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Dr. Vikramjeet Singh Dhingra is an experienced plastic surgeon having done his M.Ch plastic surgery from NHL medical college Ahmadabad. After this, he had undergone specialized laser and cosmetic surgery training in Mumbai and abroad. With a special interest in cosmetic practice and experience as a consultant in Fortis and Max hospital Mohali, he has now set up BODY SCULPT, a premier skin and cosmetic clinic in the region.
mybest editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in India in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
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Hair oils have been a part of Indian hair care routines for a long time, and while the older generations know a lot about them, many of us youngsters do not. Therefore, let us explain how you can choose the best oils to keep your hair dark naturally. Also, our buying guide is thorough examined by a specialist, Dr Vikramjeet Singh Dhingra, a dermatologist, so keep reading to know more in detail.
Some oils like mustard and coconut can be used for cooking as well, so if you’re planning to do that, we recommend keeping them in separate bottles to avoid any confusion. Some oils though limited to the external application only, so make sure you read the labels clearly before using them.
Oil application has been a long tradition in our Indian culture. There are a variety of oils available in the market. Depending on the hair shaft texture, root strength, and scalp skin pH, the requirement and benefits of various oils may vary.
We also need to vary the time that the hair oil is left on the scalp. Apart from that, whether the oil needs to be applied on the scalp or hair shafts also varies. The pressure with which the hair oil is massaged or dripped onto the head can also change the oils' beneficial properties.
Oils like flaxseed oil and cod liver oil are two types that we can consume to help make our hair darker and prevent premature greying internally. These oils are rich in omega 3 and vitamin E, both of which are important nutrients to keep the hair healthy.
While flaxseed oil can be used for cooking, cod liver oil comes in little capsules that you must take every day. So check out our products list, as we have included this type as well.
A variety of oils that help include the oil-soluble vitamins and minerals in our diet should be consumed in a balanced manner. The food with which they are consumed also alters their absorption.
More processed oils can add to oxidative stress on the body, so less processed oils and in as natural a form should be a good choice to avail maximum benefits. Good natural sources of oils beneficial to the skin and scalp include almond oil, fish oil, cold-pressed oil, and oils from a combination of seeds.
Whether you’re using a single ingredient oil or a mixture of multiple oils, you must make sure that the ingredients in a product are actually beneficial for preventing premature greying and darkening the hair.
Like the fruit, the oil contains high vitamin C levels and antioxidants that help fight early signs of aging, including premature greying. Although you can eat the fruit, amla oil is not recommended for cooking purposes, and its use should be limited to an external application. The oil will not only help to prevent grey hair but also make black hair appear more lustrous.
Amla is known not just to help the hair if applied directly, but freshly drawn juice of amla is known to have beneficial effects in preventing early greying as well as maintaining lustrous hair. It also helps maintain the sheen and provides a good pH to the scalp, helping in healthy hair growth and controlling dandruff.
On its own, rosemary is not as strong as amla, but when it is combined with other darkening ingredients, it can work a lot more efficiently. Therefore, you should try to look for products that include rosemary in addition to some other natural coloring agents.
Rosemary contains ursolic acid, which helps increase scalp circulation, darken grey hair, and slow hair greying. Both the essential oil and leaf extract of rosemary have been shown to improve hair growth and decrease hair fall in clinical studies.
If mixed with other oils like coconut or almond oil, it may help benefit the scalp further and treat the itching caused by minoxidil.
You must be very careful while using this oil because it is not edible and should only be used externally. Effects of consuming Brahmi oil vary depending on the amount – small amounts can cause nausea, while large amounts can be lethal.
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is known for its effects on the brain and memory, and it also helps fight oxidative stress in the skin and scalp. It is known to help in eczematous conditions and also improves flakiness and itching of the scalp. With its anti-inflammatory properties, improvement in hair growth is a strong possibility.
Bhringraj plant, also known as false daisy, is an ingredient that has been traditionally used in Ayurveda due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-stress properties. Scalp inflammations and stressful lifestyles can often lead to premature greying.
However, massaging bringraj oil helps treat inflammation and relieves stress, which results in healthier hair growth and reduces the chances of premature greying. You must not consume this oil, as it is meant for external application only.
Eclipta prostrata Roxb belongs to the Asteraceae family and is commonly known as a false daisy in English and bhringoraj or bhringraj. Studies conducted have shown that the extracts of this plant significantly reduced hair growth time by half. A dose-dependent transition of telogen to anagen phase of hair growth was observed.
A polyherbal formulation containing E. alba, Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis, and Nardostachys jatamansi exhibited excellent hair growth in Wistar albino rats. With evidence-based studies, Bhringraj stands true to its kingly status.
Since mehndi stains are usually somewhere between orange, red, and brown, adding another darkening agent like amla helps intensify the color and bring it to a darker brown. Several people are allergic to mehndi, so before you use it, make sure you do a patch test on your hand.
It also has a powerful, distinct scent, which can make some people nauseous or give them headaches, so make sure you don’t have any of those issues before using an oil containing henna essence.
Formulation with gudhal, jatamansi, kuth, kattha, amla, coffee, and henna has shown promising hair darkening effects. Studies have suggested that these herbs in combination act synergistically in hair colouring action.
This combination and the effect of henna alone have been used for centuries in the Indian subcontinent as a safe hair colouring agent.
Hibiscus flowers and leaves contain high levels of amino acids and vitamin c, both of which are great for treating damaged hair. Sun-damaged hair often lacks colour and lustre, therefore, using oils with hibiscus extracts can bring life back into the strands, making them appear darker and shinier.
Despite its amazing properties, hibiscus is not recommended for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. There have been cases of hibiscus extracts causing hormonal imbalances and health issues for such women. We also suggest doing a patch test first, as there are quite a few people who are allergic to hibiscus.
The hibiscus red flower oil is rampantly used in various hair masks, oils and shampoos. The conditioning effects of hibiscus helps in having smooth, lustrous hair.
The hibiscus powders mixed in various oils or mixtures of hair masks also prevent split ends in hair. It is also having anti-inflammatory properties for strong hair roots.
Oils with curry leaf extracts help increase blood circulation and provide the above-mentioned nutrients, all of which are great for reducing hair fall, repairing damaged hair from the roots, and preventing premature greying.
Curry leaf extracts are rich in antioxidants as well as beta carotene. This combined help in reducing hair loss and improving hair growth. Consumption, as well as the local application, is known to be useful for good hair growth.
The extracts also help in moisturising the hair and scalp. The protein content also helps in hair repair and preventing hair loss.
Another important aspect that you must consider when choosing a hair oil is its consistency. Your choice of consistency should be based on your hair type and when you plan to use the oil.
Lighter consistency oils are recommended for those who’re oil their hair in the morning and do not want their hair to look too greasy. It’s also a better choice for those with thinner hair as it would be easier to wash out, and it won’t weigh the hair down.
Light oils like argan, grapeseed, jojoba, rosehip seed, sweet almond are absorbed quickly into light hair. The cuticle is tightly bound in light hair that doesn’t absorb heavy oils, so light oils are a boon for such hair.
On the contrary heavy oils can sit on the hair shafts and weigh them down. When the hair does not absorb the hair oil, it becomes detrimental to their growth.
There are also oils like mustard and sesame oil, which have a much heavier consistency and provide a lot more moisture to the hair and scalp. These oils need a much longer time to work, so they’re more suitable for overnight treatments.
These oils are perfect for those with thick hair as they won’t have to resort to using a lot of oil to coat their hair properly. Since these oils are on the greasier side, it takes a while to wash them out properly, therefore, it’s best not to use them during the day.
Heavy oils are not absorbed in low porosity hair and can sit on them to weigh them down. However, they are champions if they are left for a longer duration over high porosity hair. They can seal them and give a firm structure.
Furthermore, it goes rancid really easily, so you must keep it refrigerated! It would also be hard to consume for those who don’t like salads or smoothies as it is hard to incorporate flaxseed oil into Indian cooking.
You might have seen organic virgin coconut oils and they can be a bit pricy, this organic oil from Indus Valley is organic yet economical which is a rare combination.
Those who apply oil daily to get that moisturized look can surely buy this product as this product has been produced with fresh coconut milk and has been cold-pressed to retain all the benefits that coconut has to offer. It also works as an excellent massager which is suitable for all skin types.
This oil has been separated from some of its nutrients like lauric acid and a few vitamins. It has been heated in such a way that the smell of coconut has vanished. The specialty of this product is that even in winters, it remains in its original form.
It is quickly absorbed by the scalp, which makes it hydrated and enriched. Those who have thick hair can use this product freely, but people with thin hair can avoid this because it has no lauric acid added. Also, for those who do not like that coconut-y smell and want non-greasy hair after applying the oil, this product is suitable.
This sweet almond oil comes filled with natural ingredients. The Organic Ayurveda Kama Oil is extracted from almonds grown in the Himalayas. This product is suitable for all skin types and also for infants.
It is a completely natural oil that reduces hair fall by strengthening the hair follicles. Moreover, it reduces aging signs if applied on the face and improves fingernail growth if applied on hands and feet.
Do not expect these oils to make your hair go from grey to brown or black, as that would probably drive hair colours out of business. Oils are more about nourishing and preventing premature greying, while hair colours are more appropriate for covering up lots of grey strands.
External factors like stress and eating habits are also important as no matter how much time and money you invest in taking care of your hair, if you’re too stressed or are not eating right, the results won’t be as great.
You know the Indian culture of champi, so our grandparents or parents even used ghee or mustard oil for strengthening the hair follicles. Here, look at these articles to check the detailed buying guides, which are researched thoroughly and made.
We hope we could explain how you should choose the best darkening hair oils for preventing grey hair, and we also hope our list of top 10 products helped you choose the best hair oil for yourself. Do remember, though, that these oils cannot perform magic, and you must make changes to your lifestyle to achieve the best results!
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