Does Aloe Vera Help With Hair Growth?

There are many natural remedies for hair loss on the market — some are old wives’ tales, while others are worth trying. But where does aloe vera for hair loss fit in? Does aloe vera help with hair growth, or is this just another unfounded claim circulating on the internet?

Derived from a succulent plant, aloe vera gel has a long-running reputation for its health benefits. It’s used in skincare for soothing sunburns, reducing dryness, and healing cuts and burns.

Unfortunately, though, there’s very little research to suggest aloe vera works for hair growth. But it could help with other hair concerns, making it a worthwhile addition to your hair care routine.

We’ll go over the science below. We’ll also look at the effects of aloe vera on hair and scalp health, then share some alternatives to aloe vera for hair loss.

Currently, there’s no scientific proof that aloe vera can improve hair growth. Having said that, various vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and chemical compounds in aloe may benefit hair health.

Some research suggests that compounds like aloenin (found in aloe plants) may encourage hair follicle cells to stay in the growth phase of the hair growth cycle. Basically, it might stimulate hair growth or help it continue growing for a longer period.

But this research is dated. Over the past few decades, there have been few studies on the effects of aloe vera on hair regrowth.  

Since hair loss usually gets worse over time, it’s important to stick to science-backed hair loss treatments — more on those later — instead of wasting your time and money on unfounded “remedies.“

Still, although it might not cure hair loss, aloe vera can have other benefits for your overall hair health. Let’s explore that in the next section.

While encouraging healthy growth is an essential part of hair care, having healthy hair is about more than just making sure it grows.

Why does aloe vera help with hair growth or general hair health? Aloe vera is rich in amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E — all of which can contribute to a healthy scalp and hair. Plus, it has antimicrobial (bacteria-killing) and anti-inflammatory properties.

For these reasons, aloe can play a role in hair health, even though it might not stop hair loss.

Aloe Vera Can Soothe Itchiness and Inflammation 

Aloe vera hair benefits include relief from itching and irritation. Many issues can cause your scalp to become itchy, excessively dry, inflamed, and irritated. These scalp conditions include:

• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

• Psoriasis

• Dandruff (a big symptom of seborrheic dermatitis) 

An aloe vera treatment might help soothe an inflamed and itchy scalp. Research suggests it reduces irritation on the scalp. 

Aloe vera also has anti-inflammatory properties. A 2024 review on aloe vera pointed to research showing it may soothe psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Aloe Vera Might Help With Dandruff 

We’ve already explained that aloe vera can soothe the itchiness and inflammation associated with dandruff — but did you know it could soothe the root cause of dandruff itself?

Seborrheic dermatitis — a skin condition that causes dandruff — is often caused by an overgrowth of fungus or bacteria on the scalp. 

Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties, meaning it can kill the fungi and bacteria behind your dandruff.

Some research shows that aloe vera can stop the growth of treatment-resistant Malassezia yeast, a common cause of dandruff due to seborrheic dermatitis.

Aloe Vera Can Deep-Clean Your Hair 

If you need a gentle yet effective clarifying shampoo, consider using one containing aloe vera.

A clarifying shampoo (sometimes called deep-cleaning shampoo) is used to clean excess oil, product buildup, and pollutants from your hair and scalp. This buildup can irritate your scalp and leave you with dull, oily hair that’s difficult to manage.

Older research from 2009 shows that aloe vera can help remove extra sebum (natural oil) that accumulates on the hair and scalp. 

Since aloe vera is gentle and hydrating, it can help clean your scalp deeply without drying it out.

Aloe Vera Can Nourish Brittle, Dry Hair

Aloe vera is often found in skincare products because it has hydrating, moisturizing properties. That’s one reason this natural ingredient often has the stamp of approval of dermatologists.

When you use aloe vera, it provides your skin with amino acids, as well as vitamin E and vitamin C. These all do a variety of beneficial things for your skin, including stimulating collagen production, taming free radicals, and acting as anti-inflammatories.

Aloe vera can also hydrate and nourish hair strands, preventing breakage and dry hair.

Now that we’ve covered why you might want to use aloe vera on your hair, let’s look at how to use it.

Some people grow the succulent at home and break off an aloe vera leaf when they want to tend to a cut or burn. Unfortunately, this method isn’t super practical if you want to use fresh aloe vera gel on a large surface area, like your scalp. And not all climates are suitable for growing aloe plants.

Here’s what you can try:

• Use pure aloe vera gel. You can purchase aloe vera juice or gel from a health store or buy it online. Add a few drops to your shampoo, conditioner, or hair mask.

• Buy aloe-enriched hair care products. To make it simple, you can get hair products that already contain aloe vera and other nourishing ingredients.

When using aloe vera, don’t forget to do a patch test first. Though it doesn’t have many side effects, it’s possible to have an aloe vera allergy.

There’s little evidence that aloe vera can stop hair loss — but there are a number of hair loss treatments that actually do work.

Your options include:

• Finasteride. A prescription-only, FDA-approved hair loss medication, finasteride may slow down androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness). It works by reducing levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body, the hormone that contributes to male pattern hair loss.  

• Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a topical hair loss treatment that can be purchased over the counter. It’s also FDA-approved for treating male pattern hair loss. You can get minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution (a serum-like liquid) online, without a prescription.

• Combination treatments. Men with androgenic alopecia might benefit from using finasteride and minoxidil together. Our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray combines both treatments in one product.

• Hair loss shampoos. Certain hair care products might help block DHT and stimulate hair growth. For example, our thickening shampoo contains saw palmetto — a natural ingredient that partially inhibits DHT.

Hair loss often worsens over time — and in some cases, it may be a symptom of a deeper underlying issue. We’re not saying this to scare you — but to encourage you to speak with a healthcare professional.

A medical provider can assess the potential cause of your hair loss. Plus, they can help you figure out a solid treatment plan for stimulating healthy hair growth.

What about argan oil, castor oil, or coconut oil? Explore the best oils for hair growth in our blog.

Does aloe vera help with hair growth? That aloe vera plant in the corner of your garden might not help your hair loss problems, but it still has some promising benefits for hair.

Here’s the TL;DR:

• Aloe vera isn’t a go-to treatment for hair loss. In fact, there’s very little evidence to suggest it can stimulate hair growth or slow down hair loss.

• But it does have other benefits for hair health. It might hydrate your hair, promote scalp health, and help keep your hair clean. 

• You have a few options for adding aloe vera to your hair routine. For example, you can purchase aloe-enriched products or add a few drops of aloe vera juice to your hair products. When in doubt, ask your stylist about how to use aloe vera for your hair type.

If you’ve noticed the early signs of balding, time is of the essence. Get treatment ASAP before it gets any worse. 

You can start by speaking with an expert about treatment options based on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing.

Ready to get your hair thriving? We can connect you with a healthcare professional for a virtual appointment from the comfort of your own home. Take our free hair loss quiz to get started.