Olive oil can be used as a natural means to condition, moisturize and soften your hair, according to "The Science of Hair Care." Olive oil has the ability to penetrate deeper into hair's cuticles than many commercial hair conditioners, making it an ideal choice to condition dry or damaged hair. The benefits of conditioning your hair with olive oil can be obtained in as little as 30 minutes. Only a few supplies are necessary, most likely already located in your home.
Step 1
Microwave 1/2 cup of olive oil in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds. If the olive oil is not warm to the touch, microwave in 15-second increments until it is.
Step 2
Protect your clothing by placing a towel over your shoulders. Pin the towel under your chin with a clothes pin to keep it in place.
Step 3
Scoop a dime-sized amount of olive oil out of the bowl with a spoon. Place the olive oil in your palm and massage it into your hair. "Hair Care: An Illustrated Dermatologic Handbook" suggests that people with dry scalps also massage the olive oil into the scalp and that people with oily hair do not apply olive oil to the scalp or hair within 1/2 inch of the scalp.
Step 4
Cover your hair with a shower cap. Make sure it's all tucked in with none hanging out. Leave your hair in the shower cap for at least 30 minutes. According to "Hair and Hair Care," 30 minutes is an adequate amount of time for hair to be conditioned and moisturized by olive oil.
Step 5
Shampoo your hair and then rinse out the olive oil and shampoo. According to "The Science of Hair Care," shampooing with a moisturizing shampoo with vitamin E is ideal because it will further moisturize the conditioned hair.
Things You'll Need
- Olive oil
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Microwave
- Shower cap
- Shampoo
- Wide-toothed comb
- Towel
- Clothes pin
- Spoon
References
- "The Science of Hair Care"; Claude Bouillon and John Wilkinson; 2005
- "Hair Care: An Illustrated Dermatologic Handbook"; Zoe Diana Draelos; 2004
- "Hair and Hair Care"; Dale H. Johnson; 1997
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