Joel Santorini
With a history that stems back to Ancient Morocco, Argan Oil is by no means a new resolution for treating hair loss naturally. In fact, it wasn’t just the ancient Moroccans who recognized its healing benefits. For generations, people worldwide have been latching onto this natural hair loss remedy, experiencing the benefits that come without many of the side-effects we may suffer from the pharmaceutical industry’s answers to reducing hair loss.
As the name suggests, this oil stems from a tree that we’ll typically find in Morocco. In addition to using it for cosmetic purposes, Moroccans absorb its healing benefits through cooking with it, or by using it as a simple dip. If you’re intrigued by this oily wonder, let’s explore the world of Argan oil for hair loss and how it could benefit you.
Benefits of Argan oil for hair loss
Rubbing oil onto your head to slow down hair loss seems crazy, right? Well, science is here to prove us all wrong.
As a substance that’s rich in natural phenols, Argan oil is on our sides when it comes to reducing hair loss. What are phenols, exactly? Think of them as hormones that stimulate your hair’s follicles and keep them happy, promoting healthy hair growth in the process.
Can Argan oil slow down our hair loss and why?
The short answer is: yes, Argan oil can slow down hair loss. As a substance that contains Vitamin E and properties that promote high-density lipoproteins, aka good cholesterol, it stimulates blood flow to your head.
The most common reason for male-pattern baldness is an increase in testosterone. While testosterone places lots of hair on a man’s chest, it’ll also remove it from its head. This is, in part, to do with the way in which it lowers HDL cholesterol levels. So, when we start incorporating HDL cholesterol into our hair loss prevention regimes, we’re combatting some of the side-effects of increasing testosterone levels, giving us the opportunity to slow the process down.
Can Argan oil make your hair regrow?
Whether or not Argan oil will make your hair regrow probably depends on why you lost it in the first place. For example, we’ve already explored how it contains lots of Vitamin E. Vitamin E strengthens the stability of all cells, including hair follicles. If your hair follicles experience instability due to factors such as dermatitis, applying the oil directly to your scalp could work wonders.
At the same time, sometimes the way your body is behaving on the inside could cause hair loss. For example, if you have liver disease. As Argan oil plays a role in protecting the liver, adding it to your diet could lead to a healthier head of hair.
Is it a safe way of treating hair loss?
Okay, so you’ve decided to use Argan oil to either slow down your hair loss or encourage it to regrow. Now, you want to know if it’s safe. Like any medical decision you make, this is a natural response to maintaining your safety, which is why we’re happy to explain just how safe it is.
Argan oil is safe for most people to use. However, in the interest of exercising caution, you might want to try a skin patch test first. Doing this involves applying a small amount to your skin, rubbing it in, and then leaving it for a day to see if it causes a reaction.
If it doesn’t, great, carry on trying to incorporate it into your new regime. However, in a minimal number of people, allergies arise later. Why does this happen? Because your body can only develop an allergic response after encountering a product it doesn’t like. As already mentioned, this is rare when it comes to Argan oil, but keep an eye out for potential allergic reactions anyway.
Creating your own DIY Argan oil hair loss mask and applying it
Now that you’re sold on the idea of trying to cure your hair loss the natural way, it’s time to make your own DIY Argan oil hair mask. Don’t worry, the ingredients will remain natural, and it’ll take minimal effort.
To make your DIY Argan oil hair mask, you’ll need:
- Two tablespoons of Argan oil
- One tablespoon of a carrier oil, such as olive or macadamia
- One tablespoon of organic honey, if you’re feeling extra fancy, try Manuka
- A couple of drops of the essential oil of your choice.
If you’re aiming for a relaxing experience, try lavender oil. Otherwise, eucalyptus is excellent if you’re keen to wake yourself up a little.
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl thoroughly until they blend. Then, apply the mask to your head. The best time to do this is just after showering, as this is the point when your skin is at its most porous and is, therefore, more likely to absorb the mask’s nutrients.
Spread the hair mask over your head liberally and evenly. Then, using firm and circular movements, massage it into your head. Doing this encourages more blood flow to stimulate, giving you a better chance of making your body work in synergy with the oil.
Leave the mask to soak in for five minutes, and then rinse thoroughly using tepid water. Continue with the process once a week, and you’ll soon see the difference in your hair’s growth and strength.
Should you expect any side-effects when you use Argan oil for hair growth?
Like any product we use for medicinal purposes, Argan oil comes with side effects. Fortunately, the majority of them are pretty rare, especially when you’re using it as a topical agent rather than ingesting it. Such side-effects may include:
- A loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Taste problems
- Rashes
- Sensitive skin
It’s easy to see which ones relate to ingesting the product, and which relate to applying it to your head. For example, if you use Argon oil as a nutritional supplement and subsequently experience a loss of appetite or bloating, you may want to consider using it alongside other foods to see if it’s the oil that’s the problem. Similarly, switch your carrier oil if you believe it’s a skin-related issue. Otherwise, if the side-effects continue, consider stopping the oil’s use.
While the medical community is only just catching on to the marvels of Argan oil, now you can go forth with your enlightened approach and enjoy the hair rejuvenating benefits. Feel free to take a creative angle with the essential oils you apply to your mask, and consider keeping a diary of your progress.
