How to Have Healthier Hair Using Olive Oil

Co-authored by Michelle Bebbington

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 Approved

Treat your hair with olive oil to help replenish frizzy, damaged hair. If you have thick or heavily processed hair, olive oil can help replenish the moisture that your hair needs to become healthy.^{[1]
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Research source} Read on and learn how to restore your hair with a simple olive oil treatment!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Applying Olive Oil

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Use olive oil no more than once a week before you take a shower. Olive oil has a natural cleansing action. It’s great for gently cleaning the hair and scalp. Set aside a day or night when you don't need to go anywhere. You'll want to let the olive oil sit in your hair to get the full effect, and your hair may remain somewhat greasy even after you rinse out the oil.^{[2]
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- Don't shampoo your hair before using olive oil: the treatment will work better as a conditioner if your hair is clean, but not shampooed. Shampoo is an astringent, and it will strip your hair of oils.^{[3]
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- It is okay to wash your hair and condition it before using olive oil. However, the most effective tactic is to apply the oil first, then rinse your hair afterward.
^{[4]
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Research source} You may also use a pot on the stove, but you'll need to be extra-vigilant to make sure that it doesn't overheat! The olive oil doesn't need to be super hot – just warm enough to be more fluid, which helps saturate your hair.

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Consider mixing the olive oil with almond oil and egg. This may lend your hair more shine and help replenish lost nutrients. You may also consider combining olive oil with other essential oils like almond oil, tea tree oil, and jojoba oil.^{[5]
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Research source} Try making a mixture using the following increments:
- 1 egg. Consider using the whole egg, not only the yellow part, because the whites contain compounds that stimulate hair growth.^{[6]
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  Research source} The egg-white is even more important if you have acne or skin deficiencies.
- 1 teaspoon of raw almond oil. This step is optional, but it really helps to smooth your skin and hair. This is especially important if you're using a high-acidity olive oil.
- 1 spoonful of olive oil. You can even make it 1.5 or 2 spoonfuls.
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Rub the olive oil all over your hair while it is dry. Pour the oil on your head and massage thoroughly throughout, from scalp to tip. Use a liberal amount; don't skimp on the oil!
- Make sure to do this in the bathroom or somewhere else that's easy to clean. Ideally, stand in the shower, the tub, or outdoors, and don't wear any clothes that you don't want to get oily. There's a good chance that some of the oil will spill!

Part 2

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Washing the Oil Out

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Leave the olive oil in your hair for 30-60 minutes. Put a plastic bag or foil around your hair to retain the oils. If your hair is long, bundle it up on top of your head, to help keep a little heat in (similar to bleaching hair). The bag or foil will help keep oil off of things if you sit down and help keep some of the heat in. This consistency in heat will help the olive oil saturate the hair and also give your scalp a good moisturizing!^{[7]
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- To speed up the process, stretch a shower cap or foil over your hair and take a warm shower. The steam and heat will help your hair absorb the olive oil more quickly.
Charles Worthington, Hairdresser

Olive oil is a great natural conditioner for hair. It can help to nourish and moisturize hair, leaving it soft and shiny. To use olive oil as a conditioner, apply it to your hair and scalp, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out with warm water.
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Rinse out the olive oil. After the oil has been in your hair for 30-60 minutes, it's time to rinse! Take the bag/foil off and undo your hair. If you haven't done so already, hop in the shower and run warm water through your locks.
- Do not use shampoo for this shower. Again, shampoo can strip the oils from your hair, reversing the healthful effect of the olive oil treatment. Conditioner is okay.
Your hair may feel a little greasy while it dries; that's why it's good to do this on a day off. This extra little step will add to the health factor, especially if you use a lot of hot tools on your hair. If everything is done right, your hair should feel a bit more full and flexible.

Which Oil Is Best For Hair?

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Question

Can olive oil be used as an alternative to coconut oil?

Community Answer

Olive oil and coconut oil each provide different benefits to hair. Depending on your hair type, one option maybe better than the other.

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When I apply olive oil to my hair, I find around 10 to 25 hairs stuck to my hands and in the sink, is that normal, or am I doing damage?

Megan16

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Oil makes things stickier, so it's just making your fallen hair more noticeable. If you pull and twist your hair a lot when applying the olive oil, this may also contribute to fallen hair.

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When should I shampoo my hair after using olive oil?

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Wait a minimum of an hour. It works great if you can leave it overnight on your hair and wash it the next morning.

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Tips

Don't do this too often, or it may make your hair greasy. Once a week is fine.

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Warnings

Be very careful of the olive oil dripping from your hair onto the floor. You may slip on it and hurt yourself. Make sure that all the olive oil filters down the drain when you're done; you don't want the person who showers after you to slip.

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