Aloe vera, as a beauty ingredient, has been used to soothe an itchy scalp, moisturize dry hair, reduce frizz and even halt hair fall. It works as a natural conditioner to give you soft, shiny and frizz-free hair. It also contains natural enzymes which can calm down scalp irritation and work as a natural antibacterial agent. According to Dr. Niketa Sonavane, a cosmetic dermatologist at Ambrosia Aesthetics, "Aloe vera is largely made up of water and is rich in vitamins A, C and E - antioxidants that neutralize free radical damage. Besides this, aloe is also a rich source of minerals such as calcium, chromium, copper, selenium and magnesium. These are the key minerals in skin, hair and nail supplements. The moisturising effect of aloe vera comes from poly-saccharides - the water-holding sugar molecules that attract moisture from the air. Furthermore, aloe vera contains fatty acids that form a protective film on the hair and lock in the moisture.

An aloe vera hair mask is the answer to most of your problems. For a deep conditioning mask, mix aloe vera gel and coconut oil in the ratio of 2:3 and apply all over your scalp. Massage well, let it stay for 30 minutes and wash with a gentle shampoo. If you suffer from dry hair or scalp, make sure to add some honey as well.

For many, an aloe vera hair mask can just be about maintaining their hair, and not to treat any particular issue. For normal hair, Dr. Sonavane recommends, "Pure aloe vera juice! Scoop out the pulp from an aloe vera leaf and blend it in a mixer. Strain the juice with a tea strainer to remove the leftover pulp. You can store the juice in a glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Apply this juice with a cotton ball to your scalp daily. Make sure you shampoo daily or on alternate days."

For a quick and easy dandruff detox, mix fresh aloe vera gel and apple cider vinegar in the ratio 2:1. Apply all over your hair and scalp, leave for 20 minutes and wash with an anti-dandruff shampoo. Do this twice a month to make sure you are not overburdening your scalp with vinegar. If you suffer from dry ends, make sure to add some honey to the mask as well.

Combining the infection-fighting powers of tea tree oil and mattifying properties of lemon, this mask will help cleanse your scalp while nourishing greasy hair at the same time. Add a few drops of lemon juice and tea tree essential oil to three tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Apply on your scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes; shampoo your hair the usual way afterward.

For a rejuvenating hair mask , mix fresh aloe vera gel with yogurt and olive oil in the ratio of 3:2:1. Apply all over your hair, massage gently for 10 minutes and wash with lukewarm water. Avoid shampooing right afterwards and air dry your hair. This is a great aloe vera hair mask for dry and frizzy hair.

Mix three tsp of aloe vera gel with one egg in a bowl. Whisk the mixture to a thick consistency and apply all over your hair with a brush; use a shower cap to mask the strong smell of eggs. Keep it on for at least 30 minutes and wash afterward with lukewarm water and a cleansing shampoo in order to get rid of the smell. You might have to rinse and repeat. This hair mask gives your greasy stands a great boost of fortifying proteins and avoids breakage!

Castor oil is known for lending a thicker texture to hair strands. A hair mask with three to four tbsp of aloe vera gel mixed with a tbsp of castor oil, when applied to your scalp and hair strands can help add volume to thin hair. Keep the mask on your hair for 20 minutes, follow up with a mild shampoo, rinse and repeat to wash off the oil thoroughly. This is the best aloe vera mask for hair.

So how to use aloe vera hair mask for hair growth and thickness? Well according to Dr. Sonavane , "Take three tablespoons of aloe vera juice, one tsp of honey, one shot of espresso, one tbsp hung curd and half of overripe banana and blend well. Fill it in a squeezy ketchup bottle and apply liberally to your hair and scalp. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for 30 minutes." Avoid shampooing on the same day and instead, rinse off thoroughly with water as the caffeine needs time to take effect on your scalp and that's how you can get all the aloe vera hair mask benefits.

A. To get the most benefit from your hair mask, apply it on shampooed and towel-dried hair. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes under a shower cap. Rinse well with warm water. Skip the shampoo, but do apply conditioner as usual.

A. Some people can be allergic to aloe vera, so before you start using it, make sure you do a patch test. To do the patch test, take some aloe vera and apply it on the inside of your wrist or the inside of your forearm. Watch for any redness, itching or burning sensation over the next 48 hours.

A . According to Dr. Sonavane, "You can use aloe vera in your hair and scalp as often as you like. But beware of moisture overload. Aloe vera can make your hair overly hydrated and limp with repeated use. A simple way to counter this is an apple cider vinegar rinse to remove buildup and an egg mask to add protein into your strands.

A.Yes, aloe vera's antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties can soothe itchy scalps and reduce dandruff.

A.Yes, aloe vera can promote hair growth by nourishing the scalp, improving blood circulation, and reducing hair breakage.