If you have ever fantasized about longer, thicker, healthier hair, you are not the only one. Nearly everyone has something they would change about their hair, which is why the beauty industry contains millions of products and hundreds of billions in revenue from people hoping to change or enhance the appearance of their tresses. What if we told you that one secret to longer, thicker, healthier hair might actually come from the cannabis plant? No, we’re not saying that smoking cannabis will grow your hair thicker or longer (but wouldn’t that be nice?) because it has nothing to do with the blunt you just lit up. Hemp oil, on the other hand, is a great source of the fatty acids your hair strands crave and is considered a miracle oil in many natural beauty circles.
Hemp oil is a popular supplement used in hair, skin, and food products in cultures all around the world. It is an incredibly versatile oil that is derived from hemp seeds, and having a bottle in your pantry will come in use whether you’re making your own salad dressings or hair care products.
Contrary to what you may be thinking about hemp-based products, hemp oil is not something you’re going to smoke, vape, or ingest in order to get high. That’s a whole other type of oil made with the flowers of the female cannabis plant. Instead, the kind of hemp oil we’re talking about today is made by putting hemp seeds from the male cannabis plant through a high-pressure extraction process that results in an oil-based product similar to olive or coconut oil. This is similar to the type of extraction process used to produce smokeable products like oils, shatters, and wax concentrates, which are typically made through a supercritical CO2 extraction process.
Hemp seed oil is filled with fatty acids that are great for the health of your skin and hair, so you can reap its benefits both on your body and in your body. It never hurts to have a product with so many uses on hand.
Benefits of Using Hemp Oil For Hair
Hemp oil is beneficial mostly because it is so rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which are excellent at protecting hair strands from damage and moisturizing your scalp. The more lipid moisture you give to your hair strands, the stronger they will remain against the effects of internal and external environmental stressors, heat styling, and chemical products, which in turn gives your hair the breathing room and nutrition it needs to grow.
Another great way to stimulate hair growth is by massaging your scalp with hemp oil. The massaging effect opens pores and blood vessels, which improves circulation and increases the blood flow to your hair follicles. While a product cannot directly affect the growth of your hair – that has to do with your bloodstream, not what you’re putting on the individual strands, which are already dead – it is possible to improve the quality of your hair growth (which may mean that in response your hair that grows more quickly) and a great way to do it is with a natural oil like hemp oil. It is also lighter than other oils like coconut, so it’s absorbed more effectively and is easier to wash out of your hair.
If you suffer from dandruff or other uncomfortable skin issues, you might also find that a hemp oil scalp massage reduces dryness, itchiness, and flakiness. The cause of dandruff can come from many factors including overwashing your hair and stripping too many of its natural oils, sensitivity to certain products, sunburn, or a build-up of yeast that can lead to conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis. Some conditions may require the help of a dermatologist or prescription medications, but in many cases, you’ll find that a relaxing scalp massage with a quality oil will help your scalp calm down and stop freaking out. If you have hard water, this might also irritate your scalp, and in this case, a clarifying shampoo and scalp moisturizer will help you find significant relief. Remember, your scalp is skin and occasionally, it will need a good moisturizer; just like the delicate skin on your face.
The great thing about hemp oil is that it’s a versatile ingredient for many different products, so you can use it on its own if you like, but many brands add hemp oil to their products so it’s easy to incorporate it into your hair care routine without putting straight oil on your head. Up next we have a few suggestions for DIY recipes involving hemp oil for your hair, followed by two shampoos we love that both contain hemp extracts.
How To Use Hemp Oil For Hair
The light and versatile texture of hemp oil makes it a perfect addition to your beauty and skincare routine. Here are some recipes for reaping the benefits of hemp oil on your hair with everyday items you can find right in your kitchen:
Hemp Oil Spray
Hemp oil spray makes an excellent detangler that can be easily customized to your needs. In a spray bottle combine 2 cups of filtered water, 4 drops of hemp oil, and 2 drops of essential oil for scent (we recommend lavender or patchouli). Spray it into clean, wet hair to make it easier for your comb to make it through without ripping it all out. You could even use this spray on a hot summer day to cool down your skin while lightly moisturizing with a touch of hemp.
Hemp Oil Hair Mask
This hair mask is a thick paste that will have your hair strands drinking up delicious fatty acids like it’s their job. In a bowl, combine:
2-4 drops hemp oil
Half a banana
Half an avocado
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp aloe vera gel
Mix together until they form a paste (you can use a blender if you’re ambitious). Comb the mixture through your hair, massage it into your scalp for a couple seconds, and let it dry for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and enjoy silky smooth strands.
Hemp Oil Scalp Massage
Whether you need some relief from a dry, itchy scalp or you want to grow long and luscious hair, one of the best things you can do is give yourself a daily scalp massage. As mentioned above, the benefits of a scalp massage include moisturizing the skin, increasing circulation around the hair follicles, and reducing the effects of dandruff or dermatitis. This can be done with a couple drops of hemp oil on your fingers, but if you want to kick the sensation and effects up a notch, do it with a scalp massager wand. This is obviously great for your hair and scalp, but it’s also a wonderful stress-relieving activity after a long day. Do this before bed and wash the oil out in the morning for some intensely relaxing scalp therapy that also happens to be great for your hair.
Best Hemp Oil For Hair
DIY recipes are wonderful, but as hemp products grow in popularity around the United States again, more companies are taking advantage of the light texture and nutrient-packed structure of hemp oil and adding it to their products. These two hemp-based shampoos come highly recommended for cleaning and hydrating your strands.
This hydrating shampoo contains cannabis sativa seed extract and oil, as well as keratin amino acids that are color-safe and gentle enough for daily use on all hair types. The hemp proteins bond to the hair to deliver a healthy dose of nourishing amino acids, leaving you with softer, more manageable tresses. Reviewers of this product love that it is non-irritating and works well on scalps that are prone to psoriasis or dandruff.
This sweet orange hemp oil shampoo combines virgin organic hemp seed oil with organic aloe vera, ginseng extract, coconut oil, nettle extract, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter for a shampoo that gently cleanses your hair while improving its strength, elasticity, bounce, and shine while keeping oil and dryness in balance. The sulfate-free formula means it’s safe for dyed hair and works great as a remedy for itchy and flaky scalps, eczema, and psoriasis.
These are just a few of the many products and recipes available for using hemp oil on your hair. When selecting a hemp oil product, make sure you choose one made with organic seeds to ensure it will not contain unnecessary pesticides or additives. Hemp oil can be used in place of nearly any other cooking oil, so don’t be afraid to experiment to see what it can do as part of your regular beauty routine. Add a couple drops to your existing shampoo, dab some under your eyes before bed for extra moisture, and don’t forget about that luxurious scalp massage. We’re sure you will appreciate yet another way to reap the nutritious, healing benefits of hemp and cannabis, one of the most versatile plants on earth.