Emu. Nothing to write home about.

[TreecyTresses]

I was asking a little while ago if anyone had positive results with Emu Oil because I wanted to try it.

I've been using it... and for anyone who's interested in knowing, my hair has taken a pretty crappy turn for the worse.

At first my hair got really soft and I was like YAY! But in addition to that softness came the weakness. Breakage galore. BOOOO!

Seriously, I feel like I'm back at square one and my hair was doing SOOOO good. Strong, shiny and healthy, and now... not so much.

Le Sigh.

 

[winnettag]

Sorry to hear that.
How were you using it?

 

[ILYandY]

I used emu oil back in 2003 and while I didn't use it long enough to get results I bought it after reading about the benefits of putting it on the scalp not the hair it self. I got my information from a natural cure book from readers digest.

Because I did not read that emu should be put on the hair itself that might be where the problem started, emu oil is not used as a leave-in moisturizer but more so a scalp treatment.

 

[EMJazzy]

Wow...I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I had/still have very good results from using it. I use it to oil my scalp every week. My scalp used to be very tight and unforgiving now it's very soft and move under my fingers which I believe allows for the very nice growth I've been getting. It's a staple of mine, I never allow myself to run out of it.

 

[TreecyTresses]

After a google expedition to study the benefits of emu and how best to use it, I tried a few different things. I massaged it into my scalp. I also washed my hair and used it with my conditioner then washed it out. Recently I applied it to my hair and let it stay there for a day or so before washing it out.

I've heard others have had great results using various methods, and I wish I had a great experience too. Just goes to show what works for some may not work for everyone... so I'm back to my standard regimen.

 

[Mizzchewy]

good cuz they have to kill those poor things to get the oil

 

[ILYandY]

After a google expedition to study the benefits of emu and how best to use it, I tried a few different things. I massaged it into my scalp. I also washed my hair and used it with my conditioner then washed it out. Recently I applied it to my hair and let it stay there for a day or so before washing it out.

I've heard others have had great results using various methods, and I wish I had a great experience too. Just goes to show what works for some may not work for everyone... so I'm back to my standard regimen.

The bold is the right way of thinking.

Thanks for giving details...but yeah I had to learn that the bandwagon is not good for everyone. And Emu oil was one of those oils that has many benefits and companies/people decided to put it in everything just like they did jojoba oil, argan oil and other oils that are to be used a certain way but not every way.

 

[Mook's hair]

Hmmm, I am sorry to hear that.

I really like Emu oil I've seen positive results in others too but it is meant to be used on the scalp. Not so much the hair. And I think the quality of the oil matters too. Where did you get yours, maybe it was diluted or mixed with something else.

I actually once saw a white man who was balding who used emu oil on the bald areas and small fine fuzzy hairs started sprouting after about 2 months.

What else were you using on your hair along with the emu? Maybe there were some bad combos? ? ?

Or maybe your hair just hated it. It's like that sometimes but I'm truly sorry that it caused you a setback.

 

[TreecyTresses]

Hmmm, I am sorry to hear that.

I really like Emu oil I've seen positive results in others too but it is meant to be used on the scalp. Not so much the hair. And I think the quality of the oil matters too. Where did you get yours, maybe it was diluted or mixed with something else.

I actually once saw a white man who was balding who used emu oil on the bald areas and small fine fuzzy hairs started sprouting after about 2 months.

What else were you using on your hair along with the emu? Maybe there were some bad combos? ? ?

Or maybe your hair just hated it. It's like that sometimes but I'm truly sorry that it caused you a setback.

You guys may be right. I could have taken the wrong turn when I applied it directly to my hair the last time and let it stay in for a day before washing it out. I was very pleased with the results when I applied it to my scalp and then when I used it while washing my hair but washed it out after a few minutes.

Its possible that I left it on my hair for too long the last time, making it super soft and totally weak.

If I ever decided to give it another shot, I would never apply it directly to my hair... and I would only use a few drops when washing my hair to be washed out shortly after.

But I don't think I'll be starting a relationship with Emu, it goes into my box of jump-off products.

 

[Urban]

Aww, I'm sorry it didn't work for you. Emu oil is a staple for me and I use it on my hair and scalp with great results.

It totally sucks that it caused a setback. I hope your hair recovers.

 

[Solitude]

How can an oil weaken your hair? I'm really curious because I've wanted to try Hydratherma naturals and that's a big ingredient in them.

Maybe it's okay if mixed in a "commercialized" product?

Also, is emu oil unethical? Like, does it come from an actual emu bird? ETA: Okay, did a simple search and answered my own question. That's weird. I wonder where some of these other oils are derived from?

 

[ILYandY]

How can an oil weaken your hair? I'm really curious because I've wanted to try Hydratherma naturals and that's a big ingredient in them.

Maybe it's okay if mixed in a "commercialized" product?

Also, is emu oil unethical? Like, does it come from an actual emu bird? ETA: Okay, did a simple search and answered my own question. That's weird. I wonder where some of these other oils are derived from?

Some oil can weaken your hair if it don't penetrate the hair and just sit on the hair causing the hair moisture to dry it out. Also once some oils give the hair it's benefits the hair must be washed because the oil has ran it's course and the hair will dry out and break.

For an example mineral oil is bad for the hair it does not penetrate the hair but it sits on it, but is often found in hair products as fillers and although the product may seem to work at first eventually the hair will dry out, weaken and break or shed and will weigh the hair down (which is why some people may need a good moisturizer afterward). Another example EVCO which I love and it does penetrate the hair (and help maintain the protein in the hair helping it to stay strong) but it has a course to run and must not be applied continuously without the hair being cleaned because eventually the hair will get dry and break or weaken.

I don't doubt that emu oil is not good for the hair shaft itself it's just not recommended to be used as a moisturizer. You mentioned something about emu oil being in a product you want to use and my thoughts on that is " emu oil would be better than mineral oil and some other oils" that is much more harsh on the hair causing it to dry out and become brittle" so I wouldn't be afraid to try that product you mentioned.

 

[JJamiah]

good cuz they have to kill those poor things to get the oil

Well I read some where that they kill them for other purposes and getting the Emu oil is just part of the process after they are killed for I am forgetting but I think it was for food. Then they drain the emu oil from the emu's back.

I use Emu oil occassionally on my hair but I only turn the bottle upside down and then back down and I use what ever sticks to my hand and that is all. It makes my hair soft. no issues here.

 

[TreecyTresses]

everyone thats saying they had positive results has also said they only use a little bit.

i.e., applying a little to the scalp, or a quick turn of the bottle and using whatever comes out, just using it to soften the roots, etc.

There should be a mandatory label on all bottles that says:

"EMU, A LITTLE DAB'LL DO YA."​

 

[TreecyTresses]

Aww, I'm sorry it didn't work for you. Emu oil is a staple for me and I use it on my hair and scalp with great results.

It totally sucks that it caused a setback. I hope your hair recovers.

Yeah it does suck pretty bad, but I suppose thats what the hair journey is all about... Finding what works for my hair and doesn't, how much to use, when to use it, what methods, etc.

I'm pretty early in my transitioning so I realize that I'll still be in the laboratory trying to find the right balance and ingredients for my natural hair for some time.

But it hurts when things were going really good and then I add a new product and my hair looks at me and says "If it ain't broke, don't fix it..." So I'm back to my old line-up of products that were working just fine.

Maybe I can use the emu on my skin since I have such a big bottle; heard its a miracle worker on stretch marks *(cue scary music)*