Can neem oil improve hair and scalp health?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When used appropriately, neem oil can provide significant benefits to scalp health and hair health. Its fatty acids and antimicrobial properties are effective at resolving dandruff and weakness in hair follicles. I've had clients here who have chronic scalp irritations resolved with 5% dilutions; these results are often observed around 4 weeks of use.
Dandruff Control
- 5% neem + coconut oil reduces fungal growth in 72 hours
- Massage into scalp before shampooing twice weekly
- Rinse with apple cider vinegar for pH balance
Follicle Strengthening
- Linoleic acid repairs split ends and breakage
- Apply overnight mask with 10ml neem + 200ml argan oil
- Comb through damp hair for even distribution
Oily scalps can benefit from the sebum-normalizing properties of neem. Blend 3ml of the oil with 100ml of witch hazel to create a clarifying tonic. Spray on the scalp roots in between washes -- my client went from washing her hair every day to 3x a week and her hair looked great, it still had volume and shine.
Don't leave neem treatments on your hair longer than 45 minutes to be safe. Leaving the neem treatments on longer can dry out the hair shaft. A friend of mine once accidentally left a 10% neem mask on for the night, and her hair needed heavy conditioning to restore moisture. For coarse hair, you can also combine the neem ingredient with shea butter, which may help lock the moisture in!
Read the full article: 10 Versatile Neem Oil Uses for Home & Health
