Vaseline is a popular petroleum jelly brand that is rich in mineral oils and natural waxes. It is known for its moisture-locking properties and has multiple uses in skin care. But do you know that you can use Vaseline for hair too? It helps promote hair growth and fights against dandruff. This petroleum jelly is not only useful for your cracked heels and chapped lips but also works as a hair growth elixir. Here, we explore how to use Vaseline for your hair for maximum benefit. Keep reading.

Is Vaseline Good For Your Hair?

It depends on how you use it. Vaseline contains mineral oil, petroleum oils, and natural waxes and creates a protective covering to prevent moisture loss (1). It is believed that this property of Vaseline can help your locks retain moisture, strengthen them, and prevent breakage.

You can use Vaseline to treat “cradle cap” and diaper rash in infants. It relieves extreme dryness on the baby’s skin and soothes these conditions (2). However, there is no scientific research to support the claim that Vaseline promotes hair growth. On the contrary, Vaseline can clog the hair follicles and cause hair thinning and hair loss. It is also not helpful in treating dandruff.

Vaseline can help control flyaways and tame frizz. You can use it with overnight hair masks or dab some on the hair ends to prevent split ends. Vaseline is quite versatile and can be used to moisturize your eyelashes and eyebrows.

Vaseline is popularly used to manage a lice infestation (3). It is believed that it lubricates the hair and aids easy removal of lice and nits. You can use Vaseline in different ways, depending on your hair needs. Find out in the next section how to use it.

How To Use Vaseline For Hair

Note: Use a pea-sized amount of Vaseline. Excess petroleum jelly is difficult to remove and may clog the hair follicles.

1. To Manage Split Ends: Apply a tiny amount of petroleum jelly like a hair serum to the hair ends. This keeps the split ends in check and prevents dryness and hair breakage due to lack of moisture.

2. Add To Your Hair Mask: You can add Vaseline to your DIY hair masks or use it on its own.

3. As A Styling Gel: Dab a little bit of Vaseline to set the stray hair strands in place.

4. For Lice Treatment: Apply Vaseline thoroughly to the hair strands. Cover the head with a shower cap. Leave it on overnight and wash the hair with shampoo and conditioner. Anecdotal evidence states that Vaseline can choke the lice and ensure easy removal.

5. Prevent Dye Stains: You can use it to prevent staining during hair dyeing. Apply petroleum jelly around your hairline, behind the ears, and on your nape to avoid dye stains.

6. Remove Visible Flaking: Vaseline can help to remove visible flaking (caused by seborrheic dermatitis) from eyelashes and eyebrows.

Getting Petroleum jelly out of your hair can get a bit tricky due to its stickiness. Here are a few tips for easy removal.

Ways To Get Vaseline Out Of Your Hair

1. Shampoo: Use a clarifying shampoo to remove all traces of petroleum jelly from your hair and scalp. Follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner.

2. Baking Soda: If you do not have a clarifying shampoo, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with your regular shampoo to remove Vaseline from your hair.

3. Activated Charcoal: You can use activated charcoal powder with your shampoo to remove the extra petroleum jelly from your hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vaseline good for black hair?

Vaseline may protect black hair from dryness and breakage. However, proper research is required to determine its benefits further. Moreover, it can be very difficult to wash Vaseline off your hair.

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