Grapeseed Oil for Natural Hair Growth, Benefits , how to use & Results

How good is grapeseed oil for hair growth? Does it reduce hair loss? How is it used to grow natural hair? What is it in this oil that makes it a beneficial treatment for natural hair? Read on to learn more in addition to user reviews and tips that will help you get the best results out of this oil.

Grape seed Oil for Hair

What is grapeseed and how is it made?

Grapeseed oil is the oil that is expressed from the seeds of the grape fruits of the plant Vitis vinifera hence also referred to as Vitis vinifera oil. This is a species of grape that is widely cultivated in temperate areas such as Asia, Africa and Europe.

Hydrogenation reduces Grape seed oil from its natural polyunsaturated to a more saturated state. Playing with its charge by formation of a salt such as its sodium salt yields sodium grapseedate as you might have observed on some soap labels. Apart from being used in the industrial preparation of soap and detergents, it is also utilized in cuticle softeners, hair care products and make-up products.

Grape seed oil may be produced either from the seeds that occurs as by-products or wastes in wine making or more healthier, naturally from fresh seeds through cold expression or expeller-pressed methods. The reason the by-product seeds may be less healthy is due to the chemical process and fermentation the seeds may have undergone while in the process of wine brewing. In the factories, the oil is expressed by heating making it lose some of its nutrients and to add, some chemical solvents such as hexane which are toxic are used.

What properties of grape seed make it suitable for hair?

Vitamins

Grape seeds have been found to contain abundant vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and fatty acids. However, most of the nutrients that are purportedly in Grape seed have been destroyed from the chemical process it undergoes in extraction and processing.

proanthocyanidins(PAs)

According to Nakamura Y., Tsuji S., and Tonogai Y., (2002)[1] on their analysis of proanthocyanidins(PAs) in grapeseed extracts, health foods and grapeseed oils, no proanthocyanidins were detected in grape seed oil. Also known as condensed tannins, Pas are very powerful antioxidants that help remove harmful free oxygen radicals from cells

It is worthwhile realizing that it is these procyanidins that promote the hair epithelial cell growth and stimulate anagen phase induction (Kamimura A. & Takahashi T., 2002)[2].

As it to add salt to wound, Grapeseed oil has been shown by Moret, S., Dudine, A. and Conte, L.S., (2000)[3] to contain dangerous levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) during the drying process involving direct contact with combustion gases. Oil before drying was also shown to contain high amounts of PAH.

It is however true that the fatty acid composition of grape oil is more polyunsaturated with a 70% share, monounsaturated 16% and saturated, 10%. Processed Grapeseed oil has some vitamin E to the tune of 3.9 mg in 15 mL which happens to be 19% that the RDA[4].

So it is very evident that Grapeseed oil is not suitable for oral consumption. It has however been shown by hearsay and some studies that Grapeseed oil is good for moisturizing the hair and can be used well in massaging the scalp for its beneficial properties. One Japanese study [5] showed that when mice were treated with Grapeseed oil on the scalp, there was observable hair growth.

This is due to:

1. Vitamin E which acts as an anti-oxidant. It therefore prevent the harmful effect of radicals produced from inflamed cells and some hair product chemicals. It also promotes blood circulation to the scalp’s dermal papillae
2. Richness in linoleic acid allows for a proper barrier function of the skin of the scalp. Research has demonstrated that when applied to the skin, this fatty acid can help combat dryness by providingprotection against moisture loss[6]  The presence of omega3, 6 and 9 reflect the damaging UV rays hence preventing dryness of the skin and hair. Oleic acid has been found to promote the transport of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into the skin by softening the horny layer. This allows the scalp to benefit from the beneficial properties of the oil.
3. Fair consistency somewhere between jojoba and olive oil. Thus provides an alternative to the two. This makes it easy to apply directly on hair.
4. It is odorless hence can be used alone without having to mix it with essential oil for the fragrance.

How does it work to maintain healthy and natural hair?

The vitamin E in it allows proper circulation of blood to the scalp. This cleans the blood vessels that may be damaged and again ramifies the cells of the scalp with nutrients and oxygen for proper growth of follicles. It helps tone the hair follicles too.

By making the hair and scalp oilier, it acts as a sealant preventing drying and flakiness. This also protects the hair from dry brittleness and improves shine.

The presence of oleic acid allows softening of the horny layer and proper absorption of other beneficial oil.

Benefits of Grapeseed oil for Hair-Is Grapeseed Oil good for Hair?

Reduces hair loss

The amounts of vitamin E in the oil can go a long way to playing an effective anti-oxidant. This may as well block play of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is responsible for androgenetic alopecia.

Promotes faster hair growth

This is due to the presence of vitamin E, minerals and the fatty acids that nourish the scalp.

Moisturizing and sealant effect

The oil prevents loss of moisture and therefore reduces thinning and weakened ends. It is lighter than olive or coconut oil and would therefore be good for moisturizing.

Fights Dandruff 

By acting as a sealant and potent moisturizer, this oil reduces and prevents further flakiness as in dandruff. The itch is also alleviated.

Increases the shine in your hair

This is achieved mostly when you use warmed or hot Grape seed oil on your hair follicles. This is short-lived as when you wash it off, the hair might be as dull as before. Rubbing it into the scalp to support the sebaceous glands improves the shine.

How to use Grape seed Oil for Hair Growth & Loss

Using it for hair growth

It is advisable that you mix Grape seed oil with other oils with more nutrients to benefit most.

1. If you are using Grape seed oil alone, pre-heat it to lukewarm. Warm the mixture more preferably by immersing your container in a hot water bath. Make a hot water bath by adding hot water to your sink, plugging it and dipping your flask of oil for 5 minutes.
2. Now massage the oil gently into your scalp by dividing your hair into parts.
3. Rub on your hair follicles as well especially the lower half.
4. Keep the oil unwashed off for around 30 minutes or an hour then wash with shampoo. You could also keep it on overnight with your hair covered in satin.
5. Repeat this treatment daily or even at least twice a week for best results.

How to use it for hair loss

To use it for hair loss follow these steps;

• You could heat two tablespoons of Grapeseed oil in a water bath as above. Mix it with other oils in the proportions too.
• Then apply to your palms and use your fingertips to massage into your scalp.
• Comb it with a brush to spread it to your hair lines

A mask would be more appropriate for reparative use. This is done as follows;

1. Mix your grapeseed oil with egg white and lemon oil
2. Apply onto your palm and with your hair divided into parts, massage and rub into the scalp.
3. Then brush your hair follicles to spread it further to the ends and hair lines
4. Do this at night so that you leave it overnight.
5. Wash in the morning then dry with a towel by patting
6. Repeat this daily for a month then monitor
7. Your scalp will be moisturized and hair loss upon scratching due to irritation or infection will be reduced[7].

Other ways to use to for natural and healthy hair

Add 4 – 5 tablespoons of Grape seed oil to 2 – 3 teaspoons of an oil of choice. This may be lavender, rosemary, jojoba or even thyme oils. With jojoba oil adding equal parts of each will also be okay. Try lemon oil too for shinier, healthier and longer hair. You could also mix an essential oil with Grape seed in the ration of 1:3.

Then follow the steps thereafter for application for either dry, dandruff-laden scalp and for the desired thickness, length, strength and shine.

Make sure that you store your oil or oil mixture in a cool and dark place or in a dark bottle for longevity.

Tips & Ideas to find the best Grape Seed Oil

To choose the best brand of grape seed oil:

1. Get a list of the different brands available in your area
2. Study them by researching online and get their reviews
3. Compare the beneficial components of pure almond oil and that of the brand
4. Once you have chosen the brands to look at, check that their websites claims match that on the labels
5. Choose the pure grapeseed oil without additives unless you are interested in the additive
6. Make sure that you test the oil on the inner wrist of your arm to check for any allergies
7. Advice: add grapeseed to a couple of other oils for the best results.

Grapeseed Oil for Hair Growth Results, Brand Reviews- Before and After Pictures

Top Brands

Some of the popular brands of grapeseed oil include

• Now Foods Grape Seed Oil by Now Foods
• Grapeseed Oil – 100% Pure – 100ml by Naissance
• Pure Grapeseed Oil for Hair and Skin – 100% Organic, Cold Pressed by Lux
• Life-Flo Organic Pure Grapeseed Oil
• Napa Valley Grapeseed Oil

Before and after Results Picture

Reviews and User Rating

Basing on numbers on online store like amazon, Now Foods grape seed is the most reviewed followed by Naissance. According to the reviews, most users that grape seed oil works.

Of course there are those that it has not worked for but the number is minimal.
Below are more reviews and results from vloggers

This first review of grapeseed oil is by vblogger healthy hair zone. She has new found love for grapeseed oil and the particular brand is Unrefined Grapeola.According to this review, the oil in its most pure form (unrefined or unprocessed) is the most beneficial. That is in comparisson with the refined forms.

This second video review is by leniGirly. Enjoy

Sources

[1] Nakamura Y., Tsuji S., and Tonogai Y., (2003), Analysis of proanthocyanidins in grape seed extracts, health foods and grape seed oils, Journal of Health Science, 49(1), 45 – 54

[2] Kamimura A., Takahashi T., (2002), Procyanidin B-2, extracted from apples, promotes hair growth: a laboratory study, British Journal of Dermatology, 146(1): 41 – 51

[3] Moret, S., Dudine, A. & Conte, L.S. J Amer Oil Chem Soc (2000) 77: 1289. doi:10.1007/s11746-000-0203-5

[4] http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/579/2

[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10084307

[6] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1976.tb07012.x/abstract

[7] http://vkool.com/grapeseed-oil-for-hair/3