Is This Onion Water Hack the Secret to Healthy Hair, Cardi B recently ignited social media when she posted on Instagram to reveal an unorthodox method for maintaining healthy hair: onion water. The musician claims the do-it-yourself, at-home treatment has made her hair shinier after just two washes, and the purported before-and-after photos she posted to Instagram are unquestionably impressive. Although, according to Paper Magazine, she is the first female rapper to receive three diamond single certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America, she was not the first to apply the at-home hair treatment.
Many fans who went to Cardi B’s comments section applauded the musician for using the natural treatment because it is firmly ingrained in Dominican culture and ayurvedic practices (although it is unknown where the practice began). Yet according to William Gaunitz, a licensed trichologist and owner of Advanced Trichology in Phoenix, Arizona, his patients who are experiencing hair loss have been talking about using this natural remedy for years.
According to Gaunitz, assertions of onion water’s advantages for hair “have validity to some extent.” He does, nevertheless, express some reservations about the method because “it’s susceptible to a random recipe” with a “range of variables” that may or may not be effective. While Cardi B’s hack involves cooking onions and utilizing the resulting water, Gaunitz says that he has come across patients who have blended onions to create a juice-like liquid, which they then apply to their scalps and wash off in the shower.
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Others mince the vegetable and incorporate it into their shampoo. For Pure Wow writer Angie Martinez-Tejada, who heard about the alleged trick from her Dominican mother, this is the case. She first used an onion shampoo, which she claims hides any leftover onion smell, and then she used another shampoo. But what does science have to say about this scandalous trick? Here, we break down everything you need to know before you douse your hair in onion water.
What Are the Health Benefits of Onion Water for Hair?
The health benefits of onions suggest the food may provide a variety of advantages for the hair. Kerry Yates, a trichologist and the creator of Dallas-based Color Collective, claims that onions have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties since they are high in antioxidants and flavonoids. These characteristics make it a viable treatment for dandruff-causing fungal infections, she continues. The antifungal and antimicrobial activity of onion extract and onion essential oils was mentioned in a review article published in 2020 in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, despite the dearth of high-quality studies on how these qualities affect your scalp.
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While there is little evidence on the practical uses of onions for hair, a previous study found that participants with the hair-loss condition alopecia areata may benefit from using onion water to encourage hair regrowth. During two months, 38 women and men in the study applied onion juice or tap water twice daily to their scalps. At six weeks into the research, 20 of the 23 persons who consumed onion juice (or 87 percent) had experienced regrowth, compared to only two in the tap water group. However, because of the study’s limited sample size, more analysis is required to completely comprehend this possible impact.
One reason why onion juice might benefit your hair is? According to Gaunitz, onion water has a very high sulfur concentration. According to prior study, you can also find large levels of sulfur in other foods like meat, eggs, cruciferous vegetables, and other alliaceous vegetables like garlic. After slicing onions, this vitamin makes you cry, according to The New York Times. But it can also have additional consequences, according to Gaunitz: “Sulfur works for many people who have inflammatory hair loss difficulties because it is a frequent OTC treatment for inflammatory skin diseases when applied to the scalp.” Be aware, however, that not all types of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia and hair loss brought on by nutrient inadequacies, will respond favorably to onion water, according to Gaunitz. There is no evidence to support the idea that onion juice could reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone to ward off androgenetic alopecia. Also, it hasn’t been demonstrated to increase vitamin D or protein levels at the base of hair follicles, which could contribute to nutrient-related hair loss. It’s preferable to seek advice from a licensed dermatologist or trichologist in either of those situations.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Onion Water for Hair?
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Yates cautions against using onions topically if you have an onion allergy. This includes using onion water. In order to avoid irritation, make sure to fully wash the onion water out of your scalp, even if you are not allergic to onions. (The Environmental Working Group says it’s improbable but not impossible that it could irritate your skin.) Although while smelling like onions isn’t a negative health effect, it’s probably not the scent you’re going for. The good news, according to Gaunitz, is that when shampoo is used, “the onion scent should come right out” after rinsing.
How to Use Onion Water for Healthy Hair
Gaunitz advises against heating or boiling them if you’re interested in trying the onion water hair cure. The raw onion itself contains the [theoretical] therapeutic characteristics, he says.
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Alternatively, the New Jersey Hair Restoration Clinic suggests the following alternative approach:
- Peel and chop three to four onions into small pieces.
- Extract the juice by squeezing or blending them.
- Apply the juice to your scalp using a cotton pad. Optionally, adds Yates, you can add a little lemon juice if you want to offset the smell of the onion.
- Massage it into the scalp, let it sit for an hour, and then rinse. Follow with a second cleanse of your usual shampoo.
Yates advises choosing a topical haircare treatment like shampoo, conditioner, or oil containing onion juice if you’re hesitant to make your own onion water solution.
Hair-Healthy Alternatives to Onion Water
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Not every expert supports the onion water fad. While onions can be a potent antioxidant, William Yates, MD, a hair loss surgeon in Chicago, advises against putting too much faith in the newest social media craze or a product that celebrities swear by. The reality is that a large portion of your hair growth (or lack thereof) is predetermined by your genes. Your hair density is largely established based on inherited qualities from your parents, with the exception of sickness, which we saw happen quite frequently with COVID, and hormone abnormalities.
The focus should be on “getting enough nutrition by avoiding processed foods and choosing a diet high in protein, vitamins, and minerals,” he recommends. Similar recommendations are made by The Cleveland Clinic to stop hair loss, emphasizing that a Mediterranean diet and foods high in protein may be especially helpful. Regarding your hair-care regimen, Dr. Yates suggests eliminating any harsh chemicals like phthalates, sulfates, and alcohol.
The Takeaway
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It’s not a new idea to use onion water to enhance the health of your scalp and the beauty of your hair; this practice has roots in both Dominican and Ayurvedic traditions. However, there is not enough scientific data to support the widespread use of onion therapies for scalp and hair problems, despite some claims that they help alleviate dandruff, stop hair loss, and increase shine. Consult a dermatologist or trichologist before attempting the DIY therapy because not all hair issues can benefit from it, even though the theoretical risk and expense are modest.
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