If you have been on the hunt for a natural, healthy hair product, you may be curious about the benefits of rose water for hair.
Keep reading to discover the power of this pleasantly fragrant substance.
Rose water provides your hair with numerous benefits, like a healthier scalp, hydrated hair, and more hair growth. The vitamins, minerals, and moisture content in rose water help boost the overall health of the scalp and hair. It can be used in hair routines in various ways according to the user’s hair goals.
This natural hair product might seem too good to be true but read on for a closer look at why rose water works so well on hair.
Besides learning about rose water’s many benefits, you’ll learn how to use rose water and what potential side effects may occur.
The Benefits of Rose Water for Hair
Understanding the benefits of rose water for hair starts with a firm grasp of what rose water is.
This aromatic substance comes from Rosa Damascena, known commonly as a pink rose.
Roses have a sweet, pleasant fragrance that lingers when rose petals are used for rose water.
There are numerous uses for rose water dating back to ancient times in the Middle East.
In the modern day, rose water is a popular ingredient in health and beauty products in Western regions thanks to its many benefits.
Below are the main benefits of rose water:
1. Rejuvenates Scalp
Rose water scalp benefits include reduced inflammation and relief from itchiness or irritation.
The scalp will feel soothed and refreshed after you use rose water.
It helps combat conditions like scalp psoriasis that cause irritation and redness on the scalp.
People use rose water for scalp psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and any other condition that leads to itchy, dry, irritated skin.
2. Increases Hair Volume
Dull, flat hair may benefit from a few washes with aspirin. This drug clarifies hair shafts and leads to lighter, more voluminous hair. Aspirin strips away built-up oils and dirt, making way for airy and bouncy hair.
2. Moisturizes Hair
Part of the nature of rose water is its natural hydration capability.
Rose water helps dry or brittle hair by restoring some of its moisture. It adds hydration back into the hair cuticles, which is especially helpful for anyone with over-processed locks.
Moisturizing hair is just one of the many rose water benefits for hair.
3. Prevent Oiliness and Dandruff
Astringents are substances that cause body tissues to tighten, and rose water has natural astringent properties.
What does this mean for your hair?
Thanks to rose water’s astringency, it balances your scalp’s oil production and prevents hair follicles from clogging.
Reducing oiliness on your scalp helps prevent conditions like dandruff, keeping your hair free of oil and dandruff.
4. Reduces Hair Loss
Anyone struggling with hair loss would do well to consider adding rose water to their hair care routine.
Rose water helps hair roots and follicles grow stronger, which may lead to slower hair loss rates.
The vitamin A, B3, C, and E content in rose water lead to numerous rose water benefits for hair loss.
The fragrant elixir nourishes the scalp, which helps promote hair retention. It also stimulates hair follicles, further reducing hair loss.
5. Helps With Hair Growth
Besides preventing and slowing hair loss, does rose water help hair growth? Yes, it does.
By boosting blood circulation around hair roots, rose water actually stimulates more hair growth.
Since the hair follicles are more nourished, healthier hair starts growing.
6. Promotes Shine and Softness
Other rose water benefits for hair include more shine and softer, more healthy-looking locks.
The hydration and vitamin content in rose water will leave dull hair looking fresh and glossy.
It will be softer with less frizz after a dose of rose water.
7. Naturally Fragrant
Adding fragrance to the hair is not exactly a practical or health-oriented benefit, but it deserves a mention!
Rose water has an alluring, sweet fragrance that rivals bottled perfumes.
The ability to add this pleasant fragrance to your hair, on top of the haircare benefits, is appealing.
Rather than spray alcohol-based perfumes on your hair, why not use naturally-scented products like rose water?
The smell is subtle and refreshing, and some prefer it over other scented haircare products.
8. Adds Volume
Using rose water helps the hair become more voluminous and luscious.
The hydration factor gives it more bounce and elasticity, preventing flatness.
Since rose water helps the hair stay strong and healthy, the full length of your hair is more likely to look thicker.
Plus, rose water’s help with hair growth will cause the hair to look more voluminous over time.
9. Improves Hair Health In The Long Run
When rose water is used regularly, the hair benefits compound over time.
Although there are short-term benefits, like additional shine and hydration, the long-term benefits are even more appealing.
With regular use, the hair follicles grow stronger and become healthier.
When the scalp stays clean day in and day out, the hair is less likely to suffer semi-permanent damage from hair diseases.
Over time, the hair becomes longer without suffering from the usual breakage or damage that it would without rose water.
Less scalp irritation and sleeker hair mean less itching and abrasion from repeatedly brushing the hair, leading to longer, healthier hair in the long run.
How to Use Rose Water on Hair
There are various ways to use rose water in your hair care routine.
- Rinse your hair with rose water immediately after washing it with shampoo to achieve additional softness and shine.
- A few times a week, apply rose water straight onto the scalp to relieve irritation or itchiness.
- Anyone wondering how to use rose water for hair growth can stimulate hair growth by massaging rose water into the scalp.
- Add rose water to your favorite hair mask to give it additional hair health benefits.
- If you’re not sure how often to use rose water on hair, start by using it once a week and increase it to three times per week for healthier, shinier hair.
- Make your own rose water, add it to a spray bottle, and mist your hair with it as needed if your hair appears dull throughout the day or you want a fragrance boost.
How Long Can You Leave Rose Water in Your Hair?
A completely natural, nourishing, hydrating substance like rose water can stay on your hair for several hours or even overnight to allow it to completely soak into your hair.
It is non-toxic and generally safe to leave in your hair for extended periods.
As a hair mask, rose water can be left in the hair for around 30 minutes to two hours.
Determine how much time you want to leave it in based on your lifestyle and hair requirements.
If you rinse your hair with rose water after your shampoo and conditioner routine, there is no need to rinse your hair with water after.
Leaving rose water in your hair for hours at a time allows it to deeply penetrate the hair strands. It provides ample hydration and nutrition to your hair without causing adverse effects.
If you decide to leave rose water in your hair throughout the day or night, there is no need to worry about unwanted textures or residues.
Rose water is a rather light substance, unlike heavy hair oils or thick leave-in conditioners, so it will not weigh your hair down.
Note that if you leave rose water in your hair overnight, it is best to wrap your hair in a satin or silk hair wrap to protect your bedding (and your hair).
Side Effects of Rose Water on Hair
Rose water is generally a safe, nontoxic substance with no side effects, but there are a few things to consider before using it.
These are the main side effects of rose water if you put it on your hair:
- Mild Irritation: Individuals with extra-sensitive scalps may experience mild irritation. It is best to perform a patch test on a small portion of the scalp before fully treating the scalp with rose water.
- Allergic Reactions: People who are allergic to roses may experience allergic reactions if they use rose water or beauty products that include rose water as an active ingredient.
- Overuse: Excessive use of rose water may result in scalp and hair dryness. Those with naturally dry hair are more at risk of experiencing this side effect.
- Minor Side Effects: There may be unreported minor side effects of using rose water for hair, so it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional or trichologist for specific hair and scalp concerns.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about the benefits of rose water for hair, you may be tempted to try it.
Whether the goal is to add a bit of shine to your hair, keep the scalp well-nourished, or stimulate hair growth, rose water will do the trick.
Keep a spray bottle handy and enjoy the rosy fragrance as you reap the rewards of rose water for your hair! (source 1,2,3).