Petroleum jelly is a mixture of natural waxes and mineral oil. We know it by the common and brand name, Vaseline. Petroleum jelly has so many beauty benefits and uses, both for your skin and hair. For example, you can use it for dry skin, improve nail health, and stimulate hair growth.
So, it is easy to answer the question is Vaseline good for your hair. What we will address today are all the ways you can use Vaseline for your hair.
The best part about Vaseline petroleum jelly is you can find it in most households. This cheap product contains a high amount of natural waxes and mineral oils. They create a protective covering on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping. And they do the same for your hair as well.
Read on to find out how to use Vaseline for hair.
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What Makes Vaseline So Good?
We said Vaseline is good for your hair. But exactly how it helps your hair and skin? Well, Vaseline contains mineral oils, petroleum oils, and natural waxes. These create a protective covering that keeps the moisture in.
Robert Augustus Chesebrough discovered petroleum jelly in 1859. He noticed that oil workers often used gooey jelly to heal their wounds and burns. He eventually packed it as Vaseline. And the mixture hasn’t changed much since then.
The main ingredient is petroleum, an oil that helps seal your skin and hair with a water-protective barrier. It helps your hair heal and retain moisture.
Does It Really Help Your Hair Grow?
We have to talk a bit about one of the most popular uses of Vaseline. Does Vaseline help your hair grow? Well, before we answer that, we have to mention that your hair grows around six inches per year. But some people do not want to wait that long. They want to speed up the process.
The theory about Vaseline is simple. While it doesn’t have moisturizing properties, the protective layer helps your hair lock in and retain moisture. That prevents damage and breakage.
We cannot say there is a scientific study that proves this claim. But you can try it. A lot of people swear by the Vaseline benefits.
How To Use Vaseline For Your Hair?
We talked about the benefits of petroleum jelly for your hair. But let’s talk more about how to use it. There are some potential risks you need to know about. And as with any other ingredient, if you do not use it right, you risk side effects.
With that in mind, there are a couple of ways to use Vaseline on your hair. It all depends on what you want to achieve in the end. If you haven’t used Vaseline before, we recommend trying a patch test. Apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area of skin and watch for any signs of irritation. If there is no irritation or allergic reaction for 24 hours, you can use it.
Let’s see what you can use Vaseline for.
Improve Hair Health
No research supports any of these claims. But you can read a lot. And we can say it definitely helps.
Put a tiny amount of Vaseline on your finger. Gently massage it into your scalp. Repeat the process once per week.
Apply a smaller amount onto the ends to prevent damage. Applying this hair mask will make your hair look healthier and more beautiful.
You can apply the mask for a few hours, or leave it overnight.
Vaseline Against Dandruff
The biggest cause of dandruff is dry scalp. And we mentioned how Vaseline helps lock in moisture. So, it seems like this is a match made in heaven.
To combat flakiness in your hair, simply massage a small amount of Vaseline into your scalp. Rinse with shampoo afterward.
Vaseline For Hair Growth
One of the most common uses of Vaseline is for hair growth. Some people want to speed up the process. And Vaseline definitely adds a couple of inches to your hair.
For this treatment, massage the hair strands with petroleum jelly once per week. Leave it for a short period. Wash it off.
This hair mask will prevent moisture loss, improve blood circulation, and your overall hair health. All those combined results in accelerated hair growth.
Style Your Hair
When you run out of hair products, you can use Vaseline instead. Just add some product to your fingers and palms, and then run it through the hair to apply Vaseline.
Move it into place and style it as you usually do.
Manage Split Ends
You can prevent hair damage, split ends, frizzy hair, and so on. For this purpose, you can apply just a tiny amount to the hair ends. Lightly dip your finger to get the product on your fingers, and then dab on any frizzy hair and flyaways.
This treatment will also add some shine to your hair. During humid weather, this method will come in handy when it is harder to contain and control frizz.
Lock In Moisture
For this treatment, you need just a pea-sized amount of Vaseline onto your finger. Rub it into the roots of your hair, and then smooth it down the length of your hair. Once you reach your tips, you can cover your hair with a towel or wrap. Leave the product to stay for a few hours or overnight and you will easily get rid of dry hair.
If you have long or thick hair, add a bit more Vaseline. Repeat the treatment weekly to keep your hair moisturized.
Vaseline For Lice Treatment
Did you know you can treat lice with Vaseline? Apply petroleum jelly and then cover your head with a shower cap. Leave it overnight and then wash with shampoo and conditioner.
Prevent Dye Stains
Dying your hair can turn into a complete mess. But Vaseline can help you a bit. If you want to prevent staining, apply petroleum jelly around the hairline, behind the ears, and anywhere you want to avoid dye stains.
How To Get Vaseline Out Of Your Hair?
A lot of people avoid using petroleum jelly because they are afraid they cannot get it out of their hair afterward. But do not worry, there are a couple of ways to solve excess Vaseline. Here are the three most common ones.
Use a clarifying shampoo to remove traces of petroleum jelly from your hair and scalp. After using a clarifying shampoo, follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner.
If you do not have a clarifying shampoo, you can use a common household ingredient, baking soda. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with regular shampoo and you can use it to remove Vaseline.
Last, but not least, you can use activated charcoal powder. Same as baking soda, mix charcoal with shampoo and use it to remove jelly from your hair.
