, avocados, bananas, mayonnaise and even beer to your locks, but number one on their list of alternative hair treatments – especially for dry hair – is olive oil.
Granted, it may not strike one as the ideal dry hair treatment, but the truth is olive oil’s not only strengthens individual hairs, it improves the overall flexibility of the hair shafts, thereby making them easily manageable. That’s because it’s rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, which help heal damaged hair by sealing the cuticle, or outer layer, with moisture.
Olive oil then offers an excellent blend of nutrition and conditioning, restoring natural sheen and thickness to even the most damaged hair – whether you’ve splashed out for a luxurious hair treatment in the hands of experts at the Montcalm Spa London or you’ve opted for a home remedy of your own
But how do you treat dry hair with olive oil? If you’re interested in the do-it-yourself at home approach, here’s some need-to-know information and handy tips:
Shampoo
Many shampoos actually already contain olive oil, as you may be aware. Why? The reason’s two-fold. The oil possesses a natural capacity to hydrate and so rejuvenate hair shafts, while olive leaf extract helps soften and add sheen and moisture to hair. Together then, this makes olive oil for dry hair the perfect remedy.
Conditioning
The primary reason why your hair has become dry and brittle could well be because you’ve used hair colourants and hair dryers a good deal (UV rays and the salt and chlorine in water will also have contributed). To counteract the effects of these, conditioning your hair with olive oil is highly advised because this will lock the oil’s enormously beneficial fatty acids in the follicles as it penetrates the shafts. Experts recommend undergoing an olive oil conditioning at least once a month – it should return strength and body to your hair and, visually speaking, give it back that much sought after healthy, natural look.
Stimulant for the Scalp
You can massage your scalp as well as your hair with olive oil; doing so doesn’t just nourish the hair, it invigorates the scalp, which in turn will make the hair itself healthier and more manageable. Also, while styling your hair, add a small amount of olive oil to lock the moisture in your dry hair strands and make them glossy.
Three home remedies for dry hair using olive oil:
Hot Oil Treatment
- Warm ¼ cup of olive oil in a microwave
- Taking care, slowly pour the cooled-boiled oil over your head and gently massage the scalp
- As you do so, run your fingers through the length of your hair to spread the oil’s moisture evenly
- Make sure you’ve used an adequate amount of oil so your hair’s saturated
- Keep the oil on for 30 minutes, and then wash it out with a nourishing shampoo
- Repeat the treatment at least once a week to achieve best results.
Note: coconut oil, almond oil, castor oil, jojoba oil or corn oil will all operate as adequate substitutions for olive oil for this treatment; all should strengthen and deliver moisture and shine to your hair.
Intensive Treatment (For Extremely Dry Hair)
- Pour equal amounts of olive oil and boiling water into a blender and mix them at high speed until they’re emulsified
- Massage the (still warm) mixture into your hair and scalp
- Wrap your head with a terry towel or plastic wrap for between 15 to 30 minutes
Note: To remove all residues of the oil following this treatment, you may have to shampoo your hair twice.
Egg and Olive Oil Hair Mask
It’s a well-known fact that eggs are rich in protein, therefore when applied to hair in the correct kind of treatment they can fortify hair shafts and so strengthen damaged, brittle hair. Moreover, believe it or not, cucumbers can help to remove the residue of olive oil (should you have applied it to your hair) and traces of shampoo. In which case, this treatment makes use of both eggs and peeled cucumbers, in addition to olive oil, of course.
- Place 1 egg, ½ peeled and chopped cucumber and 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a blender – and mix them
- Apply the resultant mixture with a brush to your hair
- Allow it to set and become a mask, leaving it on for between 10 to 20 minutes
- Afterwards, wash your hair twice with a nourishing shampoo to remove all residues of the mask.
It’s also worth considering keeping an olive oil treatment on your hair for longer than advised above if your hair is extremely brittle and dry – at least 45 minutes or even overnight. Treatment time then will vary from person to person owing to the dryness of their hair; generally speaking, to treat minor dryness, an olive oil application of between 15 to 30 minutes should deliver the sort of results you’re looking for.
