Safflower oil for hair makes a great treatment for color damaged hair and prevents protein loss from hair.
In this article, I cover how to use safflower oil to mitigate colored hair problems as well as the benefits of safflower oil for hair.
Colouring hair, even when done correctly, tends to lead to a plethora of problems such as dry hair, breaking hair, and allergic reactions among other complications.
A safe way to color hair is through natural methods such as henna and indigo. You can read my experience with this at Henna Head Weekend Results.
However, women still go with the chemical products available on the market for a number of reasons related to convenience and color variety.
Learn how to use safflower oil to alleviate colored hair problems in this article. I also cover safflower oil nutrition and the best brands of safflower oil for hair.
There’s a handy safflower oil for hair recipe card at the end for you to print and keep for when you’re ready to try the recipe.
What is Safflower Oil?
Safflower aka Carthamus tinctorius is a herbaceous, thistle-like flower that blooms annually. Safflower oil is a vegetable oil that’s extracted from the seeds of the plant.
The plant’s flower heads bloom in yellow, orange, and red colors, and have a very mild flavor.
Traditionally, safflower was used for coloring and flavoring food but has been cultivated almost exclusively for safflower oil in the last 50 years.
Safflower oil is colorless and flavorless. It pairs quite well with sunflower oil. Read Smoothen Out Dry Hair with Sunflower Oil for more on sunflower oil for hair.
Different Types of Safflower Oil
Currently, there are two kinds of safflower oil on the market.
One version is high in polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid). This type of safflower oil is used in cold cooking such as salad dressings and dipping oil. It’s not a very stable oil and it’s unsuitable for high-heat cooking.
The second version is high in monounsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid). This type of safflower oil is well suited to high-heat cooking and is a very stable oil. The smoking point of safflower oil is 509 degrees.
This monounsaturated fatty acid version is the version used in hair and skin care.
The bottle of safflower oil usually specifies the type of oil so you can make an informed decision.
Interesting Facts About Safflower
- The dried flowers of the safflower are used as a substitute for saffron, an expensive spice. This dried safflower is known as The False Saffron and Bastard Saffron.
- The safflower is cultivated as a dye plant too and was used in red and yellow dyes in times past.
Is Safflower Oil Good for Your Hair?
Coloring hair with commercial products can lead to dry hair, damaged hair and split ends. It can take months to recover from these issues.
In some cases, you might even have to trim your hair or cut everything off and start again. Safflower oil can help mitigate the issues caused by using commercial coloring dyes on hair.
5 Benefits of Safflower Oil for Hair
Here are the best benefits of safflower oil for hair and how it can improve hair health and growth over time.
1. Prevents Loss of Protein from Hair
Safflower oil helps with preventing the loss of protein from the hair. Similar oils that do this include peanut oil, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil.
2. Suitable for Heat Styling
Safflower oil has a high smoking point qualifying it as one of the oils suitable for heat styling.
For more on heat styling, head over to Is It Safe to Use Heat Styling Devices with Natural Oils?
3. Safflower Oil Contains Ceramides
With a high ceramide content of 78%, safflower oil is excellent for smoothing out hair and helping hair recover from the aftereffects of coloring with chemicals.
4. Nourishes Hair in Cold Weather
Curly hair tends to be drier in cold weather months even if your hair is healthy.
Adding safflower oil to your hair care regimen in fall and winter encourages moisture retention and nourishes hair and scalp.
5. Enhances Softness and Shine
The essential fatty acids and vitamin E content in safflower oil enhances softness and shine in dry and dull hair while it adds a healthy luster to healthy hair.
How to Use Safflower Oil for Hair
Safflower Oil Hot Oil Treatment for Damaged Hair
Ingredients
- Safflower oil
- 10 drops of vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried safflower
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
Directions
- Measure the dried safflower into a bottle then pour in the safflower oil, vitamin E oil, and lavender essential oil.
- When ready to use, heat the bottle up in a bowl of boiling water
- Apply to your clean hair and scalp. Massage your scalp and smooth through your strands.
- Pin up your hair and sit under a hair dryer for 30 minutes.
- Rinse out and deep condition your hair.
The scalp massage will help dilate the blood vessels, allowing more nutrients to reach the hair follicles.
This fosters an environment for healthy hair growth while the hot oil treatment will hydrate your strands and reduce the effects of hair coloring.
Is Safflower Oil Good for Hair Growth?
Safflower oil is optimal for dry and dull hair and helps hair recover after harsh treatments like commercial coloring.
It also acts as a vasodilator when applied to the scalp. This means it can dilate the blood vessels, improve circulation and bring more nutrients to the hair follicles thus encouraging hair growth.
To make safflower oil even more effective for hair growth, combine it with other hair growth oils like castor oil, pumpkin seed oil, and emu oil.
Have a look at the hair growth archives for the best hair growth oil recommendations you can combine with safflower oil.
Does Safflower Oil Penetrate Hair Shaft?
Currently, there are only three oils that can penetrate the hair shaft and safflower oil isn’t one of them. That doesn’t mean safflower oil isn’t good for hair though.
The three oils that can penetrate the hair shaft include coconut oil, olive oil, and sweet almond oil.
Safflower Oil vs Sunflower Oil
- Sunflower oil contains more vitamin E than safflower oil while safflower oil contains more antioxidants.
- Sunflower oil has 3 varieties – high oleic, mid oleic, and linoleic acid while safflower oil has 2 varieties – linoleic and oleic acid.
- Both sunflower oil and safflower oil have a light yellow color with similar consistency.
- Both sunflower oil and safflower oil have a mild flavor that doesn’t affect the taste of food when used in cooking.
- Safflower oil and sunflower oil come from the same family.
- Sunflower oil can be used as an alternative to safflower oil in high-heat cooking and hair care.
The bottom line – whichever one you choose depends on your preferences and you can even mix the two if you like.
Safflower Oil Supplements
If preferred, safflower oil can be taken as a nutritional supplement. However, focusing on the external application can help address the issues faster.
For recommended oil supplements for hair, read my earlier articles at:-
When buying safflower oil, ensure you pick up organic expeller-pressed oils. They might be more expensive but they are better in the long run.
Safflower Oil Side Effects
There are no known side effects of safflower oil and it is well tolerated in topical applications and for cooking.
If you’re concerned about contact dermatitis, carry out a patch test before full application.
Best Brands of Safflower Oil
The most recommended Safflower oil brands are:-
- Beauty Aura Safflower Oil
- Spectrum Naturals Expeller Pressed Organic High Heat Safflower Oil
- Eden Foods Organic Safflower Oil
- Life-Flo Pure Safflower Oil
Where To Buy Safflower Oil?
You can buy safflower oil online at the following retailers:-
Healthy Hair Care Recommendations
- Tea Rinsing Secrets for Healthy Hair Growth
- How to Grow Your Hair Healthy & Long with Natural Oils
- The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide: Stop Hair Loss. Regrow Bald Spots. Fill in Thin Areas.
- 365 Days of Moisture for Dry & Parched Hair
How to Use Safflower Oil for Hair
This safflower oil recipe for hair can be used as a hot oil treatment for dry and dull hair. It also helps improve hair damaged by commercial hair dyeing.
Materials
Instructions
- Open the bottle and measure in the dried safflower.
- Pour in the safflower oil until the bottle is almost full.
- Add in the vitamin E oil and lavender essential oil. Close and shake.
- On wash day, pour some hot water into the mixing bowl then place the safflower oil mix into the hot water. Leave it to warm up.
- When it's ready, dampen your hair then apply the warm oil to your hair and scalp. Massage your scalp and smooth through your strands in sections.
- Twist and pin-up each section then cover your hair with a disposable cap.
- Place the bonnet attachment over your head and attach the end to the hair dryer.
- Turn the hair dryer on to low heat and sit back for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, rinse out with lukewarm water then deep condition.
Notes
- Use every week for great results.
- Do not wash out with a clarifying shampoo. Rinse out thoroughly.
- If you have an oily scalp, you can wash it out first but with a diluted moisturizing shampoo formulated especially for colored hair.
Safflower Oil Hair Products
- Organic Root Stimulator Curls Unleashed Take Command Curl Defining Crème
- Miss Jessie’s Multi-Cultural Curls
- Jane Carter Solution Scalp Nourishing Serum
- Bumble and Bumble Grooming Cream (also contains jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and avocado oil)
Pin it for Later – Benefits of Safflower Oil for Damaged Hair
Abi is a curly hair expert who delved into the world of natural oils after severe hair loss issues. Through her research, study, and testing, she was able to regrow her bald spots & a healthy head of hair. She is the founder of Healthy Natural Hair Products & Ade Ori Hair Care, and the author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She continues to study hair science, Ayurveda, and natural and healthy solutions for hair and skin. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines…
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