Olive oil: Natural boost for healthier hair

Olive oil has been a part of traditional hair-care routines for generations. Rich in fatty acids and antioxidant compounds, it can help condition dry strands, improve manageability and reduce breakage. While it is often promoted as a hair-growth remedy, its strongest benefits are related to hair conditioning and protection rather than directly stimulating new growth.
Research on oleuropein, a compound found in olives, has shown promising hair-growth effects in animal studies. However, these findings have not yet established that applying olive oil to the scalp produces the same effect in humans.
Scalp massage itself may also be a relaxing addition to a hair-care routine, but there is limited evidence that simply increasing scalp blood circulation makes hair grow faster. For noticeable hair loss or thinning, identifying the underlying cause is more important than relying on oil treatments alone.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone, plays an important role in androgenetic alopecia, or pattern hair loss, in genetically susceptible people. Olive oil contains oleic acid, and laboratory research has investigated the effects of various plant compounds on enzymes involved in androgen metabolism. However, there is not enough clinical evidence to conclude that applying olive oil to the scalp significantly blocks 5-alpha reductase or lowers DHT in humans. So, while olive oil can be a useful conditioner, it should not be presented as a proven DHT-blocking treatment.
This is where olive oil can genuinely shine. Its fatty acids can coat the hair shaft, helping improve softness and reducing the rough, dry feeling associated with damaged hair.
A small amount used as a pre-shampoo treatment can help improve manageability and leave strands feeling smoother. It can be particularly useful for dry, coarse or curly hair.
Hair that is excessively dry and rough is more vulnerable to mechanical damage from brushing, styling and friction. Olive oil can provide lubrication and help minimise this friction.