Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: The secret of thick and long Indian hair
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: For those looking to lengthen and strengthen their strands, there seems to be endless natural options to choose from. From oils like cedarwood oil and jojoba oil, to castor oil and rice water, we have options aplenty. So it’s difficult to navigate what’s really best for you.
Stay with this section of skin and hair care in the health and beauty section of Eternal Pen magazine.
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair
Right now, the buzzy hair-care ingredient in hair for healthy hair is amla powder. According to Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair, “amla powder is derived from the dried, ground fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree,” he says. “And this natural ingredient is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.” Although it may be new to your hair-care vocabulary, it has a long track record of success. “Traditionally, amla powder has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to improve the health of the body, skin, and hair, ” says celebrity colorist Sharon Dorram-Krause. “Thanks to its high amounts of vitamin C, tannins, phosphorus, iron, and calcium, amla powder has a number of potential benefits for the hair and scalp.”
Read on to have a comprehensive look at what amla powder can do for your hair—and scalp—plus exactly how to use it to reach your hair goals right now.
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: “Amla powder is known for its high vitamin C content, which can strengthen hair follicles and promote hair growth,” says Izquierdo. “It also contains essential fatty acids that nourish and condition the hair, helping to add volume and shine.”
Dorram-Krause explains that the high levels of essential fatty acids “can also help strengthen hair follicles, making the hair stronger and less prone to breakage,” she says.
Over time, she says this may help reduce hair loss and protect color from premature fading. “The tannins in amla powder, which are plant-based polyphenols, can also provide the hair with some protection against external damage from heat and UV rays,” she adds.
Benefits of Amla Powder for Scalp
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: Dorram-Krause points out that amla powder’s phytonutrient content that makes it stand out for the scalp. “The phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals in amla powder—particularly vitamins E and C, which support healthy circulation and cell regeneration—can help increase blood flow to the scalp, thereby stimulating hair growth,” she says. Another plus of amla powder for the scalp is that it can calm common scalp concerns, too.
“When used on the scalp, amla powder can improve scalp health by reducing inflammation,” says Izquierdo. It’s also a stellar scalp-centric mask. “When used as a hair mask, amla powder acts as a scalp exfoliator, helping remove dead skin cells and promoting a healthier scalp environment,” says Dorram-Krause.
How to Use Amla Powder for Hair and Scalp
Preparation
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: When using pure amla powder (which can be purchased online or at natural market), you will have to do some DIY. “In order to apply amla powder to the hair and scalp, you need to make it into a paste,” says Dorram-Krause. First, mix one tablespoon of amla powder with about four to five tablespoons of a base ingredient, such as an oil (like coconut oil, sesame oil, or olive oil). Alternatively, you can use water, milk, or henna as your base. “If you are using oil, heat it until slightly until it turns brown and then stir in the amla powder, bringing it to a boil before cooling,” she says. “If you are using milk or water, you can simply stir the amla powder into the liquid until it forms a paste.”
Application
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: “Massage the mixture evenly into your scalp and hair when it’s warm but make sure it’s not hot, so you don’t hurt your scalp or skin,” says Dorram-Krause. “Focus on applying the mixture to cover all of your hair and scalp from roots to ends.”
Frequency and Duration
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: Dorram-Krause recommends applying an amla powder hair mask two to three times per week and leaving it on for about 45 minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly and shampooing and conditioning as normal. If you opt for premade products or masks that contain amla powder, simply follow the instructions on the label for usage.
Potential Risks
Benefits of Amla Powder for Hair: There are a few reasons to potentially avoid using amla powder on your hair. “Some people may experience allergic reactions such as hives or skin irritation, particularly when exposed to UV light after using amla powder,” explains Dorram-Krause, who recommends doing a patch test before applying an amla mask to your hair and scalp.
Additionally, “using too much amla powder could lead to dryness or brittleness in some hair types, so it’s important to follow the recommended usage guidelines and consider mixing amla powder with moisturizing ingredients like oils or conditioners in order to offset its drying effects,” notes Dorram-Krause.
