The Cactus is a small, spiny succulent that is native to South Africa and the southern tip of Australia.
The cactus typically grows about 3-4 inches in height and 1-2 inches wide, and can therefore be considered a dwarf planet.
In addition to the many varieties found in the wild, cacti are also available through mail orders and over the internet. There is a misconception that cacti are poisonous, but this is not true.
People from all demographics tend to buy them to cultivate a better aesthetic for their living spaces.
It’s no surprise many people wish to keep them in their homes due to their notable characteristics.
Besides being aesthetically pleasing, cactus plants don’t require a lot of input from their caretakers. Cactus plants are ideal for generally busy people who want a touch of nature in their homes.
Besides being convenient and aesthetically pleasing, cactus plants also have many health benefits. Many scientists are looking into whether some of the features of cactus plants can be adopted by humans via ingestion. Diet fanatics are also looking into cactus plants as a superfood.
Cactus plants are easy to cook and accessible due to their sheer volume. However, whether or not cacti can be termed a superfood is still up for debate. Similarly, some people wonder if cactus plants can be good for hair growth.
In this article, we’ll look at all things that set cactus plants apart and whether they can be good for hair growth.
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How to Use Cactus/Cactus Oil for Hair Growth?
If you’re looking to reap the benefits of cactus, it’s best to start from a place of knowledge. If you’re unsure about using cactus on your hair (or if you have sensitive skin and are worried about allergies), consult with a dermatologist before putting anything near your head.
Once you’ve gotten the go-ahead from your doctor, here are some ways to incorporate cactus into your beauty routine:
- Look for prickly pear oil as a component in goods. Most natural or organic cosmetic products will include this oil in their ingredient list; if not, they will be able to indicate what sort of plant was used while distilling it down into an essential oil! Some manufacturers even use the fruit in their formulae. However, be sure you are not allergic by patch-testing before applying directly to your skin where it may come into touch with open wounds and lead to infections.
- Sun Potion’s “Cactus Hair Mask” contains prickly pear extract, which has been demonstrated in trials at the University of California Los Angeles School Medicine Center For Prevention Research to be useful for treating alopecia (hair loss). According to a 2010 study published online at PubMed Central – National Library Of Medicine, it may also help strengthen brittle nails when taken topically, depending on the severity degree experienced by individual users.
It’s important to note that many people have thought about using cactus plants and cactus oil for better growth.
Much research is underway to see how cactus can create a better environment for developing keratin molecules in the skin and nails.
However, how cactus helps hair growth has little to do with proteins. Instead, it has more to do with the cactus plant’s moisture-retaining capability.
Many people have tried adding Aloe Vera into the mix, and many people feel that the plant does them wonder as a succulent.
Cactus plants are also juicy similar to Aloe Vera. Due to these properties, you can use cactus plants to achieve better hair growth.
You can prepare cactus plants in many ways and use them as a hair mask. The extrication of oil from a cactus plant may take some time.
Still, it’s easier and more resource-friendly for many to simply access a cactus plant, cut it up, and use the pulp as a conditioner for their hair.
We have listed some of the steps you would have to take to use the cactus plant to best benefit your hair.
Choose the Best Leaf
If you have a homegrown cactus plant, choose the best pad for your hair mask. Find one that’s large with enough surface area. You want a pad that’s green all over and not too tender. Pick one with more resistance.
Prepare the Cactus
Firstly, you have to ensure you have some protective gloves on. Wash your leaf with cold water. Then, remove the spines and needles from it. After this step, you can cut it open and extricate all the meat from it.
You have to work on creating a foam-like texture before collecting all the juice from it. You can even cut up the flesh from a cactus and blend it up so you can collect it over time.
Make a Mask
Once you have the cactus extract and the mask, all you need to do is start using it. You can use the cactus extract in its raw form or add it to a mask with other herbs and plant extracts.
Use that mask in your hair, and see how the moisture returns to your hair.
In naturally kinky hair, cactus extract can do wonders. Generally, kinky hair must dry out more soon.
Thus, to maintain the moisture, you could use cactus extract and some shea butter or coconut oil to pack in the moisture.
Use Cactus Oil
You can get cactus oil at any one of your local stores. If you can’t find cactus oil, extract it from cactus seeds.
However, this process will likely cost you a lot of time and effort. Thus, the simplest thing you can do would be to use the cactus oil from your local grocery shop instead.
You can use cactus oil to massage your scalp and the ends of your hair. If you have a more significant amount of cactus oil available to you, apply it to your hair generously and wait for the results.
Ingest Cactus
Some people also believe that ingesting cactus extract or the flesh can help them grow beautiful hair.
Many people find that eating aloe vera helps them maintain shinier hair and nails. Since it’s a succulent like Aloe Vera, cactus can similarly benefit your hair and skin.
What Are the Benefits of Cactus Oil for Hair?
Cactus oil has many benefits for cactus growth. Cactus is a plant with a lot of moisture, but it also has a lot of wax and oils. Thus, cactus oil can be good for hair health. Cactus oil is extracted by cold pressing the seeds.
The process isn’t carried out too often since it’s time and resource-consuming. Generally, one liter of cactus oil requires you to have around eight tones of nopal fruit.
The benefits are as follows:
It’s Got Fatty Acids
Cactus oil has many fatty acids, which are excellent in preventing hair loss. Cactus oil can be beneficial for fatty acids in two ways.
It can promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. The content of fatty acids in the cactus oil help with hair loss. You are unlikely to lose your hair when you’re working with cactus oil.
There are also many vitamins and minerals in cactus oil that promote hair growth. These vitamins and minerals can help to encourage healthier skins, nails, and hair.
These vitamins and minerals work at the root of the hair, going to the depths of the hair follicles and making your hair more robust from the base to the tip.
It’s Common
We know that argan oil is now being used by many hair and skincare companies. However, there have been multiple questions regarding the ethical farming of Argan oil seeds.
The argan plant is difficult to grow and is not reasonably as expected. When you compare argan oil and cactus oil, we find that the cactus plant is more common.
Thus, it may serve as a better, more ethical option.
It Has High Levels of Vitamin E
We know that the presence of Vitamin E makes cactus oil much more nourishing for the cactus plant.
Vitamin E acetate is all the rage in the beauty and wellness industry. Vitamin E has been proven good for your hair, skin, and nails.
Cactus oil has Vitamin E in massive proportions, making it beneficial for your exterior.
It’s Not Greasy
More than 60% of cactus oil is composed of linoleic acid, which can penetrate your scalp and skin to build pockets of moisture in it.
Your hair will feel healthy and well-moisturized, so you don’t have to worry about any itchiness or flakiness in your scalp.
The linoleic acid also ensures that your scalp isn’t greasy. Sometimes, oils like coconut oil and argan oil can leave greasiness and a lousy odor.
However, the linoleic acid in the cactus oil ensures rapid absorption that doesn’t leave any residue that may stay in your hair. Instead, you would know the presence of natural oil produced over time by your hair.
It can also balance out the overproduction of sebum that may exist due to your hair constantly being washed and treated with chemicals.
If you’re continually using shampoos with sulfates in them, adding cactus oil to your hair care could make you feel better.
Moisturizes the Scalp
Cactus oil is a rich source of vitamin E, which helps to hydrate and nourish the scalp. This ingredient can also prevent dryness, itchiness, and irritation.
As a result of this moisturizing effect, the cactus plant is known for its benefits in treating dandruff and other scalp conditions that can cause hair loss.
The high levels of essential fatty acids found in cactus oil have been shown to help strengthen hair follicles by keeping them supple and flexible.
In turn, this makes your strands stronger so they don’t break as easily when you brush or style them (you should still use care when using any heat on your locks).
A softer texture means there’s less friction between individual hairs at their tips—which means less breakage overall!
Strengthens Hair Roots
The hair follicles and the roots of your strands are what give your hair its strength. If you have damaged or weak roots, your hair will look brittle, dry, and dull.
It’s important to keep both your scalp and follicles clean so that they can produce healthy new hair that is not weighed down by dead cells or other impurities.
This is why it’s essential to shampoo regularly (at least once per week) with a gentle shampoo that won’t strip away too many nutrients from the scalp or damage the skin’s natural oils.
Cactus oil can work as a deep conditioner as it can be effective against both dry ends as well as flaky patches on the scalp.
Dandruff builds up over time due to dryness in winter months when central heating systems are on full blast indoors.
Nourishes the Hair Follicles
Cactus oil is a natural moisturizer that nourishes the hair follicle and scalp. Fatty acids in cactus oil are easily absorbed by the skin, making it an effective moisturizer for both dry and oily hair.
Cactus oil does not leave your hair feeling greasy or weighed down, but helps to condition and strengthen the strands instead.
Cactus oil can be used on its own as a pre-shampoo treatment or added to other products like shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, or styling products.
If you have dry hair you may want to add cactus oil into your regular conditioning routine after shampooing, while those with oily scalps may want to apply cactus prior to washing their scalp as an intensive treatment once per week.
Treats Dandruff and Reduces Flaking
Cactus oil is a good treatment for dandruff and flaking. Cactus oil is an anti-inflammatory, which means that it can reduce inflammation on the scalp. This helps to soothe the scalp, making it more comfortable to touch and less prone to itching.
In addition, cactus oil contains fatty acids and antioxidants that work together to nourish your hair while making it shinier and softer.
The fatty acids are also responsible for moisturizing your scalp, which helps prevent dryness or irritation that can lead to itchiness or dandruff (more info).
Boosts Hair Growth and Balances Hair Loss
Apply omega fatty acids to your hair as it promotes hair growth. These fatty acids ensure your hair growth is on a cycle and don’t fall too often.
They let your hair grow without any period of stagnation. They also make you feel like you have it together, and you’re in control of your hair journey.
Omega 6, also often called Linoleic acid, is a regenerative agent in cactus plants. It provides an environment for your hair that is conducive to its growth.
Omega-3 fatty acids – Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for healthy skin as well as for normal growth of cells throughout the body including those that make up our hair follicles (the small sacs where new hairs grow).
Studies show that diets high in omega-3 fatty acids may improve scalp circulation which promotes faster hair growth by increasing blood flow through these follicles.* lysine – This amino acid can help with an overactive immune system by suppressing histamines which cause inflammation.* ricinoleic acid – Studies show this compound helps prevent dandruff when applied topically directly onto affected areas
Moisturizes the Scalp and Hair Follicles
Cactus has beneficial water retention capabilities, and the prickly pear is the most active ingredient here.
If you want your hair to be bouncy and beautiful, maintain its moisture level. One way to keep the moisture is to ensure you use cactus for some of that retention.
Prickly pear cactus oil provides a sufficient protective coating, due to which hair damage is not likely to happen.
Cactus can handle harsh environmental conditions even when they don’t have a lot of water available to them due to the presence of vitamins like Vitamin B5.
When you apply this cactus oil to your hair, the moisture gets locked in and helps recover split ends and frizzy follicles.
Can I Leave Cactus in my Hair Overnight?
You can leave cactus in your hair overnight. Generally, people tend to mix cactus in a hair mask and keep it in overnight. The longer you keep the mask or the cactus in your hair, your hair will be better moisturized.
The general recommendation is to keep the cactus in your hair for at least two hours before washing it off.
However, if you have the time and you’re not afraid of being too uncomfortable at night, you can keep the cactus oil or the cactus extract mask in your hair overnight and let it soak into your scalp.
You can then wake up in the morning, take a shower, and wash it off. People think that keeping cactus in their hair for so long can negatively affect the balance in your hair.
However, that’s not the case. You’ll end up feeling like your hair got even more moisturized.
Best Homemade Cactus Oil
Now that we know a fair bit about the benefits of cactus extract and cactus oil, you might wonder, “Can cactus oil be made at home?” The answer is yes. You can make cactus oil at home.
However, it’s a long process. You can make cactus oil at home in two primary ways. You can either make it by hand or use a blender or an electric mixer for the cactus oil.
Cactus Oil By Hand
- You have to get a few pads of Cactus. Once you have them, you have to wash them off. Wash them, and then take your time removing the needles from the areoles. Wear protective gloves when working with the cactus to avoid hurting yourself. Once you have done this, run the pads underwater, set them out in a tray, and let them dry outside.
- You can let the cactus pads dry out ultimately before you bring them in and chop them up.
- Once the pieces are all chopped up, you have to apply pressure on each one of them until an oil-like substance appears. You will collect this substance in a separate bowl. Repeat the process until all the oil is collected.
Cactus Oil by Blender/Mixer
- Gather cactus leaves and wash them thoroughly. You want to remove all the spines and needles, making sure you’re safe in the meantime.
- Cut the middle, and scrape out all the juices and flesh from the inside.
- Take the remaining pieces and place them in a blender. Chop them up finely, then place the pieces in cheesecloth to extract the juices. Once the fluids are collected, you can put them in a refrigerator. The oil will separate on top, and you can order it.
Final Thoughts
Cactus oil can be highly beneficial to your hair, skin, and nails. You should ensure you do your research before adding it to your routine.
Cactus plants have beautiful attributes that make them suitable for your hair. They help retain moisture and give your hair a shiny glow. We hope this article answers some of the questions you may have had.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Cactus is Good for Hair Growth?
Several researchers have reported that the Cereus Grandiflorus (Cactus) Flower extract is effective for treating hair loss issues, as it is an effective remedy for the treatment of hair loss.
Cactus vs Aloe Vera for Hair
Aloe vera contains 85 percent water, 65 percent of sugars, and 50 percent the proteins of cactus, making it a highly useful ingredient in the skincare and hair care industries.
What does cactus do to your hair?
Cacti are a great source of vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, phosphorus, and vitamin B6. The cactus fruit (or pads) contains fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids.
Cacti are very good for your hair because they cleanse and strengthen your scalp. They remove excess oil from your hair and stimulate blood flow to the roots.