The best way to get pure aloe vera is to actually get a plant and extract the aloe yourself. Bailey recommends snipping off a leaf, letting the cut edge of the leaf sit for eight to 24 hours to let the sap drain, and then removing the outer skin. “What is left is the inner gel-like flesh with its medicinal value,” she says. Some aloe vera hair mask recipes online call for blending the gel with other ingredients, but it’s best to leave it on its own. “Avoid ingredients that cause buildup on the scalp and hair shaft at all costs,” says hairstylist Shab Reslan, a trichologist and host of the hair-and-scalp-focused podcast Hair Like Hers. “Buildup on the scalp will lead to inflammation, scalp issues, and subsequent hair thinning or loss, [and] buildup on the hair shaft results in dull and easily tangled hair.” Just don’t let aloe vera sit on your scalp for much longer than 20 minutes. “It is great for hydrating and cleansing the scalp but not for long periods as it will lose the moisturizing effect and potentially cause irritation and drying out the scalp,” Reslan says. It can also be tough to wash the aloe vera off if it sits too long, she points out. Unfortunately, there are no scientific studies directly linking aloe vera to hair growth, but that doesn’t mean the plant can’t help hair grow. “Aloe vera applied topically has been shown to increase skin microcirculation3, potentially stimulating hair growth,” Bailey says. In general, people with dry hair, curly hair, and coarse hair tend to get the most benefits, Bailey says. But people with fine hair can also get perks. “Even oily scalps can benefit because aloe vera has been shown to help remove excess oil,” Bailey says. There’s no hard and fast rule for how often to use an aloe vera mask for your hair and scalp, but it’s generally best to do it about once a month, Reslan says.
