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Home arrow Beauty arrow Hair arrow Avocado Oil for Hair Growth: 5 Benefits and Uses

Avocado Oil for Hair Growth: 5 Benefits and Uses

HR_author_photo_Rosmy
Written by Rosmy Barrios, MD
Dr. Donika Vata
Fact checked by Donika Vata, MD
Last update: May 10, 2023
9 min read 765 Views 0 Comments
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Is avocado oil good for hair growth, or is it better as a tasty snack?

avocado oil for hair growth

Avocado is a delicious fruit that can be eaten on toast, in salads, or even added to smoothies. But did you know that it can also be beneficial as part of your haircare routine?

However, like many other haircare supplements, it is unclear whether this one can really provide a solution to thinning or frizzy hair.

Read on to find out the benefits of avocado oil and whether or not it really does promote growth.

Does Avocado Oil Help With Hair Growth?

Yes, avocado oil can contribute to hair growth if you use it regularly. The vitamins and minerals that this homemade oil contains help keep your locks long and luscious, while the antioxidants protect hair from inflammation and dryness.

As a fruit, the high levels of biotin and vitamin E within avocados help reduce scalp inflammation and prevent shedding. They also produce keratin, a protein that is essential for building healthy hair follicles.

The antioxidants present in the oil prevent follicles from being damaged by environmental factors such as UV radiation and pollution. This ensures that hair remains strong and shiny.

However, the scalp does not absorb nutrients in the same way as the skin. This is because hair is made up of dead cells

So, although avocado oil helps hair to look shinier, feel thicker, and appear healthier, it does not have the direct ability to promote growth.

5 Benefits of Avocado Oil for Hair 

Once it has been extracted from the fruit, avocado oil has several advantages for your haircare routine. It contains several nutrients that are essential for restoring your hair’s natural elasticity, shine, and strength.

The benefits of avocado oil include:

#1 Strengthens hair

Avocado oil contains a range of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, E, potassium, and magnesium.

These nutrients help to seal cuticle cells, which strengthens hair to prevent it from breaking. They also help hair to look smoother, shinier, and generally healthier.

Avocados are full of monounsaturated fatty acids, which makes them a good option to eat on the keto diet. However, these healthy fats also help to keep hair moist and smooth and prevent any breakages that may occur as a result of weak hair.

#2 Contributes to hair growth

Pure avocado oil is frequently used as a carrier oil for lavender and peppermint essential oils. These essential oils have been shown to promote the growth of hair.

Avocados are also rich in biotin, or vitamin B7. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that has been found to boost hair growth. This is because it produces keratin, a type of amino acid that helps revitalize dead follicles and build new, stronger hair strands.

Alongside vitamin B7, the oil contains vitamin D. This is a fat-soluble vitamin that fuels the cells to create keratin and produce new follicles. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss.

However, there is little evidence to suggest that applying avocado oil has a direct impact on hair growth. Instead, the nutrients that it contains help to create optimal scalp health, which contributes to healthy hair.

#3 May prevent hair loss

Massaging avocado oil into the scalp helps stimulate blood flow and unclog blocked hair follicles. This provides a healthy environment for new follicles to grow and reduces the risk of hair being lost through inflammation and irritation.

Also, the vitamin E found in avocado oil acts as an antioxidant to fight damage to hair caused by chemicals and other genetic factors. 

A study found that vitamin E supplementation reduces hair loss for those suffering from alopecia. It does this by reducing oxidative stress in the scalp, which is a suggested cause of hair loss.

#4 Soothes the scalp

Vitamins such as biotin that are found in avocados can help reduce inflammation on the scalp. Inflammation can be irritating, sore, and cause sufferers to scratch their heads, which leads to dandruff, flaking, and hair loss.

Using avocado oil, therefore, soothes this irritation and ensures that the scalp is a healthy environment for new follicles to grow.

Although the oil can reduce flaking, it cannot completely get rid of dandruff. This is because avocado oil is high in lipids, which are fatty compounds that can be found on the scalp. 

Dandruff feeds off these lipids, meaning that applying the oil may worsen the condition.

#5 Prevents dryness

Avocado oil contains a variety of vitamins and pigments, such as vitamin E, vitamin D, and carotenoids, such as beta carotene and lutein. 

The fat-soluble antioxidants present in plant oils fight free radicals which cause hair damage. Free radicals may develop in the body as a result of pollution, UV damage, or chronic stress

As it is rich in healthy unsaturated fats such as oleic acid, avocado oil can fully penetrate the hair shaft. Other oils simply sit on the surface and make it feel greasy, whereas avocado oil sinks in and moisturizes hair.

How to Use Avocado Oil on Hair

The great news is that avocado oil is suitable for use by people with all hair types. This is because of its non-clogging properties, which allow the oil to fully penetrate the scalp and work its magic, no matter the thickness of your hair.

So, how do you use avocado oil on your hair? Here are a few of the best ways:

Scalp massage

Avocado oil can be used on its own as a treatment to protect the scalp’s health. In turn, this helps to fight hair loss.

To do this, massage a thumb-sized amount directly onto your scalp. This can be done twice a day, both morning and night. There’s no need to wash it out unless your hair feels super greasy, as the scalp should absorb the oil quickly if you’ve used the right amount.

Treatment for split ends

Rich in nutrients such as potassium and magnesium, avocado oil is an effective treatment for preventing split ends.

Run a nickel-sized amount of avocado oil through the ends of your hair to prevent strands from splitting and breaking. The oil should be used sparingly to prevent hair from becoming greasy and limp.

Detangler

Vigorous combing causes damage to hair follicles, not to mention it can be painful for you. To avoid this, try applying a small amount of avocado oil through the tangles in your damp hair before brushing gently. 

This will reduce the amount of force put through your hair when it is combed, which reduces the risk of damage.

Leave-in conditioner

Fatty acids in avocado oil help to keep hair shiny, strong, and healthy.

When your hair is damp or dry, apply a dab of oil through the ends. You can also use it as a hot oil treatment by applying it to strands and rinsing after 30 minutes.

However, you should avoid styling damp hair with heat until the oil is completely absorbed. This can cause the hair to become dry and frizzy, and can damage essential proteins, contributing to hair loss.

Hair mask

Using avocado oil in a hair mask is a great way to leave your hair feeling soft, smooth, and looking shiny. These are the ingredients that you will need:

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 banana
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp honey

To make the avocado hair mask:

  1. Blend the avocado and banana together until there are no lumps.
  2. Once blended, add the oils and the honey.
  3. The mask can be left in your hair for 20 minutes up to 3 hours before being washed off with chemical-free shampoo or warm water.

How to Make Avocado Oil at Home 

While avocado oil can be purchased ready-made, making it yourself is an easy, cost-efficient way of enjoying the treatment at home. 

Here’s a recipe that creates approximately 10 tablespoons of oil:

Ingredients 

  • 10 medium-sized, ripe avocados

Directions 

  1. Use a blender, food processor, or fork to mash the avocados into a smooth paste.
  2. Next, line several baking trays with parchment paper. Spread the paste in a ½-inch thick layer onto each tray.
  3. Leave the avocado paste for 4–5 days away from sunlight to allow it to dry. It may take a longer or shorter amount of time, depending on the climate where you live. The paste should start to go brown.
  4. Once brown, mix it well and re-spread into a thin layer at least 2 times a day, morning and evening. Repeat this for the 4–5 day drying period.
  5. When the avocado paste is very dark brown and dry, place it into a muslin cloth. Squeeze the oil into an air-tight container to drain the oil from the paste. 

When you leave avocado oil away from direct sunlight and heat, it can last for up to 1 year.

Coconut Oil vs. Avocado Oil for Hair

Depending on your hair type, it’s likely that avocado oil is the better choice for you when it comes to at-home hair treatments.

This is because avocado oil is suitable for all hair types, whereas extra virgin coconut oil is not as effective for those with oily or fine hair. This is because it is a heavy, greasy oil that can clog the follicles and cause irritation if you apply too much.

Both avocado and coconut oil ensure that your scalp is healthy as they contain high levels of vitamin E. This means that they can both create the ideal conditions for optimal hair growth.

However, the pH level and high saturated fat content of extra virgin coconut oil prevent moisture from entering the hair strands, which can cause dryness and breakage. 

In comparison, avocado oil contains large amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, which enable it to penetrate the hair shaft and restore health to strands.

FAQs

Are there any side effects of avocado oil on hair?

Luckily, avocado oil does not have many side effects when used correctly. Applying too much can cause your hair to become greasy, so only use a nickel-sized amount each time.

Those with an avocado allergy should avoid using the oil even if they aren’t eating it, as it can still cause an allergic reaction. This may cause redness, itching, and hives. Avocado products should also be avoided if you have a latex allergy.

What can be mixed with avocado oil to promote hair growth?

Combining 3–6 drops of lavender, peppermint, or tea tree oil with avocado oil is a great way of making your own hair treatment.

Avocado oil acts as a nutrient-rich carrier to dilute the strong essential oils, which may help to promote hair growth. For example, a study found that peppermint oil increased the number of follicles, follicle depth, and overall hair growth for mice.

Is avocado oil good for the scalp?

Vitamins such as biotin, found in avocado oil, help soothe the scalp by reducing inflammation. This makes you less likely to get a dry or flaky scalp, which can cause you to scratch and lead to further hair damage.

Avocado oil also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress in the scalp by fighting free radicals. As a result, you are less likely to experience hair loss.

A Word From a Trichologist

Avocado oil is effective for strengthening follicles, improving shine and overall hair health. However, there is little evidence to suggest that it is directly responsible for hair growth.

In addition to using products like avocado oil, maintaining your overall wellness is the best way to promote healthy hair growth. This will ensure that your body is getting all the essential nutrients it needs for good hair health.

You should eat avocado as part of a balanced diet. It can be used as a healthy toast topper, on a sandwich made with multigrain bread, or to make guacamole.

Avocado oil is suitable for most hair types as it absorbs deep into the scalp. However, you should avoid it if you are allergic to the fruit. Like with any hair product, always conduct a patch test with avocado oil before using it to check for harmful side effects.

Conclusion

Avocado oil may not grow your hair directly. However, it does repair damaged hair, act as a moisturizer, and maintain a healthy scalp, all of which contribute to hair growth. 

From using it as a leave-in conditioner to making a mask, there are several ways to incorporate avocado oil into your haircare routine. Apply a teaspoon of oil once or twice a day to ensure that you are not making the ends too greasy.

Remember that you should always patch test before using any new hair product. Avoid this particular oil if you have an avocado allergy.

Written by Rosmy Barrios, MD
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, is a medical advisor for the Health Reporter, the head of the anti-aging department, and a regenerative medicine specialist in several medical institutions with years of experience in aesthetic medicine and cosmetology.
The article was fact checked by Donika Vata, MD
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HR_author_photo_Rosmy
Written by Rosmy Barrios, MD
Dr. Donika Vata
Fact checked by Donika Vata, MD
Last update: May 10, 2023
9 min read 765 Views 0 Comments
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