Onions are rich in a number of hair-nourishing minerals and vitamins that can help your tresses grow long and strong. These include vitamins C and B6, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and germanium, but most importantly sulfur.
Hair is composed of a protein called keratin, which contains high concentrations of sulfur. This mineral adds strength and elasticity to the hair so that it does not break easily. Plus, it activates hair follicles and stimulates keratin synthesis to facilitate faster hair growth and repair hair damage.
Sulfur is also known to promote blood circulation under the scalp to improve nutrient delivery to the hair follicles. Not just that, sulfur can help relieve scalp inflammation, allowing proper hair follicle activity.
Thus, the sulfur along with the other hair nutrients found in onion juice can help improve the quality, appearance, and volume of your hair. (1)(2)
Through this article, you will learn more about how to apply onion juice to your hair.
Ways to Apply Onion Juice to Hair
Here are some easy ways to use and apply onion juice for reaping its various hair care benefits.
1. Dilute it
Onion juice can be slightly caustic in concentrated amounts, which is why applying it directly to the sensitive skin of the scalp may result in redness and irritation. Therefore, you should dilute it with a little bit of water to cut down its potency before topical use.
Alternatively, you can mix it with some green tea, which is full of antioxidants that help relieve any scalp inflammation caused by onion juice while also nourishing the hair follicles and strands.
How to use:
- Put 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed raw onion juice in a bowl and mix in 2 tablespoons of water or green tea.
- Massage this mixture into the scalp.
- Leave it on for about half an hour before shampooing.
- Use this remedy at least twice a week.
2. Mix it with hair oil
Onion juice when combined with coconut oil makes for a great hair loss remedy.
The abundant sulfur found in onion juice is used by the body to produce amino acids. These amino acids come together to form keratin, which is the main hair-building protein. Thus, onion juice stimulates hair growth in this way.
Coconut oil hydrates the scalp and hair while also supplying extra nutrients to the hair follicles. Plus, it exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the scalp and make it conducive to healthy hair growth.
How to use:
- Pour 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed raw onion juice, and ½ teaspoon of vitamin E oil (optional) in a bowl and mix well.
- Gently massage this mixture into your scalp for a couple of minutes.
- Leave it on for 20–30 minutes before washing it off.
- Apply this remedy once a week.
Alternative:
If coconut oil is not available, you can use olive oil instead. You can even blend both these oils with onion juice for added hair benefits.
3. Use it in a hair mask
You can make an enriching hair mask by mixing onion juice, hibiscus powder, and Greek yogurt. All of these ingredients provide various hair benefits.
Hibiscus powder is loaded with vitamin C, which triggers collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is a structural protein that provides the amino acids needed to produce the hair-building protein called keratin. Thus, vitamin C can indirectly stimulate hair formation and hair repair. (3)
Plus, collagen builds new skin cells to strengthen, tighten, and repair the scalp skin surrounding the hair follicles, which helps secure your hair roots. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that curbs the damaging activity of free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable reactive molecules that attack healthy cells in the body, including the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) that give your hair its color. If left unchecked, this kind of free radical-induced cellular damage can lead to premature graying of hair.
Yogurt is also enriched with such antioxidants that protect your hair from free radical damage. Antioxidants also help relieve scalp inflammation and thus promote healthy hair growth. Moreover, yogurt contains several other nutrients that nourish the hair follicles so that they can produce healthy, strong, shiny, and smooth hair. (4)
A common hair problem is dandruff, which is mostly caused by the overgrowth of yeast on the scalp, and yogurt can help address this issue. First, it is credited with antifungal properties that can help fight the overgrowth of commensal yeasts by balancing scalp pH. (5) Second, it works as an anti-inflammatory agent to help soothe the scalp irritation, flaking, inflammation, and itching associated with this condition.
How to use:
- Put 4–5 tablespoons of hibiscus powder, 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt, and 2–3 tablespoons of onion juice in a bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients well to make a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste to your scalp and hair.
- Put on a shower cap or wrap a cloth around your head to seal the mask.
- Leave it on for 1–2 hours before rinsing it off with a gentle shampoo.
4. Add it to a hair scrub
You can prepare a hair scrub by adding granular ingredients such as ground oatmeal and almond powder to onion juice.
Both oatmeal (6) and almond powder are mildly abrasive and thus gently exfoliate the scalp without irritating it or stripping away its natural oils to cause undue dryness. They remove the excess sebum, cellular debris, dirt, and other impurities settled on the scalp, allowing the hair follicles to breathe and receive proper nourishment.
Plus, this kind of deep cleanse is necessary to prevent microbial growth on the scalp, which can result in infections such as dandruff.
Oatmeal also works as a hydrating and anti-inflammatory agent that keeps the scalp healthy and comfortable. Plus, the scrubbing action stimulates blood circulation under the scalp, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles for better hair growth.
How to use:
- Put 3–4 tablespoons of onion juice, 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal, and 1 tablespoon of almond powder in a bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients to make a thick paste.
- Shampoo your hair to get rid of any previously applied hair products.
- Apply the paste to your scalp. And gently scrub it using circular motions.
- Finish with a thorough hair rinse.
5. Use it as a hair rinse
You can use onion juice directly as a hair rinse after diluting it with some water.
How to use:
- Mix equal quantities of water and onion juice.
- After your regular hair wash, pour this solution all over your hair and scalp. Do it slowly, using small amounts to avoid wastage.
- Wait for the juice to dry before rinsing it off with some warm water and shampoo.
- Apply a serum afterward to give your hair extra shine.
6. Add it to shampoo
You can also add onion juice to your shampoo.
How to use:
- Mix equal quantities of onion juice and your regular shampoo.
- Apply the mixture to hair and scalp.
- Massage it in for 2–3 minutes, followed by a thorough rinse.
How to Extract Onion Juice
- Peel 1 medium size onion and wash them.
- Cut the peeled onions into little pieces.
- Drop the pieces into a blender to make a thick smooth paste.
- Pour the paste through a muslin cloth or strainer to separate the juice from the pulp. Place a clean container under the cloth to collect the juice in.
- Press the pulp on the cloth to squeeze out as much juice as possible.
Hair Benefits of Onion Juice
Onion juice can help improve hair health in the following ways:
Most-Asked Questions
Can I store onion juice?
No, it should be prepared fresh for every application.
Should I wash my hair before applying onion juice?
The nutrients in onion juice are better absorbed by a clean, dry scalp than when it’s greasy or damp. This is because the oil and moisture covering the scalp can block the product from seeping into the scalp properly.
So, it’s best not to wash your hair before applying onion juice.
Is onion juice harmful to the hair?
Onion juice is not harmful to the hair or scalp, so long as it is used in recommended amounts. It contains certain caustic compounds that can dry out and damage the scalp and hair if used excessively.
Some people may experience a light degree of scalp redness, itching, and irritation even after applying the proper amount, but these side effects are largely harmless and will subside after a while. However, people with pre-existing scalp conditions should consult their dermatologists before trying this remedy.
Plus, everyone must do a patch test before full application in order to rule out any allergies.
Final Word
Onion juice is good for your hair in more ways than one but only when used properly and as part of a holistic hair care regimen. It can make your hair strong, thick, and shiny while also fighting premature graying and scalp infections.
The only downside may be the pungent smell it leaves behind, but that’s only temporary and a very small price to pay for the benefits you are getting.
