There is strong evidence to support that the use of onions for topical hair treatments can help treat hair loss.
Rich in nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B6, potassium and numerous other compounds.
The beauty benefits of onions have been associated with stronger hair roots, faster hair growth and an overall improved appearance of your mane.
When used in the form of an oil, this potent remedy can serve as a strong anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, antioxidant and antibacterial treatment for your scalp and hair.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of onion oil for the hair in detail:
1. Optimises the hair growth cycle
Onion oil is capable of activating certain enzymes on your scalp, which helps optimise the hair growth cycle. This results in faster hair growth and inhibiting hair fall for a healthier-looking mane.
2. Prevents breakage and thinning
Rich in sulfur, onion oil can do wonders to prevent breakage, split-ends and thinning of hair. This happens because the sulfur is able to form bonds in your hair that are required for strengthening the strands.
3. Delays premature greying
Certain enzymes in onion oil can prevent free radical damage in your hair, which helps in delaying premature greying.
4. Maintains pH levels of the scalp
The key to healthy hair is a nourished and balanced scalp, which onion oil can help with, by maintaining the pH levels of your scalp.
5. Fights bacterial infections
Regular use of onion oil on the scalp can help prevent bacterial infections, keeping dandruff and itchiness at bay.
6. Can be used as a natural conditioner
Using a conditioner prior to washing your hair can ensure that your shampoo does not strip your scalp of moisture. This is where onion oil can be used as a natural conditioner.
7. Improves hair texture
Regular use of onion oil can make your tresses shiny, smooth, moisturised and frizz-free!
How to extract onion oil at home
If you do not wish to use store-bought onion oil, you can DIY it instead. Start by picking a couple of fresh onions, the number depends on how much oil you wish to make in one session. Finely chop the onion and add them to a grinder or juice maker. Keep the juice/paste aside to prepare the oil.
Take some coconut oil in a non-stick pan and gently heat it on low flame. Add the onion juice/paste in the oil and mix well for 1-2 minutes. Take it off the flame to cool it down. With the help of a strainer, extract the oil and store in a non-metallic container for use. Homemade onion oil can be stored safely and used for up to 6 months.
How to use onion oil for the hair
Onion can be used both ways, as it is and in the form of a hot oil treatment. To use onion oil without heating it, take a couple of drops of pure onion oil in your palms and massage your scalp with it for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to be gentle with the pressure and use a circular motion to really get the oil into the scalp. Leave the oil on for 3-4 hours and wash with a mild shampoo. Do this twice a week for best results.
While using a hot oil treatment, mix onion oil with a carrier oil (like almond or olive), heat it up to a lukewarm temperature and massage onto the scalp and hair lengths. Keep it overnight and wash with a mild, sulphate-free shampoo in the morning. Follow up with a conditioner; repeat before every hair wash for luscious, thick hair.
