Hailed as the wonder product for hair, black seed oil is unbeatable when it comes to its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which mean great things for beautiful, healthy hair. Enjoy!
I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d never heard of using black seed oil for the hair. I was new to it initially, and it intrigued me, too.
What even is black seed oil, I remember asking.
It sounds like something you cook with rather than a hair care product. And in truth, it’s both of those!
I wanted answers, so I did my research, and after reading up on the benefits of black seed oil for hair, I knew I’d be hooked.
This stuff is powerful, natural, multi-use, and works to transform dry, frazzled hair into deeply nourished, glorious locks.
By the way, when I say hair, I mean all hair. Yes! Black seed oil is also worth considering if you have a hairy-faced person in your household like me!
What is black seed oil?
The black seed comes from the plant with the Latin name ‘Nigella Sativa.’
Some people call it black caraway seed or black cumin. It’s often found in Indian cooking, adding delicious spice and depth to curries.
It has various other names, too – the list of names is pretty long, so I won’t go into it here too much.
You only need to be aware of the name black seed oil when you’re purchasing it. It’s the oil that is the special bit that has huge amounts of desirable properties.
So before we dive deep into its benefits, know that this oil has been used for centuries, but somewhat recently has gained popularity for the benefits it has for the hair – particularly hair growth. That will be our focus for today.
How to use black seed oil for hair growth
I know that this is the big question we all want answered: how do you use black seed oil to make hair healthier and luscious?
1. Apply a few drops of the oil to your hands, rub the oil between the palms of your hands to warm it gently, and massage it into your scalp.
2. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes (up to 30 minutes), then wash it out and style it as normal.
Pro tip: If you want an extra boost of hydration on top of the black seed oil benefits, you can combine it with equal parts coconut oil and leave it on for the same amount of time before rinsing out.
Can I leave black seed oil in my hair?
It may be tempting if your hair is really dry or damaged to leave in black seed oil – as a deep conditioning treatment type thing, and in truth, there’s no harm in doing so.
In fact, some sources suggest leaving it in overnight for best results.
If you leave black seed oil in your hair overnight, a shower cap can be helpful to prevent oil residue from spreading onto your bedsheets.
Black seed oil benefits for the hair
Hair growth: Possibly one of the primary reasons people use black seed oil is its potential to stimulate hair growth. For instance, a study combining black seed oil and coconut oil demonstrated significant hair growth benefits.
Improve scalp condition: Black seed oil can soothe and nourish the scalp, promoting a favorable environment for hair growth.
Strengthen hair follicles: While there hasn’t been much research on this particular topic, this article suggests that black seed oil can nourish and moisturize the hair, which can lead to healthier, more resilient hair.
Dandruff prevention: This oil has been known to soothe certain scalp conditions, such as dandruff.
Where to get black seed oil
If you can, try to buy the highest-quality black seed oil for your budget. Make sure it’s organic—100% pure is best, as you don’t want to add unnecessary additives to your hair with a watered-down version.
You can buy pure, natural black seed oil from many health food stores and online, too – this is the brand I use
Expert tips
Consistency is key: While your hair may feel nicely moisturized at first, you’ll need to stay consistent to see real results.
Less is more: A little goes a long way with black seed oil. Using too much can make your hair feel greasy.
Start slow: Start slow and gradually increase the amount and frequency of black seed oil you use. Don’t expect overnight miracles.
Patch test: Before applying black seed oil to your scalp and hair, do a patch test on a small area of skin behind your ear to check for any allergic reactions.
Use a carrier oil: If you have a sensitive scalp, you may want to dilute black seed oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil.
Storage: Store black seed oil in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency. Always use it before the expiration date printed on the bottle.
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Linda Coleman says
I’ve never before heard of Black Seed Oil, but you’ve made it sound easy to use and good for my hair! So, I’ve already put in my order and expect to receive it today! I’ll let you know how it works on my hair in a few weeks/months or so!
Pip says
Thanks for the the information, very interesting.