Merdeka.com – For some people, the name argan oil may sound familiar. This oil is not as famous as olive oil or hazelnut oil in the community. However, the benefits of argan oil are worth considering, especially for hair health.
Argan oil comes from the seeds of the argan tree. This tree can be found in Morocco. By local residents, argan oil is often used as a hair treatment. The high content of antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamin E makes this oil a great ingredient for moisturizing skin and protecting it from the sun.
As for hair, argan oil provides a rich content of fatty acids and powerful antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which have been shown to benefit the scalp and hair. You can use this oil as a hair mask or shampoo.
Here are some of the benefits of argan oil for hair and how to use it, quoted from the Healthline website:
Moisturizes Hair
The first benefit of argan oil for hair is to moisturize the hair. Argan oil is widely used as a moisturizer for skin and hair because it contains fatty acids, especially oleic acid and linoleic acid. This oil has been shown to lubricate the hair shaft and help keep hair moisturized.
Argan oil is also rich in vitamin E, which provides a layer of fat on your hair and scalp so that it can help prevent dry scalp as well as help reduce dizziness and increase shine.
Promotes Scalp Health
The second benefit of argan oil for hair is to improve scalp health. Argan oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which are good for the skin. This oil can help prevent or improve skin conditions, including those that can affect the scalp and cause hair loss, such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
Preventing Damage Due to Treatment and Coloring
The third benefit of argan oil for hair is that it can prevent damage caused by hair care or coloring. The fatty acids in argan oil have a protective effect that can help prevent damage from hair treatments like washing and styling.
Research shows that other oils rich in linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid add a protective layer to hair protecting it from damage during heat styling. This oil has also been shown to reduce the formation of split ends, resulting in thicker, healthier-looking hair.
A 2013 study also found that argan oil can reduce damage caused by hair dyes when applied to hair after coloring.
Sun Protection
The fourth benefit of argan oil for hair is that it can protect hair from sun exposure. Argan oil has been used by Moroccan women for centuries to protect the skin from sun damage.
A 2013 study also found that the antioxidant activity in argan oil protects the skin from free radical damage from the sun. This benefit can also be applied to hair, helping to prevent dryness and other damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
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Overcoming Hair Loss
The last benefit of argan oil for hair is to treat hair loss. Although there are no studies explaining the properties of argan oil for hair loss, its benefits for hair and scalp health have been shown to prevent hair breakage and hair loss.
Vitamin E, which is found in abundance in argan oil, was shown to promote hair growth in a small 2010 study.
The powerful antioxidants and nutritious fatty acids in argan oil also help keep hair moisturized and protect against hair care damage and damage caused by free radicals.
How to Use Argan Oil
Hair mask
You can make a hair mask from argan oil. Using pure argan oil will produce the best results because you can use it alone or combine it with other nutritious ingredients, such as coconut oil or castor oil.
How:
- Using your hands, massage 8 to 10 drops of argan oil into your hair and scalp. Adjust the amount as needed based on the length of your hair.
- Continue massaging your hair and scalp for 10 minutes, making sure your hair is covered from root to tip.
- Wrap your hair in a towel or wrap it and leave it on overnight.
- Wash your hair in the morning and style as usual.
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Shampoo
You can also buy argan oil shampoo, or make your own at home.
- Pour a moderate amount of shampoo into the palms of your hands.
- Add a drop or two of argan oil to shampoo and rub your hands together until they are combined.
- Apply it to your hair and wash and rinse as usual.
- Repeat every two or three days.
Leave-in conditioner
You can skip the regular conditioner and use argan oil as a natural conditioner to reduce damage from combing and styling.
- Wash your hair thoroughly according to the directions on the shampoo bottle.
- Towel dry your hair so it doesn’t drip.
- Rub two or three drops of argan oil on your hands and apply it to your hair.
- Dry and style your hair as usual.
- Do this once or twice a week.
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