You can buy amla in powder form as well, if you like. You’ll have to make a paste out of it by adding 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of water for every 1/2 cup (64 grams) of amla powder before applying it to your hair.
If you do have a reaction, note that it could also be from any base oils in the blend like coconut, jojoba, or argan oil. Check the ingredients list if you have known allergies or reactions to oil-based products in the past.
Moisture raises the outer cuticle layer of the hair, allowing the oil to soak in deeper in a shorter period of time, so it’s best to apply it to damp hair. If you’ve already shampooed your hair in the shower, step out and apply the amla oil in place of your usual conditioner.
It’s normal to feel a slight cooling effect from the oil.
Make sure to coat the tips of your hair, especially if your hair is dried out and prone to split ends.
You can also dampen a towel with hot water and then wrap your hair with it. Certain blends of amla oil call for leaving it on for up to 2 hours, so refer to the instructions on the bottle.
The oil is gone when you squeeze water out of your hair and don’t see any translucent swirls in the water. If you have dry or frizzy hair, use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to retain your hair’s natural oils.
You can also do a mini-application between washes to tame frizz by rubbing a quarter-sized amount onto your hands and running your fingers through the tips of your hair.
If you have a particular area of your scalp that is dry or flaky, part your hair so that part is exposed and you can focus the oil in that area.
If the amla oil came in a squeeze bottle, feel free to squeeze it onto your hair instead.
Apply extra oil in areas that are particularly dry, itchy, or balding (like the roots near the crown of your head or the tips of your hair).
The shower cap will also help retain heat coming from your head overnight, which will help open the hair follicles so the oil can soak in better.
Let your hair get saturated with water and squeeze a little out into your palm to see if you notice any translucent swirls in the water. If there are none, continue with your regular hair washing routine.
Be careful not to get the oil in your eyes because it will sting!
Avoid exfoliating on areas with open wounds, sores, or acne lesions because this may increase irritation and redness. Don’t harshly scrub your skin, especially the sensitive skin on your face! Do this treatment once or twice a week to keep your skin fresh and glowing.
Make sure to cover all of the areas that are prone to wrinkles, discoloration, or other signs of aging that you might be concerned about. Amla promotes the production of procollagen, a precursor to collagen to maintain healthy skin tissue, shrink pores, and repair damage.
If you’re putting it on your feet, wear socks to avoid slipping when you get up during the night or in the morning.
If you have fresh amla fruit, use 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of the juice along with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of mashed papaya. Do this treatment every other day to ease redness and correct discoloration on your face.
