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How to Use Vaseline on Your Hair

Mary Smith
By Mary Smith. Updated: December 16, 2020
How to Use Vaseline on Your Hair

Does your hair damage easily, struggle to grow or lack shine? If this is the case, using Vaseline for your hair might be the solution to any or all of these problems. Not only is Vaseline readily available, but it’s also cheap! Vaseline, also referred to as petroleum jelly, has been utilized by humans for over 150 years. While originally used to protect cuts and burns or as a household lubricant, it has been found to have many other uses, especially in beauty therapy.

For more about how to use Vaseline for hair growth and healthy hair, keep reading oneHOWTO.

You may also be interested in: The Best Beauty Tips Using Vaseline

Is Vaseline good for your hair?

The first thing we can say is that everyone's hair is different. Not only in length, but in texture, strength and body. For this reason, the best care for your hair is that which is catered to the individual.

However, there are some general guidelines which apply to hair how hair typically behaves. The reason hair splits and breaks is usually due to dryness. Dry hair gives your locks an unhealthy appearance, making hair more prone to damage and split ends. Just like your skin, your hair needs moisture to stay healthy and maintaining nourished hair takes effort.

If you have naturally greasy or healthy looking shiny hair, we recommend that you avoid using Vaseline. In these cases, it can make your hair look greasier. On the other hand, if you have dry or damaged hair, Vaseline can be a great option for you. Not only does Vaseline prevent split ends but it can also help hair growth. Even if your hair is shiny, Vaseline will still likely protect it, it will just likely result in a greasy look.

Many do, wonder if petroleum jelly bad for your hair. In some circumstances, it can be. By adding too much Vaseline to your hair, you may cause clogging and prevent natural moisture. In addition, it can also result in an allergic reaction. For this reason, as with hair dye or any product you use on your hair, you should test it first on a small patch of skin. If you notice a reaction, avoid the use of the product.

some people also wonder if Vaseline is good for natural or afro-textured hair. This is down to the user and the individual. The benefits and disadvantages of Vaseline can apply to all hair types, but there are exceptions for individuals.

For more, we suggest taking a look at our article where we look at the best beauty tips using Vaseline.

Uses of Vaseline on hair

If you have tested for Vaseline safety, then you will want to know the different ways you can use Vaseline on your hair. The effectiveness of these tricks will depend on how your hair responds, but we will be able to help you understand what you might expect. Uses of Vaseline on hair include:

  • Fixing split ends
  • Hair growth
  • Avoiding hair loss
  • Hair styling
  • Eyelashes
  • Lice treatment

To see these different Vaseline hair treatments in more detail in the sections below.

How to Use Vaseline on Your Hair - Uses of Vaseline on hair

Vaseline to fix split ends

When applying Vaseline to split ends, a little goes a long way. Split ends, scientifically known as trichoptilosis, can make it harder for your hair to grow as the ends of the hair literally split or break apart. Split ends are often caused by over-washing, sun or cold exposure, abrasive treatments and curling or straightening irons.

If you’re wondering how to use Vaseline for hair growth due to split ends, we recommend applying a small amount of Vaseline on the tips of your hair daily. Vaseline will act to lock-in moisture and nourish your hair, but applying too much Vaseline to your hair can make it look greasy. Be careful with how much Vaseline you use on your hair.

For more about split ends, we recommend taking a look at our article where we discuss how to make homemade hair masks for split ends.

Vaseline for hair growth

If you are having problems with hair growth, or are even experiencing hair loss, it can be very troubling. We are often emotionally linked to the state of our hair. It causes us to look to any solution, even ones which seem to good to be true.

Unfortunately, this may be the case with Vaseline. There is little evidence to support it as a miracle hair regrowth treatment. However, if you apply a little to your hair at the root, it can help strengthen the hair and to keep it in good condition. For these reasons, it might help encourage growth. Be careful not to run it through all of your hair and wash afterwards with a quality shampoo and conditioner.

For more information to help bring body back to your hair, read our article on how to stimulate hair growth.

How to Use Vaseline on Your Hair - Vaseline for hair growth

Vaseline for hair loss

If you’re looking for an complete hair treatment to tackle hair loss and protect your hair, we recommend applying Vaseline to your hair once a week. We recommend applying this treatment if you need general hair strengthening. The best time to apply Vaseline to your hair, in the case, is before bed.

Applying Vaseline before bed will give the product time to penetrate the scalp and hair adequately. All you have to do is rub a little onto your scalp and cover with a clean and dry shower cap, to avoid dirtying your pillow cases. If you don’t have a shower cap, you can opt for wrapping your hair in a clean towel.

Remember you can also make your Vaseline at home if you want to avoid the chemicals in a commercial product. This is also a great option when trying to avoid chemical petroleum jelly, which can be harmful to hair.

Vaseline for hair styling

If you notice that the Vaseline is leaving you with greasy hair, wash your hair in the morning with your normal shampoo and make sure to rinse it well with water. If you notice that your hair is still greasy: add a teaspoonful of baking soda to your shampoo bottle. Baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda) can help extract additional grease in hair. If this baking soda still doesn't work, opt for a little cornstarch instead.

We can also use a Vaseline hair mask to help protect our hair. We just need to be sure we wash the hair mask out thoroughly with quality product afterwards.

For more about how to have healthier hair, we recommend reading our article where we discuss how to strengthen hair naturally.

How to Use Vaseline on Your Hair - Vaseline for hair styling

Vaseline for eyelashes

Do you want longer and thicker eyelashes? If so, you can apply a little Vaseline in order to stimulate eyelash growth. Put some Vaseline on a cotton bud and run it over your eyelashes. You can also do this with a clean mascara wand to avoid getting fibers caught in your eye. Apply treatment nightly for a couple of weeks to notice a change.

For more tips and tricks on how to use Vaseline for eyelash growth, read our following articles where we discuss how to use Vaseline instead of mascara or learn how to grow thicker eyebrows with Vaseline.

Vaseline for lice

Are you looking to get rid of lice naturally? Vaseline saves the day again! If applied correctly, Vaseline will suffocate or smother lice, killing their presence entirely. It is not harsh like some treatments for hair lice, but instead provides a natural way to get rid of hair lice without causing damage to the hair through harsh chemicals. In fact, it might even strengthen the hair once the lice have gone.

We need to apply the Vaseline in a particular way to get rid of lice. Read our article on how to use Vaseline to get rid of lice to use it safely and effectively.

How to Use Vaseline on Your Hair - Vaseline for lice

Is Vaseline on the scalp bad?

Although Vaseline can be a great way to improve your hair, some people worry about the effect it will have on the scalp. This is because, as with other parts of our skin, the Vaseline might clog pores in a similar way.

This helps us to understand that Vaseline on your scalp will affect people differently according to their skin quality. If your scalp skin is dry, then petroleum jelly can work as an emollient to help protect against the elements which dry it out. If your scalp is not dry, then the Vaseline might not be very beneficial.

However, this doesn't mean it won't be good on your hair. If you don't have a dry scalp, you can simply put the Vaseline closer to the tip of the hair and avoid going down to the root. Also, for everyone using Vaseline on their hair, a little usually goes a long way. Use sparingly or in increments.

To know more about different uses of petroleum jelly, check out our article on how to use Vaseline on puffy eyes.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Use Vaseline on Your Hair, we recommend you visit our Beauty & Personal Care category.

Tips
  • If you notice your hair looks dull with Vaseline, which can frequently happen with afro or very curly hair, try other methods such as shea butter or grapeseed oil.
  • Try Vaseline out on a small portion of your skin beforehand to make sure it doesn't create an allergic reaction.

Write a comment

What did you think of this article?
7 comments
vijay
i have vaseline use to hair weekly 2 times. what about your suggestion
OneHowTo Editor
Not sure about the question Vijay, can you clarify?
Rating:
Kennedy
Do you nessasarely need to wash the vaseline out of your hair
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Kennedy,

You don't have to wash it out, but it will mean you hair will look quite greasy. If this is part of the look you're going for, then no problem! Otherwise, we'd recommend washing it out.
Rating:
Marty
Personally, my hair loves vaseline and so does my body. This is so old school, been using vaseline in my hair since the late 50's. I stopped it when I got "caught up" in the "only use natural products" phase started on the internet for us natural ladies. Waste of money and so much dry hair later. A light bulb went off as I finally got common sense knocked back into me on one very dry brittle hair day and when I could not afford those expensive products anymore. I remembered what use to make my hair grow and stay moisturized, grease, and water! My hair has been flourishing like it did back in the day. Vaseline not only saves you money but time also, and you can find it cheap anywhere. It does wash out, I wash my hair with Colloidal Oatmeal (make your own, save money) or hair conditioner or a clarifying shampoo. Also, Vaseline does not clog the pores, the molecules are too large, but I do understand that some can be allergic to it or just don't like it at all.

Thanks for the wonderful article.
Rating:
spokazi
I want to make my own haifood to sell, what can I use?
Rating:
George
Do i need to mix with any oil or lubricants before applying on my hair?
OneHowTo Editor
No, just apply a very small amount on the tips, no need for any extra ingredients
Jasmine
DO NOT USE THIS!! Vaseline is NOT water soluble so it just sticks to your hair. I tried this the other day on my ends and I washed it 3 times with shampoo and it isn't come out. I then tried body soap (as it cleanses the scalp more) and that didn't work! I tried the baking soda and that didn't either! I ended up having to use washing up liquid which has no damaged my hair! So turns out my hair was healthier before using the Vaseline.
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Jasmine. You are not meant to get the Vaseline out of the hair. As it states in the article, you should always only use a small amount, no matter why you are using it.
Papa
Jasmine you are NOT supposed to mix water and Vaseline try it on your hands put Vaseline on them then try to wash it
sam
so if i use vaseline on my hair , dont wash it ? just leave it in ?
OneHowTo Editor
It is not recommended or your whole hair will look greasy.
Hope this helps
judiy
Im using vaseline in my hair ones in a week..probbaly I mixed it with avocado oil and coconut oil!!and also in my eyelashes!!! ..guest what its so perfect!!! I notice that its really work!!!. Its perfect if u have a problem in your eyelashes and your hair!!!!!!i forgot vaseline petroleum jelly is really good in your foot..especially if u have a dry foots!?? ....for girls out there dont waste your money!!! Just try it and you will see!! Just be patient to see the result
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