Olive Oil and Mayo: Food for your Follicles
By: Michele Kadison
We all crave beautiful, shiny, manageable tresses and our consumption of thousands of hair products stands as a testimonial to this common desire. As slaves to hype, we spend countless dollars on hair conditioners, often throwing away formulas after a first disappointing try. Instead of continually searching for the perfect manufactured product, we can turn to what the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians used in their tried-and-true beauty regimens: a simple dose of extra virgin olive oil to create shiny, healthy tresses.
What Hair Needs
Hair needs protein, moisture, and essential nutrients. As a dead protein, the more our follicles are nourished with these elements, the greater the chances our hair will be strong, elastic, and healthy. When hair is excessively dry, due to an overuse of products, chemicals, and dryers for example, extra conditioning with a reliable, natural product can help repair the damage. When weather conspires to sap the moisture from our follicles, extra conditioning with an additive-free product like olive oil or mayonaise will help to hydrate and smooth each hair while repairing split ends.
The Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil contains a generous amount of vitamins A and E, which are known to repair and renew cells. Additionally, it is chock full of Omega 3 fatty acids, which are powerful anti-oxidants that work to strengthen and heal any cells that have undergone damage. Because olive oil is hypo-allergenic, it is an ideal treatment for any type of hair, be it course or fragile.
The Benefits of Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a combination of egg yolk and olive oil. Because of the nutritious elements in olive oil combined with the protein found in egg yolks, mayo helps to strengthen damaged, overworked hair while providing extra shine and elasticity. Because of their nutritious elements, both mayonnaise and olive oil help to control dandruff by lubricating the cells of the scalp. Mayo is also used topically to rid the scalp of head lice by suffocating the creatures with its inherent oil and fat.
Using Olive Oil and Mayonnaise Directly on Hair
Both of these excellent foods are natural moisturizers, while also providing UV protection. Adding a few drops of olive oil on damp or dry hair helps keep down the frizz during humid weather while adding shine during dry winter conditions. Giving your hair a hot oil treatment by warming up a few tablespoons of olive oil or mayonnaise in the microwave and then massaging it into the scalp helps to lubricate the scalp while saturating hair follicles with nutrients and protein. Place a shower cap over your hair, wait thirty minutes to let the oils do their work, and then wash your hair thoroughly. Or cover your hair in plastic wrap and keep the natural conditioner on while you sleep. Using olive oil or mayo on the hair in addition to including it in the diet also helps prevent hair loss due to both ingredients' power to fortify and nourish the entire system.
Olive Oil and Mayonnaise in the Diet
Including olive oil and natural mayonnaise in the diet helps maintain a healthier head of hair by nourishing the body with needed nutrients, such as vitamins A and E, along with Omega 3 fatty acids. Be sure to get the finest quality ingredients you can, meaning in the case of olive oil, a cold, first-pressed virgin and organic brand. In the case of mayonnaise, you can make your own using extra virgin first cold pressed olive oil, or you can select a ready-made brand that provides you with natural ingredients and no additives.
Note: When using olive oil, it is best to add it to your salad dressings, or any other dish where it is not heated, as heating olive oil destroys many of its properties.
