Is Olive Oil Good For Your Hair? 10 Benefits + How To Use?

Olive oil makes the hair strong because it carries essential nourishment like vitamins A and E that repair the damaged follicles and promote new growth. Its antioxidants help counter oxidation, which avoids dryness and breakage of the hair. 

It also has anti-inflammatory properties, so the scalp becomes calm and helps in the growth of thick and robust hair. Massaging hair regularly with olive oil results in stronger and shinier hair.

The elasticity of hair is enhanced when olive oil deeply hydrates and nourishes hair strands, which in turn helps to improve hair flexibility and strength. Fatty acids in olive oil are absorbed deep into the shaft of the hair to reestablish the moisture balance.

When hair is hydrated, it can either stretch or flex without breaking. You will feel a more elastic and healthy texture of the hair that will be resistant to styling when you massage it regularly with olive oil.

Olive oil can relieve dandruff by deep hydration and soothing the scalp, hence alleviating dryness and flakiness. This tropical oil provides hydration to the scalp and maintains its natural balance of oils, preventing flakes from being produced excessively.

So, massage a small amount of olive oil into the skull to help remove dead skin and prevent new formation of dandruff. This will lead to a healthier and more balanced scalp with less dandruff and improve the overall health of the hair.

The olive oil creates a barrier on every single strand of hair and protects it from heat which is formed with the use of curling irons, blow dryers, and straighteners during styling.

Massage some olive oil into your hair before using any heat-styling products which will help seal in the moisture and keep the cuticle nice and smooth. Consequently, this would reduce breakage and split ends. This shield not only secures the integrity of your hair but also its looks and shine.

If you directly apply olive oil to the scalp, it improves not only the general health but also acts to promote the growth of hair. This oil has vitamins K and E due to which the hair follicles get restored and conditioned.

This also promotes blood flow and helps stimulate the scalp, ensuring that hair follicles get enough oxygen and proper nutrition which is useful for healthy hair growth. In this way, olive oil benefits the hair growth.

Olive oil is best in the reduction of split ends and further damage. Split ends result from an injury in the outer layer of the cuticle that causes the hair to split into two or more strands. Apply a small amount of olive oil to the tips of your hair which will reduce the appearance of split ends and stop them from splitting anymore.

It will help to keep your locks strong and healthy by not allowing split ends to arise. 

The moisturizing ability of olive oil is the reason for smoothening the cuticle of the hair which allows the reflection of the hair to shine with light.

Olive oil is going to leave your hair more manageable and give it an overall finer texture. This might make the hair feel softer and smoother, so it could be easy to style and manage. If you massage olive oil daily, your hair will give off a natural shine, look nice, and be healthy.

Another positive benefit associated with the use of olive oil is it softens the hair. Hair becomes softer, more flexible, and further conditioned with the natural soothing that olive oil contains. Hair can even stay smooth after being heat-treated or in inclement weather if you use olive oil regularly.

Use olive oil as a treatment to create soft, lovely tresses that feel great and look amazing.

Olive oil balances the hair's pH level. Many problems with hair, including dandruff and dry scalp, that may lead to falling hair can result due to an out-of-balance pH of the scalp. Natural acids found in olive oil help in maintaining this. Thus, keeping it healthy and free of many common problems of hair.

It will ensure that it retains the environment for hair to keep on growing. You can control this by using olive oil on a daily basis.

Another benefit of olive oil applied to the hair is that it enhances color by keeping your hair deep and nourished. It provides deep hydration to the hair. Adding some olive oil to your hair care will help in attaining a vibrant, healthy hair color that will last longer. 

Likewise, it protects from fading or getting damaged due to harsh atmospheric conditions and heat from the styling tools. Applying this oil reflects proper light and gives a shiny and vibrant look.

• Scalp Massage Oil

Prepare warm olive oil and apply it to the scalp. Then massage your scalp with your fingers or with a scalp massager for five to ten minutes. This will reduce dandruff and increase blood flow in the head by developing healthy hair.

An hour later, wash it off and enjoy your charming hair.

• Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Massage a generous amount of olive oil into your scalp and along the hair strands, more if it is drier. Let it be for half an hour to soak well in your hair and protect your hair from harsh shampoo ingredients. Then, wash and condition as usual.

• Overnight Hair Mask

Massage some olive oil into your hair at night because that will provide it with deep nourishment. Use a towel or shower cap and leave it overnight. You will have to shampoo it and rinse it for soft, nourished hair in the morning.

• Frizz Control Solution

To reduce frizz, use olive oil sparingly as a natural serum. Apply a few drops and run them through your hair by using your hands. This technique adds luster and manages frizz without weighing down your hair.

• Split End Treatment

Massage some olive oil into the ends of your hair to avoid split ends and repair them. Leave it for at least half an hour before you rinse your hair. Practicing this daily can help maintain the health of your ends and lessen the need for repeated trims.

• Deep Conditioning Treatment

Wash your hair, mix some olive oil into your favorite conditioner, and apply. After that, use a shower cap, then leave it for 10-20 minutes to get the oil into your hair. Then, simply rinse which will result in silky and conditioned hair.

• Styling Aid

You can simply use olive oil as a styling product., A few drops can make a world of difference in how it looks and feels on your hair: Just pour in a teensy bit of olive oil and rub it in your palms, then gently smooth over the frizzy areas.

• Baby Hair Moisturizer

Olive oil may be used to soften sensitive baby hair. This way, the child's hair can easily be moisturized softly with care, since baby hair will often become very dry and tangled This oil is very natural and safe in treating this condition.

• Beard Oil

Normally, beards dry out and turn brittle over time and olive oil helps by providing the needed hydration to the beard itself and the skin underneath. To use olive oil as beard oil, simply warm some drops between your palms by rubbing them together.

Now, massage evenly into your beard and down to the skin area.

When choosing olive oil, understanding the differences between the following can assist you in selecting the best product for your needs.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is known for its finest quality. It is an extract from the first cold press of olives. Because it is extracted without heat or chemicals, it contains the maximum amount of natural flavors, nutrients, and antioxidants. 

This oil has a full-bodied taste and strong flavor, hence suitable for both cooking purposes and hair care. It has an extremely low level of acidity, usually less than 0.8 percent, holding it to a pure rating of high quality.

It also contains vitamin E and polyphenols, which reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In this regard, it helps maintain good skin and hair conditions. Therefore, EVOO will be an excellent addition to personal care routines.

• Virgin Olive Oil

Virgin oil is much more affordable and of good quality, similar to extra virgin oil. It is extracted from the second pressings of olives that have already been used to produce extra virgin oil. This type of olive oil is also extracted using a cold-pressing process.

This oil contains most of the extra virgin olive oil ingredients, which are full of monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients. Therefore, it doesn't hold heat or chemicals and maintains most of its natural flavor and nutritional characteristics.

It is also proven to improve heart-healthy and cholesterol-lowering. 

Ultimately, the choice is yours!

The ultimate decision between virgin and extra virgin olive oils lies in their applications and quality. Extra virgin olive oil is extracted from the first cold press of olives and is not followed by any chemical or high-temperature processes.

Similarly, virgin oil may have slightly less flavor than extra virgin and may be made from the second press of olives. Thus, your choice will be based on the intended application of the oil, besides taste and quality preference, though both varieties are considered healthy.

There are several methods for extracting olive oil depending on the process of making it. Here are the most common extracting methods including cold pressing, centrifugation, and heat extraction methods.

Cold Pressing

• This is the process in which olives are crushed and oil is pressed without heating. Powered olives are squeezed into a paste to extract oil.

• Best high-quality extra virgin olive oil comes out as all flavors along with minerals and antioxidants found in the oil are preserved.

• Less efficient compared with more recent techniques, only a small amount of oil may be produced.

Centrifugation

• Centrifugation is a process by which oil extraction from the olive paste takes place via a centrifuge. As this paste is whirled around at high speed, the heavy solid particles would begin separating from the light oil.

• This process ensures complete extraction of oil with quality and also it is quick and clean. Preservation of minerals and flavor of oil can be done by processing huge quantities of olives with little heat.

 • Very tight control is required during operation for the best quality oil which is an expensive process.

Heat Extraction

• Olive paste is heated during the extraction process to facilitate increased oil release. Oil is extracted by heating up the paste, and mechanical pressings or spinning.

• It works under very high production volumes which leads to an increase in the yield of oil.

• Part of the quality flavor and even nutritional value of the oil will degrade with heat treatment. Normally, this method is not performed for high-quality oil production.

While olive oil can be home-produced, extraction of fine-quality oils requires specific steps and equipment. Here is a very basic guide on how to produce olive oil at home:

Gather and clean the olives

First of all, collect fresh olives from the tree or supermarket and wash them properly by removing the dirt and leaves. If the quality of the olive is not good, then you should not expect better quality olive oil from it.

Crush the olives

Crush olives into a paste. This can be done in a food processor, olive mill, or mortar and pestle. Make sure to check the paste for a better outcome.

Extract the Oil

Extract the oil by simply putting the paste in a press bag or cloth and squeezing out some of the liquid by manual or hydraulic press. This is an ancient and most common process for extraction.

Separate the Oil

Transfer the extracted oil to a container so the remaining particles and water settle away from it. The resultant oil may now be filtered or decanted to remove impurities from it. If you want a clear and quality oil then proper separation is needed. This removes the remaining particles from the oil.

Store the Olive Oil

After that, pour the filtrate olive oil into a container or bottle that is perfectly clean. Tight the container, and store it in a cool, dark place to retain freshness and overall quality. Never store the oil in direct sunlight because it may affect the quality of the oil.

Use and Enjoy

Finally, you may enjoy the freshly made olive oil. It can be utilized for cooking, hair treatment, and skincare products as well.

Dark Glass Bottles

Another beneficial storage technique is the use of dark glass bottles. The oil inside will darken from light that may otherwise cause deterioration in its quality. The dark glass acts as protection from UV rays, hence it retains the taste and nutrients in the oil.

This will also prove very useful in giving protection and long life to fresh olive oil when combined with a cool and dark place for storing it.

Use Airtight Containers

Keep the oil tightly closed in containers to help reduce oxidation, which affects the spoilage of the oil. When oxygen reacts with this oil, it will break down and cause it to go rancid.

By tightening the bottles or jars containing your oil, you can reduce the rate at which it spoils by reducing its contact with air. Cleaning and drying of the containers is also a crucial step to store it.

Store in Cool and Dark Place

Both heat and light will progressively degrade the quality of olive oil. So it's best to keep away from it. Store your oil in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cupboard. You will find that the oil remains stable in taste and nutritional value if you store the container away from direct sunlight in a controlled temperature area.

Refrigeration

Although refrigerated olive oil will become solid and cloudy, this is a good method to extend its life. Through this process, oxidation will be reduced and it will help the oil to stay fresh for a longer period. The oil will return to its liquid state when it reaches room temperature.

If you have extracted much homemade olive oil that you will not be using immediately, refrigeration can be very useful.

Label and Date

Date the containers so that users can be directed to consume them before the best-by date elapses. You will be able to rotate the stock so that the older batches get priority in use. Make sure that you can always use fresh products by dating and marking your olive oil containers for easier and better tracking of your inventory and help you cut down on unnecessary waste.