Can Sweet Almond Oil Be Used on Hair?

There are lots of hair oils, and many of these oils can be used for skin care, as well as many other things. Sweet almond oil is one of these versatile oils. It is a light oil that is great for using on your hair and scalp. Most of us want healthy, beautiful hair, and almond oil is one way to help. Hair oil is good for moisturizing, conditioning, and giving hair luster.

Moisturizes Scalp

Sweet almond oil is full of vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which make it good for conditioning. It reduces itchiness and inflammation on the scalp.

To use sweet almond oil — you can use it as a hot oil treatment. Apply it and cover with a shower cap. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then shampoo. You can also put it on before bed, and washing in the morning. A few drops of almond oil can also be added to your regular conditioner to give it a boost.

Tame Frizzies

Another of sweet almond oil uses is, to make hair smooth and shiny, by reducing fizziness and sealing the cuticle. If you are between trims and have spilt ends, rubbing a drop or two on the hair ends can give you a temporary fix.

 When using it, keep in mind that a little can go a long way. Start with only a couple of drops, so you do not end up with a greasy mess.

Hair Growth

Many people use sweet almond oil to prevent hair loss or to help stimulate hair growth. Almond oil is full of nutrients that contribute to healthy hair. It may also be less due to the almond oil and more due to the stimulation of hair follicles by massaging. Regular massage helps the scalp have better circulation, which is good for hair growth.

Use as a Carrier Oil

Many essential oils, like rosemary, have wonderful benefits and healing properties. However, they shouldn’t be used alone in full concentration. Sweet alone oil is a good base or carrier oil for combining with other oils.

How to Reduce Hair Breakage

Strong, healthy is hair is attractive, and many of us like long, silky hair. A major frustration of wearing longer hairstyles is hair breakage. No one wants damaged hair that breaks. If you can’t seem to keep long hair healthy looking and free of breakage, don’t worry because you’re not necessarily destined to wear shorter hairstyles. There are some things that you can do to prevent your hair from breaking.

Treat it Carefully

You must treat your hair carefully to help prevent breakage —always be gentle. Don’t brush it when it is wet —opt instead for a wide tooth comb. Let it air dry, whenever possible. If you do use a hair dryer, use a low setting. When using heated styling tools use a thermal protectant to keep heat damage minimal. Avoid tight hairstyles that put physical stress on your hair. To give hair less friction while you sleep, use a silk pillowcase.

One of the things that I must watch out for is my shoulder bag. So often I’ll just fling my bag over my shoulder. The problem is that when my hair is longer, it easily gets trapped under the strap and tangled. Things that seem simple may need a little more attention, if long hair could get in the way.

Unless you really need to, don’t wash your hair every day. If your hair is dry use a moisturizing shampoo that will help keep hair hydrated.    Look for ingredients that moisturize and soften hair, like fatty alcohols, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. Also look for products that are fortified with protein that will help strengthen hair. Stay away from chemical processes, like perming and straightening, because they can make your hair dry and brittle, allowing it to break easily.

Treatments

Aside from physically preventing your hair from breaking, it’s important to have hair that is strong and doesn’t break easily. Use conditioner after each washing. It will keep hair hydrated and allow combing to be easier, with less chance of tangling. Keep hair moisturized and conditioned with weekly deep-conditioning treatments. Look for treatments that have protein or keratin added to strengthen hair. One of my favorites is Giovanni Smooth as Silk Xtreme Protein Hair Infusion. It is contains shea butter, soy protein, and macadamia nut oil. It rejuvenates damaged and over processed hair, leaving it moisturized, smooth, and soft. Use it after shampooing, leaving it on the hair for about 10 minutes, then rinse.

Hot-oil treatments with olive, coconut, or castor oil are also great for keeping hair conditioned and nourished.

Regular Trims

Get regular trims to your hair to get split ends cut off. This will not only remove the damaged, brittle ends, but keep hair healthy and tidy looking.  Keeping the ends of your healthy will reduce the amount of hair breakage.

updated 3/26/14