Olive Oil Conditions Hair Better
Researchers found that olive oil and other natÂural oils can be effecÂtive hair conÂdiÂtionÂers because they reduce capÂilÂlary adheÂsion in hair, preÂventÂing tanÂgling and breakÂage. The study sugÂgests that oils like olive oil can be absorbed into the hair shaft, creÂatÂing a thin coatÂing that preÂvents strands from stickÂing together, unlike minÂeral oil which does not absorb and can cause adheÂsion.
Olive oil has long been touted as natÂural alterÂnaÂtives to comÂmerÂcial hair conÂdiÂtionÂers, but its effiÂcacy has not often been explored by researchers.
In a report pubÂlished by the Journal of Cosmetic Science, the authors studÂied hair’s capÂilÂlary adheÂsion after being coated in difÂferÂent oils. Capillary adheÂsion can be seen in action when a glass of water forms conÂdenÂsaÂtion; the water around the botÂtom of the glass can cause it to become stuck to the surÂface it is restÂing on, like a table or coaster.
On a much smaller scale, water or oil, when put in one’s hair, can cause indiÂvidÂual strands to stick together. This effect may cause hair to tanÂgle or break. However, olive and other natÂural oils were found to cause less capÂilÂlary adheÂsion when used in hair, indiÂcatÂing that they could be sucÂcessÂfully used as a conÂdiÂtioner withÂout causÂing hair breakÂage.
See Also:Olive Oil Health Benefits
The study’s authors hypothÂeÂsized that because olive and other natÂural oils are able to be absorbed into the hair shaft, capÂilÂlary adheÂsion is weakÂened over time. The oil evenÂtuÂally forms only a thin coatÂing around each hair, not enough to allow strands to stick to each other. In conÂtrast, minÂeral oil does not absorb into the hair shaft, and thus the authors observed that it does not cause a reducÂtion in adheÂsion.
These findÂings are good inforÂmaÂtion for anyÂone wishÂing to use oil as part of their hair styling rouÂtine. Olive oil, unlike minÂeral oil, can be effecÂtively used in hair withÂout causÂing strands to adhere together. The longer the oil is left to absorb in the hair, the less capÂilÂlary adheÂsion will occur.