What are the Benefits & Uses of Amla Hair Oil?

What is Amla hair oil?

Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a fruit that is native to India but also grows throughout Asia and the Middle East. Amla hair oil is typically made by drying and mixing the fruit into a powder and then heating it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. But it can be produced by soaking the fruit in a carrier oil for several days, too. It’s beloved for its scalp and hair health, which Hill credits to its anti-inflammatory and restorative properties.

Amla hair oil benefits

So, how exactly do amla hair oil benefits hair and scalp health? 

The proposed amla hair oil benefits are credited to three unique properties the oil contains DHT blockers, vitamin C, and other antioxidants, which deliver these top four benefits. 

1. May prevent hair loss

One of the most popular benefits of amla hair oil is hair loss prevention. Amla extract is the second-most-potent, plant-based inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase, a producer of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is believed to be the cause of androgenic or genetic hair loss. 

   2. Improves scalp health

Amla hair oil is also rich in vitamin C, and Hill says that’s why it may improve scalp health by boosting collagen production. She adds that the antioxidant aids in preventing seasonal scalp dryness. 

   3. Encourages cellular turnover on the scalp

Cellular turnover is critical to feeding the hair follicle and building the hair fiber. It can promote hair growth, and when used as a pre-shampoo treatment, amla hair oil also exfoliates the scalp to prevent product build-up. 

  4. Helps maintain a healthy scalp

Amla hair oil also assists with stabilizing the scalp’s microbiome, which has been shown to reduce unwanted scalp conditions such as dandruff and itchy scalp. 

How to use amla hair oil

First, get yourself some amla hair oil and ensure you’re purchasing from a reputable amla hair oil manufacturer. Once you have your amla hair oil, experts recommend using it as a pre-shampoo scalp and hair treatment for general maintenance. To do so, apply the amla hair oil from root to ends on unshampooed dry hair.