Karite tree, also known as shea tree, is the mother tree of shea butter. Shea butter is rich in healthy fats and gained immense popularity as a beauty product.
It has a smoky smell to it with a silky smooth texture when applied to the skin. You can use she butter both as a skincare and hair care product.
Shea butter contains many essential fatty acids. The highest content is stearic acid followed by oleic acid. [1]
It also contains linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid. [2, 3]
All these contents make shea butter an amazing element for your hair.
In this article, we will cover:
- Reasons you should use shea butter for your hair with directions
- Tips and precautions for you to follow
- Some frequently asked questions and answers
Benefits of Using Shea Butter for Hair
Let’s take a look at why you should start using shea butter for your hair and how to do that.
1. Shea Butter in Keeping Your Curls Managed
Those of you who have curly hairs know the real deal of managing hair perfectly. Curls undoubtedly are beautiful, but it takes a lot of effort to maintain them.
Especially after you shampoo off your hair, they call for an unspoken rebel and refuse to stay in place.
If you are going through this problem, shea butter is what you need. The buttery smooth texture of shea butter will make your hair soft, silky
and healthy.
A right amount of shea butter on your curls can make your hair more manageable keeping your curls in place. [4]
Therefore, use shea butter for your hair and enjoy lustrous curls.
Directions:
- Wash your hair with a good shampoo.
- Take some shea butter in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to warm it up a little.
- Apply the butter on your curls to give them stability.
2. Shea Butter as a Natural Conditioner
Shea butter enhances the health of your hair. It is lightweight and nongreasy in texture. It gets quickly absorbed and locks in the moisture to your hair.
As it is completely natural and chemical free, you can use shea butter as a natural conditioner for your hair. [5]
The butter is enriched with vitamin E and A. These vitamins are excellent sources of moisture. It will leave your hair all smooth and shiny.
Directions:
- Mix two tablespoons of shea butter with one tablespoon of coconut oil and microwave to melt them up together.
- Leave the solution to cool down entirely till it starts to become solid again.
- Add one teaspoon of argan oil and whip the mixture till you get a creamy texture.
- Apply all over your hair and leave for half an hour before washing off with shampoo.
- Use this method twice a week.
Also Read: 18 Great Hair Benefits Of Argan Oil
3. Shea Butter to Protect Your Hair from UV Rays and Pollution
Shea butter, containing many necessary fatty acids and vitamins, can create a protective layer on your hair and scalp.
One of the main reasons behind damaged and brittle hair alone with an irritated scalp is the harmful UV rays. [6]
Also when your scalp and hair expose to the pollutants, they get damaged.
Shea butter can protect your hair from those harmful impacts. [7]
It contains cinnamic acid which protects your hair from direct sun exposure. It also works well as a treatment for your sun damaged hair.
Directions:
- Before going out, apply a very minimal amount of shea butter all over your hair as a thin coating.
- If you have sun damaged hair, apply some of the butter regularly forty minutes before using shampoo.
4. Shea Butter to Prevent Split Ends and Hair Breakage
The main reason behind split ends and hair breakage is dryness of hair and scalp.
Dry scalp promotes dry hair. Dry hair becomes rough and prone to breaking off in the middle. Also, when the roots of your hair lack in moisture, the tips don’t get the moisture at all.
Thus it may result in split ends and unwanted hair breakage.
Shea butter provides moisture to both the scalp and hair. This way, your hair will get the necessary nourishment and prevent split ends and
breakage. [8]
Therefore, use shea butter for your hair and get relief from split ends and hair breakage.
Directions:
- Whip some shea butter will a teaspoon of argan oil to form a creamy texture and apply all over your scalp and hair mainly concentrating on the split ends.
- Leave for at least twenty minutes and wash off with a good shampoo.
- Repeat three to four times a week.
5. Shea Butter Helps in Soothing Itchy Scalp
Itchy scalp is another major problem in everyday life. Itchy scalp is mainly the result of dirt and pollution of the environment.
Dirt hampers natural health of your scalp and causes scalp conditions like eczema, psoriasis and other dry scalp problems like dandruff.
All these skin problems cause itchiness of scalp which is often accompanied by inflammation and other irritations.
Shea butter can be your best remedy in this case. Along with the itchiness, it is a great help in treating scalp eczema, psoriasis and
dandruff as well. [9]
It quickly absorbs into your skin and most importantly, doesn’t clog any pores of your scalp.
Directions:
- Rub some shea butter gently all over your scalp massaging gently for a few minutes and wrap up your head in a shower cap.
- Leave it like this for half an hour and wash off with a good shampoo.
- Repeat twice a week.
6. Shea Butter for Inflammation of Scalp
Dry and itchy scalp often cause inflammation which is something very unwanted.
It hampers hair’s natural health and irritates your scalp. Inflammation may be the result of scalp infections or wounds. Scalp conditions like eczema can also cause inflammation. If your condition is nothing too severe, shea butter can be one of the safest ways for you to treat that inflammation. [6, 9]
Directions:
- Take some shea butter and apply it gently all over your scalp.
- Massage your scalp for five minutes in a circular motion using your fingertips.
- Leave the butter on for another fifteen minutes before rinsing off with water and shampoo off your hair.
- Repeat a week thrice till you get relief from the inflammation.
Also Read: Top 13 Essential Oils for Inflammation
7. Shea Butter to Prevent Hair Loss
The fatty acids of shea butter make the roots of your hair strong. Strong roots are very vital for healthy hair. The butter incorporates well with the scalp and reduces dryness by providing proper moisture.
It has a lightweight, buttery texture that absorbs quickly not clogging the follicles of your hair.
Clogged follicles are the fundamental reason for hair fall. Shea butter solves this problem and helps reducing hair falls. [10]
Start using shea butter for your hair to diminish hair loss problems.
Directions:
- Microwave some shea butter to melt it up and apply all over your hair including the scalp.
- Cover your entire head with a hot towel and wait for half an hour.
- Wash your hair with a good shampoo.
- Repeat on twice a week.
8. Shea Butter for Dry Scalp
Dry scalp promotes many hair problems. If you want to ensure healthy hair, you need to take care of your scalp first.
A dry scalp is prone to infections and acne. Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that provides moisture to your dry scalp and maintains good health. [11]
If your scalp stays appropriately nourished and hydrated, you will eventually get healthier hair.
Directions:
- Whip some shea butter with a teaspoon of castor oil and rub the mixture all over your scalp massaging gently.
- Leave for twenty minutes before washing off with shampoo.
Also Read: 5 Home Remedies for Dry Scalp and Dandruff
9. Shea Butter for Damaged Hair
The butter is a storehouse of fatty acids and essential nutrients. It works on your damaged, brittle hair and promotes health to them. It replenishes nutrients into your hair and makes them luscious and robust. [12]
Directions:
- Warm up some shea butter and add a teaspoon of sweet almond oil.
- Apply the mixture all over your hair, wait for thirty minutes and wash off with a good shampoo.
- Repeat this method a few times a week for best results.
Also Read: 12 Home Remedies for Damaged Hair
10. Shea Butter as a Hair Styling Cream
Hairstyling is favorite to many. Almost all the hair styling products require heat and regular use of such products leave permanent damage to your hair.
Shea butter can come to your help in this case. Use shea butter as a styling cream before using a styling tool on your hair. [13]
It gives your hair the necessary protections from all the heats and radiations that come from using the tools.
Directions:
- Take a very tiny amount of shea butter and apply a layer of it to your entire hair.
- Do this before using any styling tool on your hair.
Tips and Precautions
- If you are allergic to nuts or plants, it is better to avoid using shea butter.
- Don’t forget to test the butter applying on a little portion of your skin first.
- Try to use raw and unrefined shea butter.
- Clean your hair and scalp regularly.
- Drink lots of fresh water.
- If you have eczema or scalp psoriasis and the condition of your scalp seems to deteriorate, consult a doctor before applying anything.
- Store shea butter in an airtight jar and keep the jar in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q 1: Can you use shea butter to grow new hair?
A 1: Shea butter doesn’t promise to grow new hair. But by taking care of the scalp problems, it helps to replenish life to the scalp which makes the hair grow faster.
Q 2: Why should you use unrefined shea butter?
A 2: Refined shea butter has added bleaching agents which hamper the natural nutrients of the butter. Also, processed shea butter often
contains chemicals used to remove odor. Unrefined butter is chemical free and safe to use.
Q 3: Which one is better: cocoa butter or shea butter?
A 3: Well, cocoa butter certainly smells better than shea butter, but you definitely can’t overlook the fantastic benefits of shea butter. Also, you can blend in your favorite essential oils with shea butter to enhance the smell of it.
Bottom Line
Shea butter is an unusual ingredient to add to your hair care regime. She butter can do wonders for your hair’s health if used regularly but for that, you need to make sure to use unrefined shea butter only. It will take care of all the scalp problems and promote healthy attractive hair.
Therefore, use shea butter for your hair to enjoy good looking and healthy hair everyday.
Hope this article came to your help.
Please share your experiences with us in our comments section below.
