Cholesterol Hair Treatment – What Is It And What Are Its Benefits?
Restore your dull and weak hair back to life with this simple natural remedy.
Dr. Sravya TipirneniMBBS, MD DVL
Expertise: Dermatology and Cosmetology
Experience: 7 years
Dr. Sravya Chowdary Tipirneni is a consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist with 7 years of experience and practices at Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield, Bengaluru, India. She is a life member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists ... more
Expertise: Hairstyles, Hair Care, & Skin Care
Experience: 7 years
Anjali specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you... more
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There is a new hair treatment on the block that you can give a shot – Cholesterol Hair Treatment. Our hair is made up of protein, fats, and lipids (1). Although proteins like keratin are the lifeline of hair, fats and lipids are equally essential for hair growth and strength. Cholesterol has been studied to understand how it influences hair growth (2). The now-famous cholesterol hair treatment has actually been around for years. This article will discuss about everything this hair treatment and why it is so beneficial to your hair. Scroll down!
In This Article
What Is Cholesterol Hair Treatment?
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Cholesterol is a natural moisturizer and the treatment helps in repairing and restoring moisture to damaged and dehydrated hair. This treatment has been used by American and African communities for decades to restore softness and moisture after repeated styling processes.
How Does Cholesterol Impact Hair Care? Benefits Of Cholesterol
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Cholesterol is a natural emulsifieri XAdditives that help stabilize products containing immiscible liquids and keep them from separating. used in hair products like hair conditioners and shampoos in concentrations of up to 5%(3). Research shows that cholesterol can affect keratinocyte proliferationi XThe multiplication of keratinocytes, primary cells in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, by cell division. and impact hair shaft formation (2).
While there is no sufficient research to show that cholesterol does definitely impact hair growth, some studies show that a change in cholesterol status in hair structure may lead to hair disorders like alopecia and hirsutismi XA condition that causes unwanted male-pattern growth of dark coarse hair on the face, chest, and back in women. (2), (4), (5). Anecdotal evidence suggests that cholesterol can restore hair moisture, strengthen hair follicles, and enhance hair structure. It is also said to repair dryness and brittle hair. Cholesterol is also said to help in retaining moisture in natural hair.
There are several cholesterol hair treatments that help protect and strengthen the hair. They are listed in the following section.
Note: These cholesterol treatments are topical and meant to be washed away and not ingested. Ingesting excess cholesterol can cause serious health damage.
Cholesterol Hair Treatments
1. Cholesterol Hot Oil Treatment
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This treatment is used to restore hair’s natural moisture. The other benefit of cholesterol hot oil treatment is that it brings back the sheen and provides the nourishment required for the hair, making your hair look better and healthier than before. If you use heating tools and chemicals to style your hair frequently, apply this cholesterol hot oil treatment after shampooing your hair. Place a plastic cap over your head for a minute and wash it off. Follow up with your regular conditioner.
Quick Tip2. Homemade Cholesterol Hair Treatment
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One of the oldest forms of cholesterol is mayonnaise. Back in the 1950s, when the heat styling tools were first made public, hair was conditioned with homemade or store-bought mayonnaise. The results of this hair treatment were good as it made the hair soft and shiny and the curls and waves voluminous. However, it did leave the hair smelling like an egg salad! Mayonnaise that is used for cholesterol hair treatment imparts softness, sheen, and luster to the hair with a pleasant fragrance. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove these effects.
Quick Tip3. Cholesterol Deep Conditioning Treatment
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Cholesterol deep conditioning is the most widely used hair treatment by hair professionals. Here’s how to do it. Let the conditioner stay on your hair for 15 minutes. Make sure your hair is covered with a plastic cap. Later, you can wrap your head with a warm towel or sit under a hooded dryer. If your hair is severely damaged, leave the conditioner on for about an hour. While some cholesterol deep conditioning treatments contain olive oil, if you want better results, add a little amount of olive oil. It has been reported that this treatment makes the hair silky and smooth. However, there is no scientific evidence to back this claim.
Infographic: Cholesterol Hair Treatments And Their Benefits
While the cholesterol hair treatment may seem a little different to you, it comes with a lot of benefits. Cholesterol is a common fat found in egg yolk, mayonnaise, and milk, and it can help hydrate and soften the hair. The best part is that all hair types can benefit from this treatment. Check out the infographic below to learn about cholesterol hair treatments and how they promote healthy hair.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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Cholesterol treatment aids in the repair and replenishment of damaged or dry hair. It is meant for external use. Consuming high-cholesterol foods will not produce the same results as applying cholesterol directly to the hair. In fact, if you eat certain meals, your blood cholesterol level may rise. It can also impact your health negatively and lead to serious heart problems. As a result, limit your intake of high-cholesterol foods. To acquire gorgeous, smooth, soft, lustrous, and silky hair, try the procedures suggested in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I use cholesterol hair treatment?
It depends on the degree of hair damage. If you have major hair damage, using it once a week can help repair and rejuvenate your hair. After your hair reaches a healthy state, opt for cholesterol treatments once or twice a month.
Can you leave cholesterol in your hair?
Depending on the extent of damage, cholesterol can be left on the hair for 15 minutes to an hour. Keep checking your hair periodically and wash it off immediately if you experience discomfort.
How do you make homemade cholesterol for your hair?
Use ingredients that are rich in fat like egg yolk and mayonnaise.
What is the difference between protein and cholesterol hair treatments?
Protein hair treatments help to strengthen the hair follicles since hair is primarily made up of protein. Cholesterol hair treatments help to hydrate, soften, and enhance the hair structure. It also helps repair damaged hair.
What hair type suits cholesterol hair treatment?
The cholesterol hair treatment is specially used to repair dry, brittle, and damaged hair from the overuse of chemical and coloring treatments.
Key Takeaways
- Cholesterol repairs dry, brittle hair and helps natural hair retain moisture.
- It is used in hair products like conditioners and shampoos at concentrations of up to 5%.
- Cholesterol treatments are topically applied and should not be consumed as they may seriously harm one’s health.
- A cholesterol hot oil treatment, after shampooing, restores hair sheen and protects your tresses from heating tools and chemicals.
- Mayonnaise can be used as a home cholesterol treatment to improve hair softness and shine.
Sources
- Araújo, Rita, et al. “Biology of human hair: know your hair to control it.” Biofunctionalization of Polymers and their Applications. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2010. 121-143.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/47756563_Biology_of_Human_Hair_Know_Your_Hair_to_Control_It - Palmer, Megan A., et al. “Cholesterol homeostasis: Links to hair follicle biology and hair disorders.” Experimental dermatology 29.3 (2020): 299-311.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/exd.13993 - Elder, RL, ed. “Final report on the safety assessment of cholesterol.” J Am Coll Toxicol 5.5 (1986): 491-516.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3109/10915818609141922 - Panicker, Sreejith P et al. “Sterol intermediates of cholesterol biosynthesis inhibit hair growth and trigger an innate immune response in cicatricial alopecia.” PloS one vol. 7,6 (2012): e38449.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3369908/ - Stenn, Kurt S, and Pratima Karnik. “Lipids to the top of hair biology.” The Journal of investigative dermatology vol. 130,5 (2010): 1205-7.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923384/
