If you’re looking to grow longer, stronger hair, the natural options are seemingly endless. From oils like cedarwood oil and jojoba oil to castor oil and rice bran, the options are plentiful, so it can be hard to know what’s right for you. Really Perfect for you.
One hair care ingredient that’s currently getting a lot of buzz for healthy hair is amla powder. “Amla powder is made from the dried, crushed fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree,” says Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair. “This natural ingredient is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.” It may be new to hair care terminology, but amla powder has a long track record. “Traditionally, amla powder has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to improve the health of the body, skin, and hair,” says celebrity colorist Sharon Doram Kraus. “Rich in vitamin C, tannins, phosphorus, iron, and calcium, amla powder offers many potential benefits for hair and scalp.”
Read on to find out more about what amla powder can do for your hair and scalp, and how to use it to achieve your hair goals now.
Amla powder benefits for hair
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“Amla powder is known for its high vitamin C content, which strengthens hair follicles and promotes hair growth,” says Izquierdo. “It also contains essential fatty acids that nourish and condition hair and add volume and shine.” Doram Kraus explains that the high essential fatty acid content “also strengthens hair follicles, making hair stronger and less prone to breakage.” Over time, she says, it may help reduce hair loss and prevent premature fading. “Tannins, a plant polyphenol found in amla powder, can also protect hair from external damage caused by heat and UV rays,” she adds.
Amla Powder Benefits for Scalp
Dorham-Kraus points out that amla powder’s phytonutrient content makes it great for the scalp. “The phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals in amla powder, especially vitamins E and C, which support healthy circulation and cell regeneration, increase blood flow to the scalp, thereby stimulating hair growth,” she says. Another benefit that amla powder has for the scalp is that it can also soothe common scalp concerns. “When used on the scalp, amla powder improves scalp health by reducing inflammation,” says Izquierdo. It’s also great as a mask specifically for the scalp. “When used as a hair mask, amla powder acts as an exfoliant for the scalp, removing dead skin cells and promoting a healthier scalp environment,” says Dorham-Kraus.
How to Use Amla Powder for Hair and Scalp
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Preparation
If you want to use pure amla powder (which you can buy online or at a natural food store), you’ll need to prepare it yourself. “To apply amla powder to your hair and scalp, you need to make it into a paste,” says Doram Kraus. First, mix one tablespoon of amla powder with four to five tablespoons of a base ingredient, like coconut oil, sesame oil, or olive oil. Alternatively, you can use water, milk, or henna as your base. “If you use oil, heat it a little until it turns brown, then add the amla powder and stir, bring to a boil, then let it cool,” she says. “If you use milk or water, just mix the amla powder into the liquid and make a paste.”
application
“Massage the mixture evenly into your scalp and hair while it’s still warm, but not too hot so you don’t irritate your scalp or skin,” says Doram-Kraus. “Focus on applying the mixture all over your hair and scalp, from roots to tips.”
Frequency and duration
Doram Kraus recommends applying an amla powder hair mask two to three times a week and leaving it on for about 45 minutes, then rinsing thoroughly and shampooing and conditioning as usual. If you use a pre-made product or mask that contains amla powder, be sure to follow the directions on the label.
Potential risks
There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t use amla powder on your hair: “Some people may experience allergic reactions, such as hives or skin irritation, especially if exposed to UV rays after using amla powder,” explains Doram Krauss, who recommends doing a patch test before applying an amla mask to your hair and scalp.
Additionally, “overusing amla powder can lead to drying and brittleness depending on your hair type, so it’s important to follow the recommended usage guidelines and consider mixing it with moisturizing ingredients like oils or conditioners to offset the drying effects,” points out Doram Kraus.
