Everyone is trying to get healthier hair, which is why the global hair care market was valued at almost 100 billion dollars in 2023 [1]. Hair oils make up about a third of that market.
However, not all commercially available products are backed by science. Most hair growth oils are known to have little research behind them to support their touted benefits. So are there any benefits of avocado oil for hair? Find out all you need to know about this remedy, such as:
Avocado oil is extracted from the fruit and/or seed of the avocado plant. Traditionally, it has been used for many purposes, from cooking to alternative healthcare. It has been scientifically linked with the prevention of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease [2][3].
Avocado oil is currently used in the cosmetic industry for its good skin and hair moisturising properties, its plentiful antioxidants and its capacity to stimulate collagen production [4]. However, it must be kept in mind that the chemical composition of commercially available formulas can vary significantly. The main factors that can influence it are the geographic region the fruits were harvested from, the part of them that was used and the method of extraction.
For example, oil obtained from avocado pulp has substantially more fatty acids than the variety extracted from the fruit’s seed [5]. This is why it is difficult to assess its overall effectiveness [6].
At this time, an insufficient number of clinical trials have been conducted to test the effectiveness of avocado oil on hair growth and hair health. Most of what is known about its beneficial properties for human hair is derived from the qualities of its main components, such as fatty acids, plant phenols, and vitamins. However, while more evidence is needed, avocado oil may indeed help your hair health in the following ways:
Avocado oil for hair contains abundant fatty acids (e.g. oleic and linolenic acids) [3][6]. This means that when it is applied to your hair, it will nourish your strands, making them shiny, soft, well-hydrated and easy to style. And since avocado oil is light, it can be used on most hair types. However, it will have the greatest impact on dry, brittle hair, by helping to restore its health and natural shine.
Having well-moisturised hair doesn’t only make it look and feel better. It also increases its strength and elasticity and reduces hair breakage, as your strands become less fragile. It also helps you detangle your hair more easily, minimising damage while brushing.
According to science, avocado oil has a similar antioxidant activity to that of olive oil for hair [5]. That is because it contains substances such as flavonoids (plant-based compounds) and, hair growth vitamins (e.g. A, B, C, and E), which have antioxidant properties [3][4]. They can reduce some of the damage caused by oxidative stress on your hair, helping it remain strong and avoid preventable strand breakage. [7][4]
Moreover, the presence of a wide array of vitamins in avocado oil for hair can provide your strands with the nutrients they need to grow healthy. At the same time, regularly using the oil for cooking can help prevent vitamin deficiencies that can cause hair loss. That is good news since in some cases, the resulting hair thinning cannot be reversed with supplementation.
In vitro studies performed on avocado oil for hair have revealed that it possesses certain antimicrobial properties which make it somewhat effective against several types of bacteria and fungi [4]. This includes candida albicans, which can cause yeast infections on the scalp [8]. So applying avocado oil to your scalp may help combat other common scalp problems caused by fungi, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
However, no studies have been conducted so far to test the efficacy of avocado oil against Malassezia furfur, the microorganism that produces these conditions. Moreover, some authors point out that even if its antimicrobial agents are effective, they are only present in avocado oil in small quantities, so they may not have a large enough effect when applied topically to the scalp [9].
Certain components in avocado oil (e.g. carotenoids, phenolics) have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect both in vitro and in animal studies [4][5]. If this also manifests when the oil is applied to the human scalp, it might help reduce the symptoms of certain inflammatory conditions. These may include certain types of alopecia, such as alopecia areata, or other autoimmune scalp problems, such as eczema or scalp psoriasis.
One study shows that avocado oil has been successfully used topically, alongside vitamin B12, to treat plaque psoriasis [10]. However, no studies have been conducted to test whether and to what extent this oil can reduce scalp inflammation when applied to the scalp on its own.
Androgenetic alopecia occurs when your body produces excessive amounts of a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) [11]. This hormone binds to androgen receptors in your hair follicles, preventing them from producing new strands. While more evidence is needed to ascertain this, there is some indication that certain components in avocado oil may act as natural DHT blockers.
For example, it contains beta-sitosterol, a plant component also found in saw palmetto which reduces hair loss. This substance inhibits the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which converts some of your naturally occurring testosterone into DHT [12]. However, clinical trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of avocado oil in treating male pattern baldness when ingested or applied topically to the scalp.
It is quite easy to use avocado oil on your hair, either standalone or in a hair mask, mixed with other ingredients that can enhance your hair health. You can get quality avocado oil from a grocery or cosmetics store (extra virgin is the best option) or – if you have time and a passion for DIY cosmetics – extract it yourself from fresh fruit. If you would like to make some at home, the video below has some great tips on how you can do so:
Once you have your avocado oil, here are some of the best ways to use it on your hair to make the most of its benefits:
You can use avocado oil straight from the bottle. Simply put some in a spray bottle and spritz it on your scalp and hair. Alternatively, pour a few drops on your hands and gently rub your scalp. Use a comb to distribute the oil evenly from your hair roots to its ends. If your hair is dry, you can leave it in overnight. However, if it’s on the greasier side, it’s best to wash it off with warm water and shampoo after 30 minutes.
There are many beneficial ingredients you can combine avocado oil with to get a nourishing, deep-conditioning hair mask. Here are a couple of good ideas:
Soothing avocado oil hair mask
If you are experiencing scalp problems, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, this mask will not only nourish your hair, but it may also soothe your scalp and help decrease your symptoms. That is because peppermint oil for hair contains soothing menthol [13], tea tree oil helps reduce dandruff [14] and lavender oil has some antimicrobial properties and a relaxing scent that can reduce anxiety and stress-induced hair loss [15]:
Nourishing avocado and banana hair mask
For a deep-moisturising mask which supplies your hair with an abundance of nutrients, try the following recipe:
You might have some concerns about applying avocado oil to your scalp for extended periods, as some hair oils can irritate your skin. However, unless you are allergic to this fruit, it is likely quite safe to do so.
Avocado oil is normally a safe and gentle product and in most cases, it will have no negative side effects. However, people who are allergic to avocado may develop symptoms such as swelling, redness, itching, a rash and/or hives on the scalp after the oil is applied. This is why it is a good idea to try it out on a small portion of your skin before using it on your entire scalp.
There is also evidence that 50% of people who are allergic to latex also have a reaction to avocado [16], so be particularly careful if you have a known latex allergy.
Moreover, if your scalp is already greasy and you use a large amount of avocado oil on it or leave it in for too long, it could clog your pores or hair follicles. This could result in scalp acne or scalp folliculitis, so be sure to wash your hair regularly when using hair oils and to only keep them on for the recommended amount of time.
At this time, there are not enough studies to demonstrate that topically applied avocado oil can stimulate your hair follicles for growth or effectively curb hair loss. However, it may help reduce unnecessary hair thinning by nourishing and moisturising your strands and making them more resistant to breakage. It may also help keep your scalp healthier, so it can produce strong hair.
If you are interested in treating your hair thinning or in finding effective ways to grow hair quickly, look into the tried and tested alternatives to avocado oil below.
Here are some of the best evidence-based hair growth treatments available. Each of these is proven to boost hair density and health:
If you are looking for a way to grow thicker hair naturally, try some of the best essential oils for hair growth. Some of them have solid evidence to support their positive effects on alopecia. For example, rosemary oil for hair growth has been shown to be as effective as Minoxidil 2% against male pattern baldness [17].
Clinical trials have also confirmed pumpkin seed oil for hair can improve density in patients of both genders with androgenetic alopecia [18][19]. And black seed oil for hair can curb telogen effluvium and regulate your hair growth cycle [20].
Some of the most popular and effective hair growth treatments are Minoxidil and Finasteride. Minoxidil works by improving blood flow to your hair follicles [21], which makes it more versatile than Finasteride. It can help improve symptoms in several conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata or traction alopecia.
Finasteride, on the other hand, is very effective against male (and possibly female) pattern baldness, but it treats no other type of hair loss, as it works by lowering your blood DHT levels [22]. It is also not recommended for premenopausal women, as it can cause birth defects and hormonal imbalances.
If you are experiencing an autoimmune condition such as alopecia areata or scalp psoriasis, your trichologist may recommend topical steroid creams for hair loss. For more advanced bald patches, they may prescribe intralesional steroid injections for hair loss which can be more effective in reducing symptoms and restoring hair growth.
There is plentiful evidence that low-level laser therapy is effective in reducing the symptoms of several types of hair loss, from pattern baldness to alopecia areata [23]. And you can get red light therapy for hair growth in the comfort of your own home, by using a good-quality laser hair growth cap.
Another highly effective option is a course of PRP hair treatments. PRP therapy involves extracting a small quantity of blood from your arm, extracting the platelet-rich plasma from it and injecting it into the thinning spots on your scalp. Since PRP contains an abundance of growth factors, it can help repair your hair follicles and stimulate hair growth in pattern hair loss, autoimmune alopecias, traction alopecia and telogen effluvium [24].
Male patient before and after an FUE hair transplant performed at the Wimpole Clinic
A hair transplant is a simple, outpatient surgery performed under local anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during the procedure. It involves harvesting some healthy hair follicles from the back of your head and reimplanting them into specially-made slits in the balding areas of your scalp [25].
The best hair transplant clinics in the UK have an excellent success rate for both FUT and FUE hair restorations, so it is safe and easy to get a natural-looking hair transplant. And the main advantage is that hair transplants are permanent. This means that once you have restored your hair fullness, you no longer have to worry about it falling out again from pattern baldness. You will still be enjoying the results of your hair transplant after 10 years and much longer.
Avocado oil can help keep your strands nourished and healthy, so can be a good hair care solution for maintenance. However, If you have dry, damaged hair that feels like straw or are experiencing hair thinning, it is best to see a specialist and get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Book a consultation with one of our experienced trichologists at your most convenient clinic location. They will use state-of-the-art tools and diagnostic tests to perform a thorough examination of your scalp and hair. Once they have identified the source of your hair problems, they will recommend personalised treatment to suit your specific condition and advise you regarding the best hair care routine for thinning hair.
If you are curious to discover more about avocado oil and hair health, take a look at the answers to these frequently asked questions:
No, avocado is not an essential oil, but it can be used as a carrier oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated, fragrant and volatile, and they are extracted from the flowers, leaves or seeds of aromatic plants. They usually need to be diluted before being applied to the skin, as their high concentration can cause irritation.
Carrier oils, on the other hand, are extracted from the fatty parts of plants, such as the fruit pulp, seeds or nuts. They are not volatile, don’t normally irritate the skin and have a more subtle smell, so they can be used to dilute essential oils for safer application.
Avocado oil is normally lightweight, so it shouldn’t make your hair too greasy. However, if your scalp is already on the oilier side, it is best to use all hair oils sparingly to avoid adding to this problem. If you do apply avocado oil, make sure to wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner 30 minutes after application.
Normally, it is recommended to use avocado oil for hair 2-3 times a week. However, this depends on the condition of your hair. If it is dry and damaged, you can use it more frequently. However, if it is naturally oily, you may want to only use it once a week and make sure not to exceed 30 minutes before washing it off with shampoo.
You can safely use cooking avocado oil for your hair as long as it is not very processed. Extra virgin and virgin oil are the best choices, as they retain most of the fruit’s properties. While pure (refined) avocado oil is not likely to harm your hair and scalp, you may not be getting as many of its positive effects as you might get from the less processed varieties.
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