What Happens When You Use Aloe Vera On Your Hair? Experts Weigh In
As seen in Refinery 29 | May 2, 2022 | by Hilary Shepard
Aloe vera has long been touted for its skin-healing properties, and more specifically, its ability to provide instantaneous (and deeply soothing) relief for sunburnt skin. But recently, the cactus-like plant has become revered for doing more than just lessening the painful blow of an extended catnap under the sun: Aloe vera is being linked to improved hair health and appearance, with popular hair-care brands featuring it in shampoos, conditioners, masks, and styling products, and TikTok users turning to it as a natural remedy for lackluster strands, an itchy or dandruff-afflicted scalp, and even hair loss.
What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera is a succulent that grows in arid, tropical regions. It has thick, sturdy leaves that contain clear, gel-like liquid. The plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. According to Danielle Keasling, celebrity hairstylist and Ulta Beauty Pro Member, aloe contains active ingredients — like folic acid and vitamins A, C, E, and B12 — that can promote a “multitude of hair and scalp health benefits.”
What does it do for hair?
Strong scientific studies highlighting the exact benefits aloe vera has on hair are still lacking, says Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University. However, she cites a study in which aloe vera was proven as an effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis — aka dandruff — due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. And while it might not be a magical elixir that’ll instantly produce longer hair, aloe vera can help strengthen it or reduce scalp itchiness. (You can chalk it up to aloe’s fatty and amino acids, oil-busting enzymes, and those aforementioned vitamins, notes Keasling.)
