Jessica L. Yarbrough
By now, you’re probably at least a little familiar with CBD — you know, the other three-letter compound derived from the cannabis plant. Whereas the most ubiquitous cannabinoid, THC, is responsible for cannabis’ well-known psychoactive effects, CBD (aka, cannabidiol) delivers all of the health benefits — like decreasing pain, inflammation, and anxiety — with none of the high. Unless, of course, you get high on good hair days. Hair products made with CBD oil are on the rise, and they’re about to take your hair care game to a whole new level.
There’s a lot of confusion out there about what CBD oil actually is, though. CBD oil is oil that contains a concentration of CBD, which is derived from seeds of plants in the Cannabaceae family — including hemp and marijuana. Many CBD oils on the market are derived from hemp, since this plant has lower levels of THC (the “high”-inducing substance).
Researchers have discovered a wealth of benefits associated with CBD, including better sleep, mood regulation, and a boosted immune system… not to mention every millennial’s favorite: reduced anxiety. But as it turns out, the ingredient can also help stressed-out strands in the form of CBD-spiked shampoos, conditioners, and stylers.
“CBD oil contains all 21 known amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein,” Kevin Wachs, founder and CEO of Earthly Body (whose child company EMERA recently launched a line of CBD hair products), tells The Zoe Report. “Because of that, it helps to build up collagen and elastin, which are essential to hair strength.” He notes that by helping hair to build protein, CBD oil prevents breakage and even makes locks look thicker and fuller.
On top of that, CBD oil is high in antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E. “These three are the best studied of all the antioxidants — they protect us from pollution-induced free radicals,” Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a Miami-based dermatologist with over 40 years of experience, tells The Zoe Report. In other words, the vitamin content of CBD shields hair from environmental damage like dryness and frizz.
“It’s also high in essential fatty acids such as Omegas 3, 6 and 9, so it helps to prevent moisture loss and keep hair well hydrated,” Wachs adds. “Additionally, one of the amino acids in CBD Oil, tyrosine, helps to maintain hair color.”
But where CBD oil really shines is scalp health. “CBD made waves in the beauty industry for its amazing benefits to the skin, and your scalp is no different,” Alli George, the marketing manager at Daintri, an online mecca for all things CBD, adds. “It’s regenerative for the skin, so it helps the scalp maintain necessary things to keep it healthy, like good blood circulation and quelling dandruff and sore or irritated hair follicles.”
It’s even been shown to stimulate hair growth, according to doctors. “People with receding or thinning hair may benefit from CBD use,” Dr. Eshan Ali, the Beverly Hills Concierge Doctor, tells TZR. “Also, people with dry scalps show improvement from CBD oil.”
There is a bit of a gray area when it comes to selling CBD products, though. The initials are still controversial in some places due to their proximity to marijuana, and marijuana-derived CBD — even though it’s completely non-psychoactive — is still illegal in a handful of U.S. states (Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota) and in Canada, as well. But hemp-derived CBD is totally cleared for sale, which is why many CBD oil-boasting brands use the word “hemp” in their marketing. “A new trend that is emerging is that CBD companies are relabeling their products as ‘hemp’ only so that they don’t run into any issues selling them on the mass market via places like Amazon and Walmart,” George tells us. “In these cases, the products are the same.”
The key is to look for the words “hemp seed oil” on the ingredients list, which connotes CBD oil. If the product says “hemp extract” or just plain “hemp,” then it’s likely using ingredients from the entire hemp plant, which will dilute the concentration of CBD. “Regarding how they would affect hair, both will be beneficial in many ways,” George tells us, but notes that if you’re on the hunt for the full effects of CBD, you should “get the real deal.”
The good news is that both CBD oil and hemp are safe for anyone to use. “There is very minimal risk,” Dr. Ali says. “If anyone has an allergy to CBD, they may have a reaction, otherwise it is considered safe.”
Ahead, the best new products to give your hair a hit of CBD (or hemp seed) oil TLC.
Why CBD is the most chilled out hair treatment ever…
Why we’re buzzing about CBD in the salon
Glamour
In our ever-pressurised lives, a trip to the salon fulfills the most perfunctory of roles; namely ‘stop me looking like I’ve slept under a bush’ and ‘make my roots look less hideous, thank you please’. The nearest we get to reposing in our chairs and luxuriating in the whole experience like salon visits of yesteryear is at the backwash when we pray for that most underused of phrases; ‘would you like a head massage?’ (Who the heck ever turns down a head massage?).
But in a new era of ‘wellness’ when we’re finally cottoning on to the importance of enhancing our spiritual, physical and emotional health, should we perhaps be approaching our salon time a little differently?
Hari’s – one of London’s premier salons – certainly think so as they launch what is set to be the most blissed out treatments around harnessing the powers of raw CBD and CBDA for what they boast is a ‘transforming treatment for mind, body, hair and scalp.’
Unless you’ve been living in a nuclear bunker for the past year, it won’t have escaped your notice that CBD-infused beauty products are having a ‘moment’. Finally shedding it’s dopey connotations, cannabis has suddenly become the modern cure-oil for everything from inflammation to anxiety but Hari’s are going one step further with an experiential offering which combines a CBD tincture as well as a 100% organic, CBD-infused hair treatment.
“I’ve worked hand in hand with the CBD experts at ‘Spirit of Hemp’ to create a bespoke blend tailored to my client’s needs,” says founder Hari. “CBD has been used in eastern medicine and haircare for centuries producing incredible results, and I’m thrilled to be able to share these amazing benefits with my clients who want to rebalance & reset.”
Dubbed the ‘Spirit Of Hemp CBD Treatment’ (from £125), it starts with a few drops of CBD and CBDA oil which is held under the tongue to help promote a sense of balance, focus and calm. Next up is the exclusive CBD melange made up of a blend of pure CBD, Tamanu, MCT (from coconuts) and essential oils and which is worked into the scalp, neck and temples using a deeply calming head massage carried out by their in-house masseuse. The aim is to soothe stressed scalps, cleanse clogged pores and stimulate blood flow to encourage healthy, happy hair. And if that doesn’t make you feel far out enough, there’s an optional CBD hand and foot massage.
Like a fine tea, the treatment is then left to infuse under heat (whilst you sip some Hemp Flower tea) for maximum penetration of the oils. Designed to calm skin conditions such as eczema and reduce inflammation, you’ll leave looking and feeling like you’re walking on air (without feeling high).