Amla oil has long been used in Eastern medicine, and it is quickly becoming a new haircare trend around the globe thanks to all the benefits of amla oil for hair.
To learn the ins and outs of amla oil for hair health, read on!
Amla oil helps hair in multiple ways, including supporting hair growth, preventing grey hair, protecting hair, and keeping it well-conditioned. The vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties of amla oil make it highly beneficial for all types of hair.
Keep reading to learn about all the surprising benefits of amla oil, how to use it yourself to give your hair health a boost, and what side effects you must watch out for.
Benefits of Amla Oil for Hair
What is amla oil, and what can it do for your hair?
Amla oil comes from the fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree, a medicinal plant that is also known as the Amla tree.
The Amla tree is popular in Eastern medicine for its health benefits, which are listed below:
1. Enhances Hair Growth
The rich nutrients in amla oil, including vitamins C and E, stimulate hair follicles and support hair growth.
Amla oil’s natural antioxidants may help scalp and hair cells regenerate, which aids hair growth.
What is more, the weekly or multi-weekly practice of massaging amla oil into the scalp stimulates local blood cells, which further enhances amla oil’s positive effect on hair growth.
2. Slows Hair Greying Process
When you consider amla oil for hair benefits, preventing or slowing grey hair growth is one advantage that cannot be overlooked.
Thanks to the nutrients in amla oil, it may help preserve pigmentation in hair. As the hair maintains more pigments, the rate of greying slows.
Using amla oil for grey hair is relatively inexpensive and highly accessible to anyone battling premature greying.
Regular use of amla oil will help brunette hair shades stay darker, and longer.
3. Prevent Hair Loss
Due to amla oil’s ability to strengthen and stimulate hair follicles, it may be a hair-loss prevention method.
But does amla oil really work for hair loss?
More research is needed on the topic, but the overall benefits, along with user reports, suggest that it does help some people.
Note that amla oil will not necessarily have the same effects as hair-loss prevention treatments like Minoxidil (Rogaine’s active ingredient).
4. Adds Shine to Hair
Amla oil provides much-needed moisture to the hair and leaves it looking healthier and shinier.
The amla plant’s fruit liquids and the oil that comes from it are naturally hydrating. It is a simple, natural way to add shine to drab, dry locks.
Users may achieve the natural sheen from amla oil after an amla oil hair mask or an overnight treatment.
As an oil, this substance makes the hair look and feel glossier than normal.
5. Reduces Dandruff
Yeast-like fungi (Malassezia) naturally live on the scalp. If this fungus grows too much, it can irritate the scalp and result in excessive skin flakes.
The natural antibacterial properties of amla oil help keep Malassezia fungus in check.
Amla oil uses antimicrobials to combat flaky, itchy, dandruff-prone scalps.
As amla oil hydrates the scalp and keeps it healthy, it helps prevent dandruff and irritation.
6. Thickens Hair
Amla oil contains phytonutrients and polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties that may help prevent issues like hair thinning.
As this oil moisturizes hair from the root to the end, it strengthens the hair shaft, causing the hair to appear thicker and fuller.
7. Protects Hair From Damage
This natural hair conditioner coats your hair shaft and follicles with protective molecules.
Amla oil protects the hair from sun or heat damage, breakage, and split ends.
The antioxidants in amla oil combat free radicals that may harm hair. These antioxidants guard against UV damage, although amla oil should not be used exclusively for UV protection.
8. Balances pH Levels of the Scalp
Healthy scalps range between pH levels of 4.5 to 5.5.
If that balance is thrown off by environmental or internal factors, your scalp and hair may experience health issues.
Amla oil keeps the scalp’s pH levels balanced, leading to healthier hair.
9. Nourishes Scalp
Vitamin C and antimicrobial properties in amla oil benefit the scalp by keeping it clean and healthy.
The hydrating aspect of amla oil helps the scalp stay nourished and avoid drying out or getting flaky.
Amla oil also has amino acids, the building blocks of protein that are crucial to scalp health.
10. Benefits All Hair Textures
No matter what your hair texture is, amla oil helps.
Afro-textured, curly, wavy, or straight hair may all benefit from alma oil’s hydrating, hair-strengthening properties.
The versatility of alma oil is part of the reason it is popular for hair health.
11. Softens Hair for Detangling
Thanks to the natural conditioning and moisturizing characteristics of this oil, it softens the hair.
For anyone with easily-tangled hair, amla oil helps the detangling process.
Amla oil works by smoothing down individual hair cuticles along hair strands, reducing the amount of tangles.
How to Use Amla Oil in Your Hair
After reading about all the benefits of alma oil, you may wonder how to start using it.
Check out these tips for applying alma oil to your hair:
Warm The Oil
Before applying amla oil directly to your scalp and hair, warm it up to a lukewarm temperature.
The warmth will help stimulate the hair follicles, making the amla oil treatment more effective.
Dampen Your Hair
Spritz some water onto dry hair or gently towel-dry wet hair until damp.
Applying amla oil on damp hair makes it easier to disperse throughout the hair and helps the oil lock into your hair strands.
Massage It Into Your Scalp
Dip your fingers into the amla oil, then gently apply the oil directly to your scalp.
Use your fingers to massage your scalp with circular motions. The massaging process promotes hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles.
At the same time, the oil can work its way into your hair.
Run It Down the Length of Your Hair
After applying the oil to your scalp, douse your fingers in a little more oil and run it over the full length of your hair.
It is critical to apply amla oil on the ends of your hair, especially if you have split ends or breakage.
Leave It in Your Hair
Let the oil sit in your hair. It is acceptable to leave it in for 15 minutes, like a quick hair mask.
Short applications should be accompanied by a quick warm blast from the blow dryer to activate the oil.
For best results, though, wrap your hair after applying the oil and leave it in overnight.
Wash And Rinse Thoroughly
Complete your amla oil treatment by shampooing the oil out of your hair and rinsing your hair well.
During the wash and rinse phase, be sure to work through the full length of your hair, including your scalp, to prevent oiliness.
Repeat Regularly
Apply amla oil to your hair up to three times a week for best results, depending on individual hair needs.
Using amla oil at least once weekly should provide noticeable hair benefits.
Side Effects of Amla Oil on Hair
Although amla oil is typically a safe treatment with no side effects, there are a few factors to consider before and during use.
These include:
- Scalp Irritation: It may cause scalp irritation for people with very sensitive skin.
- Allergic Reaction: Some people are allergic to amla oil, which may lead to an allergic reaction.
- Oily Scalp: Using excessive amounts of amla oil causes an overly-oily scalp and hair.
- Dry Scalp: In rare cases, overuse of amla oil may result in a dry scalp. This is preventable by thoroughly washing and rinsing the oil out of your hair after treatment.
- Smell: Some people do not like the smell of amla oil. Note that this is based on personal preference, and some find the smell neutral or pleasant.
- Lack Of Research: Amla oil requires more thorough research, so there may be other undocumented side effects that occur with regular use of this oil.
Conclusion
As you can see, the benefits of amla oil for hair are plentiful and will likely leave your hair healthier and stronger.
From fighting grey strands to giving hair an extra shine, amla oil seems to do it all.
With all of these benefits, adding amla oil to your weekly hair routine is worth a try! (source 1,2,3)
Related Questions
Does Amla Oil Darken Hair?
Amla oil may darken hair with regular use over time. It promotes hair pigmentation, making it appear richer and healthier. Anyone who does not wish to darken their hair should use another oil.