Cholesterol Hair Treatment – What Is It And What Are Its Benefits?

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!

What Is Cholesterol Hair Treatment?

Hair 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

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

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 Tip

You can add avocado, jojoba, coconut, or olive oils in your hot oil treatments to maximize their effect. These oils may help repair damaged hair.

2. Homemade Cholesterol Hair Treatment

One of the oldest forms of cholesterol is mayonnaise. Back in the 1950s, when 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 Tip

Mayonnaise is tough to wash off. Use diluted shampoo to dissolve the oil and grease. Follow up with a clarifying shampoo to clear all residue from your hair and scalp.

3. Cholesterol Deep Conditioning Treatment

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.

4. Avocado Treatment For Hair

Avocado contains essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fatty acids that have the power to nourish and strengthen your dull, damaged, and limp strands (6). To create an avocado treatment for your hair, you can make a healing mixture.

Start by mashing a ripe avocado in a bowl until it forms a smooth paste. You can add a tablespoon of olive oil or honey for added moisture and shine. Dampen your hair with water and apply the mixture from your scalp to the roots. Massage it evenly and cover your head with a shower cap. Use a mild shampoo to rinse it out after 30 minutes.

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.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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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.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Sravya TipirneniMBBS, MD DVL, AMPH (ISB)

     

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 and Venereologists and Leprologists and the Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India (ASCI). Dr. Sravya completed her MBBS from Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences &...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She 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 love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach. Her passion for and understanding of all things related to skin, hair, and beauty propelled her to pursue a career in writing....more