The benefits of camelina oil for hair application?

For the hair, thecamelina oil can be applied purely, for instance, in an oil bath, or in ready-to-use products (shampoos, conditioners, hair masks).

Benefits have been observed from the oral consumption of camelina oil. In a study conducted in 2023, Anna K. SHOVELLER and her colleagues evaluated the effects of 16 days of camelina oil supplementation (8.2 g of oil/100 g of total food intake) on the coat quality of 30 dogs. It was found that the softness, shine, color intensity, and follicle density of the coat increased compared to the initial situation. These results are based solely on visual observations, without recourse to physiological measurements.. Indeed, camelina oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 (alpha- α-linolenic acid), present at a higher rate than other vegetable oils (27.9%). Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) must be provided by the diet and subsequently allows the synthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

These two products are believed to be responsible for the increase in the synthesis of characteristic lipids. Produced by sebaceous glands, they distribute along the hair shaft during its growth. This event of increased lipid synthesis then leads to a improvement in the quality of hair fibers. In addition, another study conducted by Bo-Reum LIM has shown that the hair application of a shampoo containing EPA and DHA can repair damaged hair and strengthen the hair fiber, by forming a protective layer around the hair.

It is understood that the presence of EPA and DHA is primarily what allows us to observe beneficial effects on hair. However, it should be noted that camelina oil does not directly contain these. The synthesis of EPA and DHA by ALA only occurs after the ingestion of α-linolenic acid, and therefore in our case, after the ingestion of camelina oil. This leads us to believe that camelina oil does not exert its characteristic action when applied directly to the hair.

However, as with any vegetable oil, it can be assumed that applying camelina oil to the hair has an effect on the preservation of hair quality. Numerous studies have confirmed that hair treated with vegetable oils, such as olive oil for example, showed an increase in the value of the necessary breakage strength, which is the force required to "break" a hair, but also in the ease of combing and shine. Therefore, it can be assumed that applying camelina oil as a hair oil treatment could increase hair shine and protect it from environmental damage.