Is neem oil good for hair growth? Can you apply it directly to your hair? Are there side effects?
If you’ve been curious about neem oil and how it works for hair health, I’m here to help you out!
As someone who’s been struggling with hair thinning, I’m always on the hunt for products and ingredients that can turn my situation around and give back the strong, thick mane I used to have. And that’s when I discovered neem oil.
What is neem oil?
Neem oil comes from the neem tree that’s native to India. The tree is highly regarded in Ayurveda and Unami, systems of medicine in India, and is often referred to as ‘the cure of all ailments‘.
While it originates from India, neem oil has crossed through many other countries in the globe, including the Philippines. It’s also slowly gaining popularity thanks to its skin-caring and hair-strengthening benefits. But what does it actually do?
Benefits of neem oil for hair
Neem oil possesses lots of properties that help the hair — from keeping dandruff at bay to supporting hair growth.
This oil is packed with anti-inflammatory properties that address dandruff, itchiness and inflammation. Apart from that, it’s also filled with antioxidants that’s great for countering damage caused by the sun and aging.
On top of that, it has nourishing vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, calcium and triglycerides that help ensure that your scalp and hair are healthy.
It’s also rich in fatty acids, which makes it great for preventing hair loss. Fatty acids lock in moisture to ensure that your hair is strong and isn’t prone to breakage.
It’s great as a frizz tamer too thanks to its moisturizing properties.
How To Use Neem Oil
Ready to use neem oil for your hair? There are a a couple of ways to incorporate it into your routine.
You can apply it directly to your hair and scalp. But make sure that you dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil because it’s pretty potent and applying it purely may cause unwanted reactions. Massage the oil to your scalp and leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off and going about your current haircare routine.
If you don’t like the idea of oil in your hair (I get it — we’re in a humid country after all!), you can opt to add the oil to your shampoo instead. Just add a couple of drops to your favorite shampoo — remember not to overdo it — and lather it on your hair from roots to tips for maximum effect.
Where to buy in the Philippines
While the neem oil available in the Philippines is used mostly for plants, there are neem-infused products for hair that you can try.
P.S. If you’re keen on buying the product/s on this article, you can get cashback when you use Shopback. Get P100 when you sign up using my link! Learn more about Shopback here.
