The magic elixir of onion water and healthy hair

Cardi B, the famous American female rapper, recently shared an interesting news on her Instagram about the secret to achieving healthy and beautiful hair, and it made a huge impact on social media. This news illustrates the secret of using onion juice to have healthy hair! In this regard, William Ganitz, the dermatologist and the founder of Advanced Trichology in Phoenix, Arizona, has admitted that his patients who are struggling with hair loss have been talking about this treatment and its amazing effects for years.

He says that the claims about the benefits of onion juice for hair are valid to some extent, but because there is not enough research and scientific evidence in this field, and the possibility that the improvement process with this method may occur randomly in some people or under the influence of various variables. which we are not aware of, does not support this theory 100%.

In fact, DB’s therapeutic method of using this plant was that after boiling the onion in water, he massaged the extract on his scalp. But the method suggested by Dr. Ganitz’s patients was different, they first blended the onion and then squeezed it and massaged the resulting water on their scalp before taking a bath. Many also added aromatic vegetables to this juice in order to eliminate the onion smell.

But the main issue is what does science say about this treatment? So, before you drench your hair in onion juice, join us as we review everything you need to know.

What are the benefits of onion juice for hair health?

Onions have many benefits for the skin and are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that have antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits. According to a review published in 2020 in the journal Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, these properties make onions a potential solution for reducing fungal infections that can cause dandruff. A previous study also found that onion juice can help regrow hair in people with alopecia areata, which causes hair loss.

This study included 38 men and women, one group used onion juice twice a day for two months and the other group used tap water on their heads. Of the 23 participants who used onion juice, 20 (or 87 percent) noticed regrowth within six weeks of the experiment, compared to only two in the tap water group. they did However, due to the small statistical population of this study, it was announced that more research is needed to fully understand this potential effect and ensure its accuracy.

According to Ganitz, one of the possible reasons that onion juice may be good for your hair is the significant amount of sulfur in onion juice. You’ll also find high levels of sulfur in other foods, including meat, eggs, and vegetables like garlic, according to past research. The New York Times also noted that the main reason you shed tears after chopping onions is the presence of this nutrient (sulfur). But sulfur can have other effects, Gaunitz says. Sulfur is a common OTC treatment for inflammatory skin conditions that is applied to the scalp and works for many people with inflammatory hair loss problems.

This researcher acknowledges that onion juice does not work for all types of hair loss, such as nutrient deficiency hair loss and androgenetic alopecia, and there is no research to show that onion juice can increase dihydrotestosterone levels to prevent androgenetic alopecia. suppresses Likewise, it has not been shown to increase protein or vitamin D levels at the base of the hair follicle, which can contribute to hair loss. For this reason, he suggests that in each of these cases, it is better to consult a dermatologist.

What are the possible side effects of onion juice for hair?

If you are allergic to onions, avoid topical application altogether, even in onion juice. Even if you are not allergic to it, be sure to rinse the onion juice well from your scalp to avoid irritating your scalp.

While onion smell isn’t a health-related side effect, it’s definitely not the aromatic smell you’re looking for. The good news is, Gaunitz says that shampooing after using the onion juice will eliminate the odor.

How to use onion juice for healthy hair

If you’re interested in using the onion juice remedy for your hair, Gantz recommends avoiding cooking or boiling it. “The medicinal properties come from the raw onion itself, not cooked or boiled,” he explains.

Instead, here’s a potential method, according to the New Jersey Hair Restoration Center:

• 1. Peel three to four onions and cut them into small pieces.
• 2. Extract the juice by squeezing or grating or blending them.
• 3. Apply its extract to your scalp using a cotton pad. If you want, you can add a little lemon juice if you want to remove the onion smell.
• 4. Massage it on the scalp, leave it for an hour and then rinse. Use your normal shampoo with the second rinse.

If you are wary and unsure about making onion juice, it is suggested that you get a topical hair care treatment such as onion juice shampoo, conditioner, or oil.

Onion Juice alternatives for hair

Not all experts support the onion juice trend. “While onions can be a powerful antioxidant, medically, I don’t fully endorse them because of the lack of research,” says William Yates, a hair loss specialist in Chicago. The truth is that a lot of hair loss (or lack thereof) as well as the amount of hair density in people is genetic from the parents. Apart from that, as we have seen, diseases like covid and hormonal imbalance also affect this process.

Instead, he recommends focusing on “getting enough nutrients by cutting out processed foods and choosing a diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals” and cutting out alcohol.

Conclusion

Using onion juice is a traditional way to improve the health of your scalp and the appearance of your hair. Overall, while some people claim that this method reduces dandruff and hair loss and increases shine, there is insufficient scientific research evidence to support the widespread use of onion treatments for scalp and hair problems. Although the complications of this method and its cost are low, our advice is to consult a dermatologist or trichologist before any home or chemical treatment, because not all hair-related complications can be treated by this method.