Aloe Vera: The Ingredient That Your Hair Needs
You’ve probably heard of aloe vera before, and you may have even seen it in the past. For centuries, this cactus-like plant has been used to help heal wounds, improve digestive health, and even clear acne. Since COVID, the plant has become a more common fixture in people’s homes as the leaves of the plant can be cut open to extract the inner gel.
And while Coconut Oil and Argan Oil have been used in hair care products for decades, aloe vera is a relatively new weapon in the hair care arsenal. Routine Shampoo and Conditioner both contain organic aloe vera gel, because the gel is rich in Vitamins A, B, C, and E, along with 18 of the 20 amino acids found in the human body.
So what exactly can aloe vera do for your hair? Here are a few of the reasons we use it!
Strengthen Hair
While aloe vera gel is full of vitamins, the amino acids in aloe vera can also help strengthen your hair. The fatty amino acids, along with Vitamin B and the folic acid properties found in the plant’s juice play critical roles in strengthening your hair strands, and giving you thicker hair with more volume.
Maintain Your Scalp Biome
By now, we’ve all heard stories about our gut microbiome, but your skin and scalp also have natural biomes where your body’s oils live. Aloe vera juice contains enzymes that help breakdown fats, which means the juice can gently remove any excess oils that have built up on your scalp. At the same time, because aloe vera juice is still hydrating and gentle, your hair will maintain that soft, shiny appearance.
Prevent Sun Damage
If you’ve ever gotten sunburned, you’ve probably been told to apply aloe vera to the burn to help it heal quickly. That’s because aloe vera can help reduce inflammation, because it contains bradykinase, a type of peptidase. Aloe vera can help reduce sun damage on your scalp, which is particularly important if you have thin hair, and can also stimulate the production of collagen, which can improve the appearance of your skin and hair.
Hair Growth
While there aren’t any scientific studies to prove this just yet, many have surmised that aloe vera plays a critical role in regrowing hair. In fact, some studies and researchers have pinpointed that aloenin, a chemical compound in the plant, is a factor in promoting hair growth—especially for those experiencing hair loss. In fact, the plant’s juices have been used to improve hair health and lessen breakage.
