Emu oil is oil that comes from an Australian bird of the same name, the emu. The emu is a flightless bird that belongs to the same group as the ostrich. You might even mistake an emu for a young ostrich because it looks a lot like it, except it is single-colored with different shades of brown. The oil taken from this bird is found on the flat of its back, where it stores most of its fat.
Emu oil is found in the fat of the meat on the Emu’s back. It can only be extracted from the bird when it has been butchered for its meat. In Australia, emus are widely farmed for their meat, so production and demand for its oil are also high. The pad of fat, when extracted from the butchered emu, is washed and cleaned but kept whole for refrigeration.
Once all the other fats have been obtained, all the collected pads are ground and melted together to become oil. It is then processed so it can be filtered, refined, and sterilized. It is also sometimes deodorized because properly refined emu oil is an odorless oil.
What Does Emu Oil Contain?
Emu oil contains around 5% natural fatty acids, 70% of which are unsaturated and heart protective. You don’t need to worry about preservatives or other ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. Emu oil is all natural and pure.
What Are The Benefits of Using Emu Oil?
The uses of emu oil are endless. It has a natural ability to soothe anything swollen. It has also been an ingredient in most medicinal ointments that help with some skin disorders. People use it to treat a multitude of ailments and cosmetical reasons, some of which include:
- Minor ailments related to inflammation like juvenile arthritis and muscle aches
- First-degree burns
- Boosts the healing of surgical wounds and reduces appearance of scars and keloids
- Reduce stretch marks
- Diaper rashes
- Moistening dry or cracked lips
- Insect bites
- Reducing the appearance of wrinkles
- Minor cuts and bruises
- Skin disorders like eczema and acne
- and even sinusitis.
Though lacking in thorough clinical research, there are some studies comparing the efficacy of Emu oil with clotrimazole and hydrocortisone in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
Is it Safe to Use?
Yes, emu oil is safe to use. Many people use it as a home remedy for different kinds of illnesses, specifically to reduce swelling on the skin. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t cause pimples or allergies when applied to the skin. It is not susceptible to or causes bacteria so there is no need to worry about storage. Like essential oils, it’s preferable that this oil is used in moderation.
There is no known case of allergic reactions, side effects or dangers of using emu oil as of now. Even so, you should take precautions and use it in moderation anyway. Since it’s applied directly to the skin, it is highly advised that you don’t mix it on your own with other ointments, oils or creams, especially those with chemical ingredients.
Can Use Emu Oil Help Against Hair Loss?
Emu oil can help you treat hair loss if it is used early on when you first signs of hair loss appear. It works best when your scalp is not yet completely damaged. The oil can’t treat a permanently damaged scalp. It is best to track the heart growth progress with the help of a dermatologist.
Some dermatologists recommend emu oil as an effective natural alternative for treating hair loss, particularly traction alopecia. Since it can be easily absorbed by the skin, you can use it to soothe the inflamed areas and reduce the swelling.
This oil has a natural ability to de-clog even the tiniest pores of the skin, including that of hair follicles. This will help reduce the blister, even extricate trapped pus, and encourage your hair to regrow.
Emu oil can help treat hair loss by soothing the inflamed portions of the scalp which is what makes hair growth scarce in that area. It can help relieve itchiness, and you can also reduce flaking on your scalp with its natural moisturizing effect.
Can Emu Oil Promote Hair Regrowth?
The most difficult situation you will face with hair loss conditions is encouraging hair regrowth. Emu oil on its own cannot promote hair regrowth on permanently damaged skin.
With the help of a dermatologist, you will need to get proper treatment first to get your skin back to working condition. Once the damaged skin is restored, either through surgical or injection methods, you can use emu oil to speed up the healing.
Where Can You Find Emu Oil?
You can sometimes find it in some health stores throughout the country but the easiest way is to order it online since there are more options to choose from.
A good place to begin with is Amazon.com where emu oil is also sold as a shampoo and conditioner, serum and moisturizer, and even as a bar of soap if you strictly want to use it while you are in the shower.
However, if you buy the pure form of emu oil, then you can use it for more applications than just for hair.
How To Use It?
Pure emu oil is odorless and spreads nicely, so you don’t need to use it much. Rub 1-2 drops into your palms and apply the oil on the scalp and hair moving from the root to the tip. You might need a bit more if you have longer hair.
If you feel oily after application, you might have used more than needed. You should use less next time. For deep nourishment, apply a few more drops, leave overnight, and wash off the next morning.
Conclusion
Emu oil can promote hair growth on slightly damaged skin. It can heal the blisters and inflamed skin on your scalp caused by traction alopecia. You can massage some oil on your head to soothe the pain and at the same time let your skin absorb it quickly. It is one of the best home remedies for hair loss prevention.
Still, it is best to seek the help of a dermatologist if you are suffering from a severe hair loss condition, especially when part of your scalp has stopped producing hair. Proper treatment followed by a healthy home remedy of emu oil massages will help fight against complete hair loss.