Aloe vera grew from an innocent skin care obsession to glam hair discovery for celebrity stylist Gabrielle Corney.
It all started when she began using the plant on her face and would sometimes accidentally get it in her hair. After a while, she noticed that her hair was healthier, softer, fuller and that the gel didn’t leave any residue. From then, she was hooked and sharing her success story with clients.
Since she swears by this grocery store item, we asked her to give us the inside scoop on its benefits and best practices for incorporating it into a routine.
THE BENEFITS
There are a myriad of natural remedies that a single aloe vera plant can produce, but according to Corney, “it specifically can help our edges because the gel’s enzymes can rid the scalp of dead cells and promote the regeneration of skin tissue around the hair follicles.”
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Aloe vera totes nourishing properties and tons of vitamins and minerals that keep hair healthy and strong. It’s also an adaptogen, or a substance that naturally boosts the body’s ability to adapt to external changes. This means the scalp can more easily resist harsh weather conditions and recover from aggressive styling around the hairline.
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Aloe vera plants are also readily available at your local health or food store. However, be sure to pick a plant that is healthy in appearance.
“A telltale sign of a healthy aloe vera plant is its color. Look for a plant that is ‘Kermit the Frog’ green and try not to get a plant that has too many bumps and bruises.”
THE PROCESS
Corney suggests this easy 5-step process for applying aloe vera to your edges:
- Trim off the prickly sides of the plant, so that they don’t harm you or your edges.
- Horizontally, cut off a about 2″ section of the plant
- Using the 2″ portion, open the plant so that you see the gel-like substance in the middle.
- Gently massage the gel into your hairline working in circular motions from ear to ear
- Repeat this routine both morning and night to see results
For a more detailed step by step, you can also follow this video tutorial:
PATIENCE IS KEY
If you are looking for a quick fix for your edges, you certainly won’t get it from the aloe vera plant! Corney shares that the “timeline for progress varies for person to person, but for best results, be sure to use the aloe vera gel morning and night for about 90 days.”
As with anything, consistent application is critical for success, so be patient, consistent and love your hair through the process!