This article was co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang. Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.
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Vitamin E is a naturally occurring vitamin with antioxidant properties.[1] It is secreted onto the surface of the skin and functions to promote healthy skin and hair. It is normally a part of sebum, the natural oil that is secreted by glandular cells in the skin. Vitamin E may provide a number of benefits to the skin including removing damaging substances from the skin and scalp, absorbing UV radiation from the sun and preventing sunburn, promoting healthy hair growth, slowing down hair loss, and reducing greying hair.[2] You can use vitamin E oil in place of your normal conditioner, use it to give yourself a deep conditioning treatment, or just apply it to split ends.
Steps
Preparing to Use Vitamin E Oil
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1Choose a natural form of vitamin E oil. Your body can more easily absorb and utilize natural forms of vitamin E. The synthetic version of vitamin E is called alpha-tocopherol acetate. This form may react with some beauty products, so it is best to choose a natural form of vitamin E oil, which you can find in a health food store, the vitamin aisle of a well-stocked grocery store, or online. Some food grade oils contain vitamin E as well, such as wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, and almond oil.[3]
- Look on the packaging for d-alpha tocopherol, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, or d-alpha tocopheryl succinate.
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2Test the oil on your skin before using. Some people are sensitive to vitamin E oil, so it is a good idea to test a little on your skin before using it on your hair. You can also develop a sensitivity to vitamin E oil over time, so pay attention to how the skin on your scalp looks and feels after a few days of using vitamin E oil.[4]
- To test the oil, apply 1-2 drops to the inside of your wrist and then massage it in. Wait 24 hours and then check your wrist to see how it looks. If there is any redness, dryness, itching or swelling, do not use the oil. If the area looks and feels normal, then you can use the oil.
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3Consider taking a vitamin E supplement to promote hair growth. A very small study showed Vitamin E may be effective at promoting hair growth when taken as an oral supplement. Try taking two 50 mg capsules of vitamin E oil daily after eating a meal.[5] For example, you could take one capsule after breakfast and the other one after dinner.
- As with any supplement, make sure that you check with your doctor first.
- Incorporate additional natural sources of vitamin E into your diet, too. Try nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, and plant oils, especially wheat germ and sunflower seed oil.
- You will get more vitamins from eating foods that are naturally high in vitamin E than taking a supplement.
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4Consider adding vitamin C. Vitamins E and C go well together because, in tandem, they are more effective at protecting hair and skin from damaging ultraviolet radiation. If you're taking topical vitamin E, you should take topical vitamin C. Similarly, if you take oral vitamin E, you should take oral vitamin C. These two will be more effective than either on their own.
Conditioning Your Hair with Vitamin E Oil
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1Use a small amount. Oil goes a long way, so it is not necessary to use much. Start with a quarter-sized amount and then add a little more if necessary. You may need more or less depending on the length and thickness of your hair.[6]EXPERT TIPNdeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.Professional Hair Stylist
Ndeye Anta Niang
Professional Hair StylistOur Expert Agrees: Vitamin E hot oil treatments can help prevent your hair from getting split ends. However, don't overdo it—you just need enough to lightly coat your hair. If you saturate your hair with the oil, the excess will just sit on top of your hair and clog your pores.
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2Apply vitamin E oil like conditioner. You can use Vitamin E oil in place of your daily conditioner to keep your hair soft and manageable. Shampoo your hair and rinse well, then wring out the excess water from your hair. Then, pour a quarter-sized amount of Vitamin E oil into the palm of your hand. The oil is typically thick and greasy.
- Mix a few drops of vitamin E into regular conditioner or buy a premixed conditioner.
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3Use your fingertips to massage the oil into your scalp. You can apply the oil directly to your scalp and begin working it into the roots of your hair with your fingertips. Use gentle circular motions to work the vitamin E oil into your scalp.
- Vitamin E can be absorbed through your skin and it may even be a more effective means of delivering the vitamin into your cells.[7]
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4Wrap your head in a warm, moist cotton towel. If you want to give yourself a deep conditioning treatment, then you can wrap a warm moist, cotton towel around your head and leave it on for up to an hour. The heat will help to increase the absorption of vitamin E into your hair and scalp.
- To make a towel warm and moist, fill your sink or a large bowl with hot water and dip the towel into it. Then wring out the excess water and wrap the towel around your head.
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5Rinse out the vitamin E oil. When you are ready, remove the towel from your head (if using). Then, rinse the vitamin E oil out of your hair with warm water. Dry your hair and style as usual.
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6Treat split ends with vitamin E oil. You can also use vitamin E oil as a spot treatment for split ends. To use vitamin E oil to repair split ends, pour out a quarter-sized amount of vitamin E oil into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together then take the ends of your hair between your hands, working the vitamin E oil into the ends. Leave the oil on your hair and style as usual.[8]
- You can use this treatment on wet or dry hair.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan vitamin E be applied directly on hair?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistYes, you can use vitamin E directly on your strands, but keep it minimal. A little goes a long way.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionHow does vitamin E help your hair?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistVitamin E helps your hair grow and protects it from the sun. It also helps keep your scalp healthy.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionWhat can you do with vitamin E oil?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistYou can take it as a supplement or you can apply it topically. Try mixing a few drops in your conditioner.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Warnings
- If you have any skin condition, including eczema, psoriasis or acne, consult with your physician or dermatologist before using vitamin E.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Keep in mind that oil can permanently stain your clothes, so be cautious when you are using vitamin E oil on dry hair. Make sure that you wipe off any excess oil to prevent it from dripping onto your clothes. You may also want to wrap a towel around your neck and shoulders to protect your clothes.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
- ↑ http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health/nutrient-index/vitamin-E
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
- ↑ https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/730097_4
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/olive-oil-for-hair
- ↑ http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health/nutrient-index/vitamin-E
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
About This Article
Before you use vitamin E oil for your hair, buy a natural form of vitamin E online or from a health food store and test a little of it on your skin. When you’re sure you don’t have a sensitivity to the vitamin E oil, use it in place of your conditioner when your wash your hair. Just put a quarter-sized amount of it in your hand, and use your fingertips to massage the oil into your scalp. Then, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water before you dry and style your hair as usual. To learn from our Medical reviewer how to use vitamin E oil to spot treat your split ends, read on!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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