can cooking oils make hair fabulous? but of course!

So far, a lot of attention has been given to essential oils. But did you know that that fixed/carrier oils (many of them are derived from seeds) are equally important too?

True, there may not be as many types of them when compared to essential oils but these vegetable-based oils (mainly seeds) are so jammed packed with essential fatty acids like omega-3, omega-6 & omega-9, vitamins, vegetable proteins, minerals and antioxidants (don’t you just love that word?) that they simply cannot be overlooked.

Let’s take a closer look at some of them and understand why they are so important for maintaining strong, healthy and fabulously silky-smooth hair.

1. Sweet Almond Kernel Oil

Rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E, Sweet Almond kernel, prunus amygdalus dulcis, oil helps condition, nourish, and soften hair. It promotes strong, healthy growth and takes care of those unwanted split ends and dandruff. Regular use of Sweet Almond oil on hair and scalp restores healthy lustre and promotes hair growth and is, therefore, a wonderful and inexpensive way to treat hair loss.

2. Amla Fruit Oil

Also known an Indian gooseberry, Amla fruit, phyllanthus emblica, oil has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat all kinds of hair problems for centuries. Rich in iron, beta-carotene, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B, C, polyphenols, flavonoids, protein and essential fatty acids, amla oil not only smooths and strengthens hair follicles but also helps to treat alopecia, dandruff and even scalp psoriasis. It’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are perfect for inflamed scalp conditions and slows greying hair. Amla oil promotes luster and shine so it’s the perfect solution for dull, lifeless hair. Due to its natural musky aroma, use Amla oil only at night before bedtime or when you aren’t planning on heading out immediately.

3. Argan Kernel Oil

Not only does Argan kernel, argania spinosa, oil work famously for the skin, it also promotes soft, silky hair with a lustrous, beautiful shine. It penetrates deep into the scalp to moisturize and replenish nutrients to hair roots, prevents breakage of hair follicles by keeping them strong and nourished, promotes hair growth and, thus, is a great choice for the treatment of alopecia. Argan oil is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, natural squalene and phytosterols.

4. Avocado Kernel Oil

If you are suffering from dry, dehydrated and sun damaged hair, try Avocado kernel, persea gratissima, oil. Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, E, lecithin, pantothenic acid, omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, Avocado oil is the choice for dry, damaged, brittle hair. It penetrates deep into the scalp to nourish hair roots and hair shaft to strengthen hair follicles.

5. Camellia Seed Oil

Packing a whopping 85% in omega-9 acid, no other vegetable oil has as much oleic acid as Camellia seed, camellia oleifera, oil. It is also rich in vitamin E (tocopherols), polyphenols and antioxidants. Camellia oil is a must-have for dry, brittle, damaged, dehydrated hair and scalp as well as for the treatment of alopecia. It conditions and protects hair and scalp while promoting hair growth, improving lustre and slowing down the effects of ageing.

6. Rosehip Seed Oil

You’ve heard of the many wonderful benefits of Rosehip seed, rosa rubiginosa, oil for the skin. What about for the hair? Rosehip seed oil is rich in beta-carotene, lycopene, omega-3, omega-6, omega-9 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins A and E. It penetrates deeply and rapidly, highly moisturising and promotes elasticity thereby conditioning and strengthening hair and scalp, preventing hair loss while restoring healthy shine to damaged, brittle and dehydrated hair. It is also useful in the treatment of inflamed and itchy scalp, scalp psoriasis and alopecia.

7. Emu Oil

You may find it strange to include this animal based oil but it is an amazing one that cannot be ignored! First of all, I beg your indulgence for a brief introduction of the oil. Emu, dromaius novaehollandiae, oil is rendered when the farmed bird, a flightless bird indigenous to Australia and related to the ostrich, is butchered for its red meat. The processed oil is a mixture of monounsaturated, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, 70% of which being the heart-protecting variety. It is deeply penetrating, highly moisturising and will not irritate even the most sensitive of skin. Touted as the oil for alopecia, Emu oil is effective against dry, brittle, damaged and dehydrated hair, inflamed and itchy scalp, scalp psoriasis, thinning hair and hair loss.

How to Use Them

Massage oil directly into scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes, an hour or even overnight. Wash hair afterwards.

For a hot oil treatment, pour the amount required in a clean container and placed it in a larger bowl filled with hot water for 10 minutes before applying it to hair and scalp. Wrap your head with a hot towel for 15-20 minutes before shampooing.

Alternatively, massage unheated oil into hair and scalp, wrap your head with a hot towel and enjoy a nice 15-20 minute relaxation in a sauna or steam room where available (at the gym or health centre for example). Shampoo it off when you’re done.

All the above oils can be found at your local health stores or online. They are inexpensive and so easy to use. Once you begin to see and feel the benefits, you’ll never want to spend hours and hundreds of dollars in a salon again.