How to Use Aloe Vera Gel on Your Hair

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: January 11, 2022 References Approved

Aloe vera is an incredibly versatile plant—in addition to being used for skin care, it is a great product to apply to your hair! It’s full of vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, which help it promote hair growth, soothe flaky scalps, and moisturize dried out locks. Use it as a conditioner after you wash your hair, apply it to your roots to promote hair growth, or make a delightful mask for a relaxing spa day at home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Conditioning Your Hair with Aloe Vera

1
Transfer half of your favorite conditioner to an empty container. Use a spare plastic bottle or a resealable glass jar to put half of the conditioner in, and set it aside somewhere safe so you can use it later and make a second batch of aloe conditioner.^{[1]
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- Mixing up a batch of aloe conditioner saves you money because it doubles the amount of time you’ll go between having to purchase new product.
2
Funnel aloe vera gel into the half-empty bottle to fill it up. You may be able to simply spoon the gel in, but if the mouth of the bottle is narrow, it would be easier to use a funnel. In general, you should aim to make your conditioner bottle a mixture of 1:1 aloe to conditioner, but it’s okay if the proportions are a little bit off.^{[2]
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- Use fresh aloe vera gel, which can be purchased at your local health food store, or harvest the aloe vera gel yourself if you have a plant at home.
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3
Shake up the bottle to fully incorporate the aloe and conditioner. Reattach the lid to the bottle, and give it several good shakes until everything is mixed together. Test the product by squeezing some out into your hand—if it is primarily aloe, then you need to mix it up more.^{[3]
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- Each time you use the conditioner, give it a few shakes in case either of the ingredients settled.
4
Apply the conditioner after washing your hair and leave it in for 2 minutes. After you wash your hair, apply the conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes before you rinse it out. It may take a week or two for you to notice the difference, but before long the aloe should start working its magic on your hair.^{[4]
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- Aloe vera helps clear up dry skin and dandruff, and it also heals hair that has been damaged by heat or chemicals.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Aloe Vera Gel for Hair Growth

1
Apply aloe vera gel directly to your scalp. Put 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 44 mL) of aloe vera gel onto your fingertips. Massage the gel into your scalp—don’t forget the back of your hair, too!^{[5]
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- You can use aloe vera gel from the store, or harvest it yourself if you have an aloe plant at home.
2
Leave the aloe vera gel on your scalp for 10 to 20 minutes. There’s no need to cover your hair with a towel or shower cap—simply set a timer and go about your business.^{[6]
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- If you’re going to lay down, though, you could wrap a towel around your head to keep the aloe vera gel on your scalp, though it won’t hurt anything if it rubs off.
3
Wash off the aloe vera gel with shampoo and then condition as normal. After 10 to 20 minutes have passed, simply wash and condition your hair like you normally do. For extra conditioning and hair-growth benefits, use an aloe vera conditioner.^{[7]
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- Avoid using high-heat instruments if you’re trying to encourage new hair growth, as it can damage your hair follicles.
4
Repeat this process 2-3 times a week for the best results. If you’re trying to encourage new hair growth, repeating this process several times a week is the best option. Make it a part of your routine at night before you go to bed.^{[8]
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- Combine the scalp treatment with a once per week hair mask for shiny, smooth hair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mixing up an Aloe Vera Coconut Hair Mask

1
Put 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of aloe vera gel into a bowl. For such a small amount of aloe, you’ll only need 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of an aloe leaf if you’re harvesting it yourself.^{[9]
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- If you don’t have fresh aloe at home, use store-bought aloe vera gel, which can be found at health food stores.
2
Mix the aloe vera with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of virgin coconut oil. For the easiest results, use coconut oil that is at room temperature—it’ll be easier and faster to incorporate with the aloe. Use a spoon to mix up the ingredients until they make a single paste.^{[10]
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- If your hair needs a little extra conditioning, you could also add in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey.
3
Use your fingers to apply the gel to your hair, starting at mid-shaft. Work the mask down through the ends of your hair, and then go back up and massage it into your scalp, too. Keep working the mask through your hair until it is covering everything. If you have really long hair, you may need to double the recipe.^{[11]
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- Starting at mid-shaft helps ensure the mask gets smoothed over all your hair and isn’t mainly at the scalp, which could end up making it look greasy.
- You may need to massage the coconut oil and aloe gel with your fingers for a few minutes to warm it up and make it easier to spread.
- Wear an old t-shirt that you don’t mind getting a little messy, just in case any of the mask gets onto your clothes.
4
Wrap your hair in a warm, damp towel or a shower cap. This is mainly to protect your clothes and furniture while you let the mask do its work, but the warm, damp towel can help to provide your hair with a little extra moisturizing power, too, and it’ll keep the mask moist.^{[12]
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- If you leave your hair unwrapped, it’s possible that the mask will start to stiffen on your hair and won’t work as well.
5
Let the mask penetrate your hair for 40-45 minutes. Set a timer or turn on the TV and catch up on a few episodes of your favorite show and relax! The mask will do all the work itself.^{[13]
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- Don’t leave the mask in for longer than two hours or it’ll definitely start to dry out.
6
Wash your hair as normal after the time is up. Once your timer goes off, take a shower and wash your hair to get all of the mask rinsed out. You’ll notice that your hair feels smoother than it did before.^{[14]
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- No need to add conditioner after washing out the mask!
- Try applying this mask once per week to keep your hair nicely conditioned.

Expert Q&A

Question

Do you put aloe vera on wet or dry hair?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

I'd do this with dry hair. Just apply the aloe vera directly to your scalp once your hair is totally dry. It shouldn't make a huge difference one way or another.
Question

Why would you put aloe vera in your hair?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

I can think of two reasons you might do this. For one, aloe vera can help curb oily hair since it cuts through excess sebum fairly well. The other reason to do this is if you have an irritated or dried out scalp. Aloe vera can soothe irritated skin, so if you're always scratching your head, this might bring you relief.
Question

Can I just apply the aloe directly to my skin? I've never used aloe vera before.

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

You can definitely apply it to your skin, but some people really don't like the way it feels and you can be allergic to aloe vera. I'd spot test it on a little bit of skin first if you've never used this stuff before. Just rub a tiny dollop on your elbow and wait 24 hours. If you don't have any reaction at all, you can apply more of it to your skin.

Warnings

Aloe vera is usually a great, all-natural product you can use for hair and skin health, but if you find that it’s making you itchy or break out in a rash or hives, stop using it immediately as you may be having an allergic reaction.

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