The latest and most talked about ingredient on the hair loss circuit is onion juice. Let’s find out why it works and how to use it.
I first came across the idea of onion for hair growth when an elderly aunt suggested that my husband use it for a small alopecia patch on his beard area. Fast forward a month later of having applied fresh onion juice diligently on the bald patch daily, we noticed that there was new hair growth and we couldn’t even tell where the bald patch once was.
Inspired by this I have been using onion juice on my scalp on and off and the results have always been good. The trouble [like everything else] is, staying motivated enough to keep doing it.
Let’s discuss how onion juice works for hair growth, how to make it and other aspects related to it.
Why is onion juice good for hair growth
- One common reason for hair fall is a weak scalp. Onion is rich in nutrients like sulphur that nourishes the scalp, thereby strengthening the hair follicles
- A good hair massage with onion juice enhances blood circulation which will promote hair growth.
- Onions have powerful antibacterial properties which prevent dandruff and other infections.
- The sulphur content in onions also helps in preventing thinning and breakage of hair.
- Onion juice balances the pH levels of the scalp stimulating hair growth.
- Dryness and frizziness of hair contribute to hair fall. Onion is believed to be an effective remedy to treat dryness by retaining the moisture in the hair, which indirectly contributes to hair growth.
- The sulphur from onions may also help in collagen production. Collagen is the protein in your hair [also in your skin and bones]. More hair protein, means better thicker hair.
How to use onion juice for hair
- Peel off 1 onion. You can use either red or white onion.
- Blend them into fine paste or just grate it using a grater. I would just grate it using a grater as I realised you need a very little amount of juice for application on your scalp. I never used it on my hair, only scalp.
- Filter the paste using a muslin cloth or a strainer [it’s easier].
- Massage this juice directly on the scalp using your finger tips or a cotton swab.
- You can also had a few drops of soothing agents like coconut oil or aloe vera or essential oils
- Let it sit for an hour before rinsing it with mild shampoo. Do not leave it overnight on your scalp. If using on the face, for beard alopecia, you can leave it overnight.
How to get rid of onion juice smell from the hair
One of the biggest deterrent of using onion juice for hair growth is the stink. Here are some tips for you, if you don’t want to go about smelling like a marinade for a tikka curry:
- Always add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to the onion juice before applying. Rosemary essential oil is also very good to promote hair growth. So that’s two good reasons to use it. Other essential oils you can use are lavender or tea tree.
- You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to the onion juice before using it.
- After you have shampooed your hair, do a final rinse with lemon water or apple cider vinegar diluted in water.
How long does it take to work?
The result largely depends on how frequently you use it. If you cannot use it daily, use it once or twice to see effective results.
Many researchers noted that people who applied the juice frequently enough i.e. once or twice a week, observed results in six weeks time.
Side-effects of onion juice
- While onion juice is an effective remedy for hair loss, some people are by default allergic to onions and they shouldn’t use it for their hair either.
- Onion juice is very potent, so do a patch test on the first day. Apply it on a small patch of your scalp and wait to check if any itching, burning or redness. If you find any kind of irritation or redness at the site of its application, it means your scalp is not supporting the remedy.
- If you are on certain medications like aspirin, it is recommended you don’t use onion juice, because onions have the tendency to react with certain medicines and in such cases it works adversely. Hence, if you are on any kind of medications, it is suggested you first approach an expert in the field before using it.
Alternatives to fresh onion juice for hair
Have no time for blending and applying? Too busy for masks and maintenance? Do not worry. You’ve got the problem covered with onion based supplements.
The hair-care market is flooded with products that use onion as their key ingredient. These products may come in the form of onion-based shampoos, serums or oils; ultimately their aim is to curb hair fall and promote hair growth. You can also try this recipe for onion hair oil, that you can easily make at home. These supplements are combined with other potent ingredients like essential oils, aloe vera, etc which are also effective ingredients to fight hair fall. That being said, the result may not be as good as the results of onion juice itself, but they work better in comparison to other products.