Whole Leaf Aloe Vera: Nature's Secret to Beautiful Hair
Aloe vera is a well-known moisturizer and is often used as a primary component for soothing lotions and burn ointments. However, aloe vera is also a wonderful product that can promote healthy, beautiful hair. Whether using a manufactured product that includes aloe vera, or simply utilizing the juice that is derived from the plant, aloe vera has a number of health benefits for hair.
Hair Growth
Regular use of aloe vera can often have an impact on a person's ability to grow hair. While it is not a cure for baldness, the enzymes in aloe vera extract can often serve to unclog dead skin cells from hair follicles. When these are clear, the hair more easily absorbs nutrients from products applied to the scalp. The net result is enhanced hair growth. Also, conditions like seborrhea can be reversed by the chemical properties of aloe vera juice. Lastly, the pH of the scalp can often be brought into a more conducive range for hair growth by the alkalinity of aloe vera.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
In the pursuit of beauty and a dynamic hair style, many people apply harsh products and coloring to their hair. These products can have a damaging effect on a person's scalp, creating sore, irritated regions. Along with being unsightly, these irritated areas are often uncomfortable. Much like its use in burn ointments, aloe vera can soothe these irritated areas of the scalp. There are a number of chemical properties that cause this effect, but one important agent is salicylic acid. This is often an agent in acne medication, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Conditioning
There is a substance in aloe leaves which strongly resembles keratin. This is the naturally occurring protein found in hair cells. Since the compound found in aloe resembles the natural structure of the hair, it tends to be easily absorbed. The strand of hair, then, is able to easily claim the benefits of the conditioning agent. Many conditioners utilize this effect by using aloe vera in their formula. Since aloe vera has 20 amino acids inherent in its composition, the hair is able to absorb the fundamental building blocks it needs to repair and strengthen itself. As a result of this, the benefits of aloe vera as a conditioner are significant.
Benefits
Aloe vera by itself is a wonderful product to use as both an as-needed soothing agent and as a primary conditioner. It is also beneficial to use conditioners that include aloe vera in their formula for added effect. Since there are so many benefits to the substance when considering hair care, aloe vera is an important part of any modern hair care approach.