How To Use Red Palm Oil For Your Hair
Make your tresses shinier, softer, and thicker with the goodness of this therapeutic oil.
Martine is a certified trichologist with over 7 years of experience and a California licensed cosmetologist. She is also an established senior stylist with over 36 years of experience. Her interest in healthy hair and lifestyle led her to trichology. She has a small clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she helps people achieve healthy scalp and fuller thicker hair using a naturopathic approach in a quiet comfortable space.
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Using red palm oil for your hair has many benefits. It can be used to moisturize hair thanks to its emollient properties. It is a well-known and effective hair cleanser and leave-in conditioner. It can also reduce hair damage. In this article, we explain the many advantages of applying red palm oil to your hair, along with the different ways you can use it to stimulate hair growth. Continue reading.
Know Your Ingredient: Red Palm OilWhat Is It?
A red edible oil extracted from palm fruits containing 50% saturated fats.
What Are Its Benefits?
Improves hair texture, protects hair from sun damage, prevents oxidative stress related hair damage, and promotes hair growth.
Who Can Use It?
Suitable for normal to dry hair. May weigh down very fine and oily hair.
How Often
Daily before or after shower.
Caution
May irritate or further clog acne-prone scalp.
In This Article
What Is Red Palm Oil?
Red palm oil is a natural and edible oil also known as virgin red palm fruit oil. Red palm oil comes from the Elaeis guineensis tree that grows in parts of Africa and Asia. The source of red palm oil is the fruit of the oil palm tree, and it has gained popularity in hair care and beauty products for its wonderful benefits. This fruit has a deep red color, especially when it is unprocessed, which gives the oil its name. This red color comes from carotenes such as lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta carotene in the oil (1).
But how does this oil promote hair health? We look at the reasons in the following section.
Key Takeaways
- Red palm oil, commonly known as virgin red palm fruit oil, is natural and edible oil produced from the Elaeis guineensis tree found in Africa and Asia.
- The oil is rich in emollients and antioxidants and helps cleanse and condition your hair and may even help prevent scalp damage.
- Red palm oil can also help your hair stay strong for longer.
Benefits Of Red Palm Oil For Hair
1. Has Emollient Properties
Red palm oil has significant emollient properties. An emollient is a substance that reduces irritation on your scalp and provides lubrication to your hair. Red palm oil is also known to protect and seal in hair moisture. The emollient properties of red palm oil for hair are derived primarily from the presence of palmitic acid and myristic acid (2). These acids may protect your hair and scalp from irritation.
2. Cleanses And Conditions Your Hair
Natural oils can effectively cleanse your hair and condition it. The myristic acid in the oil works as a cleansing agent for the hair and scalp. The oil also contains stearic acid (2). This acid may effectively remove grease and grime from the hair. If your hair is dehydrated or dry, these ingredients may also double up as conditioners and protect your hair from significant damage. The oil also adds shine to your hair.
Quick Tip3. May Fight Scalp Damage
Red palm oil may fight scalp damage. The carotenes it contains may play a role here (1). Carotenes encourage the production of sebum in the scalp, which, in turn, prevents your hair from drying out. Additionally, it also may protect the scalp from exposure to UV rays. However, more research is warranted in this regard.
4. Has Antioxidant Properties
Red palm oil contains vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant. Some studies suggest that vitamin E can fightoxidative stressi Imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in the body that provide defense against them. in the scalp and promote hair health (3). Oxidative stress may accelerate hair aging too (4).
These are the few major benefits of red palm oil. But how can you use it? We discuss the same in the following section.
Quick TipUsing Red Palm Oil For Hair Growth
Red palm oil has several hair benefits and can make your hair retain its strength for extended periods. As a natural hair treatment, red palm oil, which is sourced from organic ingredients, provides deep scalp nourishment. There are several ways you can use red palm oil for hair growth.
- Before Shower
You can do a scalp massage for hair growth using red palm oil before showering. Massaging increases blood flow to the scalp and may promote hair growth. Since this is a benign natural oil, it does not cause any harm to your hair even if left for long periods. You can leave the oil on your hair overnight and take a shower in the morning. Wash the oil off your hair using a proper cleaning shampoo.
- After Shower
You can also use red palm oil for hair after a shower as a leave-in conditioner. Ensure your hair is damp when you apply the oil. The oil protects your hair and also prevents frizz. This is especially beneficial if you color your hair. The oil forms a protective layer on your hair and protects it from harmful outdoor elements.
Using red palm oil for your hair is a good idea, given its moisturizing, lubricating, cleansing, and conditioning properties. Myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid are to be credited for these properties. Moreover, this oil is a rich source of vitamin E, the antioxidant activity of which promotes hair and scalp health, alongside hair strength and resilience and hair shine. You can apply this oil either before or after a shower. While pre-shower application through scalp massage helps improve blood circulation, post-shower application conditions the hair and removes frizz. However, more research is warranted to validate these benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is red palm oil good for curly hair?
Yes, red palm oil is rich in vitamin E which protects the scalp against oxidative stress, aids in hair growth and improves hair health (3).
Is red palm oil good forlow porosity hairi A type of hair that has a thick layer of cuticle covering it proving it difficult for water to be absorbed in the hair shaft. ?
Yes, red palm oil has emollient properties that allow your hair to lock and seal the moisture in. This makes it ideal for people with low porosity hair.
Does red palm oil have vitamin A?
Yes, red palm oil contains carotenoids that are a derivative of vitamin A (1).
Does red palm oil need to be refrigerated?
No, red palm oil should be stored in a dark and cool place at room temperature.
Does red palm oil have omega 3?
Yes, red palm oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatsi Healthy fats, such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that help improve hair density by aiding blood circulation in the scalp. . Omega 3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat which is essential and beneficial for the body (5).
Illustration: Red Palm Oil For Hair – Benefits And Usage
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
The benefits of palm oil for the skin and hair are plenty. The video below can educate you on these benefits and how to use the oil for hair loss, burns, and other issues. Check it out!
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Vitamin A and carotene.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1254289/ - Characteristics of fatty acid composition and minor constituents of red palm olein and palm kernel oil combination.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7832187/ - Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/ - Oxidative Stress in Ageing of Hair.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929555/ - RED PALM OIL – HEALTH BENEFITS AND THEIR MOLECULAR EXECUTORS
https://www.ijbio.com/articles/red-palm-oil–health-benefits-and-their-molecular-executors.pdf
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