The properties of pequi oil for hair?

Feelings of tightness, itching, frequent flaking... These are the main signs of a dry or irritated scalp . To remedy this, it may be beneficial to apply a few drops of pequi oil and gently massage your scalp, to help the oil penetrate, before shampooing within the following hour. Indeed, in addition to its moisturising properties, this ingredient acts on various parameters of inflammation to regulate them downwards, thus helping to soothe the skin.

Through its fatty acids, piqui oil is capable ofinhibiting the synthesis of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and interleukins 1β and 6 (IL-1β and IL-6). This vegetable oil can also act on the cellular signalling pathway mediated by Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR-4). Expressed on the membrane of immune system cells, these stimulate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) to initiate the genetic transcription of several pro-inflammatory mediators. Finally, it has been shown that the linoleic acid in piqui oil can suppress the activities of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2), enzymes catalysing the formation of inflammatory prostaglandins.

Rich in tocopherols and carotenoids, antioxidants, thepiqui oil protects the hair from oxidative stress. To remind, oxidative stress refers to a situation of imbalance within the body's cells where the number of free radicals greatly exceeds the number of antioxidants. Free radicals are naturally created during cellular metabolism but an excess can be generated during exposure to UV rays, pollution or tobacco.

Several studies have shown that oxidative stress is harmful to the scalp and hair, and can promote the onset of white hair and hair loss. By altering the visco-elastic properties of the fibres, free radicals can also accelerate the formation of split ends. To protect the hair from these various harmful effects, it may be beneficial to regularly apply piqui oil, which is rich in antioxidants.

Pequi oil is finally attributed with antibacterial properties, useful for keeping the populations of microorganisms on the scalp under control. These properties are believed to come from its fatty acids and their detergent effects. Indeed, these compounds can solubilise lipids and proteins from the bacterial membrane, thereby causing a rupture of structures, which affects the essential metabolic processes for obtaining energy for the bacteria and compromises its ability to absorb nutrients.

The antibacterial properties of piqui oil have been demonstrated in a study conducted with several bacterial cultures. Among the various pathogens tested, we can notably mention Staphylococcus aureus, found in skin cells. Scientists measured a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.25%. This value corresponds to the lowest concentration of pequi oil capable of inhibiting the growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Although further research is needed to confirm this, it can be cautiously assumed that the sanitising effect of piqui oil extends to other microorganisms inhabiting the scalp, and potentially to the fungus Malassezia, involved in the occurrence of dandruff.