
Do you dream of finding that near-perfect hair care product that magically transforms your locks, taking them from dull and thinning to thick and luscious? While such a product may not actually exist, some people claim that batana oil is close to it.
So, should you cave and spend some money on batana oil with the hope of softening your locks and regrowing your hair? There are undeniable benefits to using this oil on your strands, and you’ll learn all about them in this guide.
What is Batana Oil?
Batana oil is a substance that comes from American palm trees – specifically, the nuts that grow on these trees. It is also known as Elaeis oleifera kernel oil. It’s a rare and sought-after oil that is extremely rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, which is why it’s so prevalent in hair and skin care treatments.
Batana Oil Hair Benefits
If you begin using batana oil on your scalp and hair, these are some of the benefits you will notice.
It’s Very Moisturising
Like many other oils, batana oil is great for the hair as it is highly moisturising. This is due to the fatty acids in the oil, which leads to softer, smoother strands that are easier to manage.
It Strengthens the Strands
Most people want to avoid split ends and breakage, and that’s something that batana oil can help with. The presence of antioxidants in the oil helps promote better hair health by nourishing the scalp, leading to stronger locks overall.
It Adds Shine
For those looking for a boost of shine, batana oil is an excellent choice. It’s an extremely hydrating and effective oil that naturally adds vibrancy, bounce, and shine to any hair type.
It Works Particularly Well on Thick Hair
While batana oil is suitable for all hair types, it’s particularly beneficial for those with thicker locks. Thick hair can often feel hard to tame, and this highly moisturising oil makes even the thickest and frizziest of strands more manageable.
Damage Protection
The antioxidants in batana oil (such as vitamin E) can help protect the scalp against UV damage. That means your scalp won’t become as dry, flaky, and damaged when exposed to sunlight and other environmental stressors.
It Improves Scalp Health
When looking at hair health, you cannot simply focus on the strands – you need to look after the scalp, too, as this is where those strands grow from. Batana oil is packed to the brim with nutrients that the scalp absolutely loves, meaning using batana oil regularly creates a healthier scalp environment that facilitates growth.
Is Batana Oil Good for Hair Growth?
There is no denying that batana oil has several benefits for the the hair. You may have also heard that batana oil for hair even works for regrowing strands, but is there any truth to this?
While the idea of oil being able to grow out a full head of thick, luscious hair is alluring, unfortunately, there is currently no clear evidence that batana oil for hair growth actually works.
However, batana oil for hair growth may work in a more indirect way. By strengthening the strands, protecting them from damage, and minimising split ends, this oil allows the hair to grow out healthier, which can contribute to boosted growth. So, while it probably shouldn’t be used as a targeted hair loss treatment, that doesn’t mean it has no uses!
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How to Use Batana Oil for Hair
Generally, there are three ways to use batana oil for hair, which include as a leave in conditioner, as a pre shampoo treatment, and as a hair mask.
Finding the Right Product
There has been a massive boom in batana oil popularity in recent years, which means there are several batana oil products to choose from. Some might be better for fine hair, others for thick hair, and some may include other ingredients to boost hair health and encourage growth.
Of course, take into account how you want to use batana oil for hair – as a pre-shampoo treatment or a leave-in conditioner, for example.
As a Hair Mask
If you want to strengthen hair with a highly moisturising product, choose a hair mask that contains batana oil. To use a hair mask, it’s best to apply to freshly washed and still damp hair, running the product through the ends of the hair (ensuring you use plenty). Leave on for the amount of time specified on the product, and then rinse out thoroughly. You will say goodbye to dry hair!
As a Leave-in Conditioner
You can leave batana oil in your hair as a leave-in conditioner to allow your strands to continuously benefit from the nutrients. You’ll need to wash and condition your hair as usual first. After that, towel dry your hair until it’s damp, and then apply a tiny amount of the product (you may need more if you have very thick or long hair). Avoid the scalp, as that may lead to greasy-looking hair.
Once applied and distributed, you simply leave the oil in as you go about your day, and can wash out the next time you shampoo your strands.
As a Pre-Shampoo Treatment
This option is best for those with fine hair. To use a batana oil pre-shampoo treatment, apply it to the scalp and strands (preferably when damp) before washing your hair. Leave it on for at least fifteen minutes, and then wash out your hair as you usually would.
Other Batana Oil Uses
While batana oil is known for its ability to boost hair health, that is not all it is used for.
In Skin Care: Batana oil is great for the skin. The antioxidants present in the oil fight against skin damage, helping the skin look even younger. The moisturising properties can also make the skin look healthier, more moisturised, and radiant. You can use batana oil on your face and body, with many people mixing it with other skin-nourishing ingredients.
In Nail Care: Batana oil can also be used for strengthening the nails. This moisturising oil can be applied to the nails and cuticles to promote healthier nail growth.
It should be noted that most batana oil products should only ever be used externally – never ingest batana oil that is made for the hair or skin. While it is technically edible, you should only consume batana oil that is specifically classified as such.
Alternative Hair Restoration Options
As you can see, batana oil provides a variety of excellent benefits for the hair, helping the strands appear shinier, healthier, and stronger. However, with little evidence that it actually encourages growth, those experiencing hair loss will want to look elsewhere for a more effective solution.
Other Hair Oils
Many other hair oils are like catana oil – able to strengthen the hair without directly boosting growth. These include oils like almond oil and coconut oil. However, there are other oils that have been studied, with results indicating a genuine improvement in hair growth after use, and these include ones like rosemary oil, castor oil, and pumpkin seed oil.
Rosemary oil in particular has been the subject of several studies. One in particular studies the efficacy of rosemary oil against minoxidil as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia, with results showing that rosemary oil may be just as effective as minoxidil for regrowing the hair.
Minoxidil and Finasteride
The two most popular medications for treating hair loss (especially male pattern baldness) are minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil is available over the counter as a topical treatment and works by stimulating blood flow to the scalp. Finasteride is a prescription drug that blocks DHT, a hormone that causes male hair loss.
Platelet Rich Plasma PRP
Many clinical treatments are highly effective at boosting growth by stimulating the hair follicles. One of those is platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a treatment that involves taking the blood of a patient and readministering it into the scalp, where the growth factors within the platelets can activate the follicles, leading to new growth.
A Hair Transplant
Hair transplants are increasingly common due to their ability to provide a lifetime of full hair growth. The FUE procedure is particularly popular, as it leaves minimal scarring and allows for a swift recovery. A hair transplant is best for those with stabilised hair loss and a good donor area, as the process involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from a donor area and transplanting them to a recipient area (the area of the scalp experiencing balding or thinning). Results take a few months to show through but are permanent, so they are great for those wanting a seriously effective solution.
Final Thoughts
Batana oil is a nourishing, moisturising natural oil that comes from palm trees. Its healing properties can contribute to healthier, shinier, stronger locks, but that is where it reaches its limits, as there is no hard evidence that it can regrow hair.
If you are struggling with hair loss, you want a more targeted, effective treatment, and that is where the team at Harley Street Hair Clinic come in. We are a hair clinic that provides high-quality FUE procedures completed by the top surgeons in the business. To learn more about what we can do for your locks, look at our patients gallery.
Sources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/