Olive Oil & Hair Benefits
Olive oil has been hailed as the elixir of life because of its many healthy benefits. It helps control bad cholesterol (LDL), contains a high level of antioxidants and works as a natural ailment for ulcers and gastritis. Besides its health benefits, olive oil is a natural topical remedy that has been used for years to moisturize skin and nails and can even be used to treat hair damage. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Olive oil is an acid-free, polyphenol-rich, plant-based oil. It contains monosaturated fat, which has been used for years as a holistic, natural remedy to alleviate dryness. Besides its use on dry skin, olive oil has been used to provide rich nutrients and moisture to hair.
Damaged Hair
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Exposed dry heat, cold weather, excessive hair treatments and using a hair dryer or curler can lead to dry and damaged hair, leaving the ends brittle and split. As a conditioner, olive oil can help restore the hair's strength, shine and nourishment. Wash the hair, then apply half a cup of olive oil to the hair -- paying attention to the ends. Leave it on for five minutes and shampoo and rinse.
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Dandruff
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Dandruff is a problem for many people and it comes from dry scalp. Use a half cup to a full cup of olive oil, and use the fingertips to massage the oil thoroughly into the scalp in a circular motion. Repeat until the entire scalp is well moisturized. Cover the entire head with a shower cap for 30 minutes and rinse with shampoo and conditioner.
Types
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The four classifications of olive oil are: extra-virgin; virgin; pure and light or extra light. Extra-virgin is olive oil in its purest state and is the result of the first pressing of olives. Neither chemicals nor heat is used for extra-virgin. Virgin comes from the second pressing. Pure olive oil is processed and refined with chemicals in order to neutralize the taste and acidic components. Finally, extra light olive oil goes through many processing stages; the end product has a mild taste but is the least expensive.
Conclusion
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For hair care, extra-virgin olive oil is preferred because of its purity and because no chemicals were used during the processing. However, it can be a bit expensive to use as a beauty product. Today, many shampoo and conditioner products contain olive oil, which is an added and perhaps an inexpensive benefit.
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