If you’re ever stuck trying to figure out what to do with egg yolks you have laying around after a recipe, we have an idea for you (and no, it’s not deviled eggs).
Egg shampoo.
Yes, seriously.
Egg treatments for hair care—often referred to as an egg hair mask—have recently gained a reputation as being rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for soothing common issues such as itchy scalp and dry hair. Plus, using egg for hair care can have a huge impact on your hair loss; not only does it slow hair fall, some of its ingredients have been shown to actually spark hair growth.
And it’s not just the egg yolk that can be used in your egg hair treatment — the egg whites are packed with proteins that, when used with egg yolks, can strengthen hair follicles and condition your hair.
Here’s why you should consider adding eggs to your hair treatment today.
Why Is Egg Good for Your Hair?
Eggs are surprisingly controversial, and most of the debate centers on the medical community’s ever-changing opinion on cholesterol; one week they’re an essential source of good cholesterol, the next they’re as healthy as a slab of bacon.
What can’t be argued, however, are all the nutritional benefits of raw eggs, including:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: While the research may be limited, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to thicken hair and limit hair fall and hair loss. Most of this happens through creating and nurturing healthy scalp cells. Best of all, this can be achieved by applying omega-3s topically (as in an egg wash for hair maybe?).
- Sulfur: There have been some promising studies on the effects of sulfur for hair growth, especially when used in egg oil for hair. Sulfur’s anti-aging properties make it great for wrinkles and even hair loss.
- Iron: It’s not so much that the iron in egg yolks is great for hair growth; rather, a deficiency in your body’s iron levels can literally cause your hair to fall out, making the mineral kind of essential for a healthy head of hair.
- Amino acids: There are nine essential amino acids that our bodies need but can’t produce, meaning we must get them from our food. Eggs have all nine. Even better, some of them are great for your hair, even topically. Histidine and phenylalanine bond with the shafts above the hair follicles, making the hair stronger. Arginine, not an essential amino acid but still contained in eggs, is a wonderful option to condition your hair, even working on bleach-damaged hair.
- Choline: Just one egg contains nearly a quarter of your body’s daily need of this nutrient, which has been shown to promote strong cell membranes. Just another reason to apply egg for hair care.
- Protein: Guess what hair is made of—yup, protein. And you know what eggs are packed full of, right? Correct again—protein! While most of the benefits come from actually consuming protein, applying it to your hair via an egg hair mask for damaged hair can fortify the individual strands, making it stronger and appear fuller.
- Lecithin: When used topically, lecithin has super-hydrating properties, so much so that some have even figured out how to use it for eczema and acne. No wonder using an egg conditioner for hair care is getting so popular.
- Vitamins and minerals: This is a bit of a catch-all, but eggs are rich in too many other nutrients to list individually. You can find vitamins D, E, A and K, as well as zinc, copper, and biotin, which has been shown to help the body produce keratin and help the skin, fingernails, and, yes, hair growth.
When to Use an Egg Yolk or an Egg White for Hair
For those seeking an egg treatment for hair growth, feel free to keep the egg yolk and egg white together and scramble away; many of the ingredients listed above make a great case for trying an egg for hair loss.
Many users, however, have discovered that separating the egg yolks from the whites and applying to your hair separately can have just as much effect.
Examples are provided below.
Egg white: If you have oily hair, some experts will suggest you condition your hair with egg whites instead of egg yolks because the yolks tend to be thicker and more viscous, while the whites are more easily washed out. Despite the absence of yolk, you can still apply egg whites to your hair as an egg hair mask. If you do, you’ll get a healthy shot of magnesium, potassium, and sodium. You simply get more nutrients when you use an egg for hair care.
Egg yolk: While the whites are typically better on normal, healthy hair, the egg yolk contains most of the nutrition that have most people using this part of the egg for hair growth. The omega-3 fatty acids in egg yolks have been shown to promote tissue healing and can even prevent skin cancer development. These healing properties have proven so potent that, even if you suffer from bleach-damaged hair, applying egg yolks to your hair can rejuvenate your hair follicles and help moisturize dry hair and an itchy scalp.
No wonder why people swear by using egg yolk for hair growth.
So, if you’re trying to figure out how to use eggs for hair care, start by thinking about what you want to achieve.
Are you looking to just condition your hair? Do you want to improve your shine? Grow your hair?
You can do all this and more.
Let’s dive in and learn how you can begin by using an egg for hair growth.
How to Apply an Egg on Hair for Hair Growth
For those suffering hair loss, eggs may be just the ingredient your recipe for regrowth has been missing. Those who use egg for hair growth generally say to apply an egg to your hair via packs or masks.
How to apply eggs on hair with a mask: Think of this as a way to deep condition your hair rather than a way to use an egg for hair growth. Start with 2–3 eggs and mix thoroughly. Wash with your normal shampoo. Then, add the eggs to your hair while still wet and comb through. Wait anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing out with cool water.
How to apply eggs on hair with a pack: Many people who use eggs for hair growth use this method. You’ll need a shower cap and some extra time. The basic concept is to take 2–3 eggs (whether it’s just the egg yolks, whites, or all together), mix them up and then apply the batter directly onto your dry hair and scalp. Put the cap on and let it set for 20–30 minutes before rinsing it out with cool water.
Whether you’re looking to regrow your hair or repair your existing strands, it’s always a good idea to consider a holistic approach. And, as with many holistic home remedies, the recipe for adding eggs to your hair allows room for some improvisation.
Many people prefer to add essential oils to combat the egg smell. Others treat their hair packs like an omelette station at Sunday brunch, adding avocado, olive oil, ginger and lemon.
No matter what else goes in your egg batter, you’ll end up with a shiny, soft, and strong head of hair.
Conclusion
Given their density and some of the best nutrients we can put in—and on—our bodies, using eggs to promote a healthy, holistic head of hair is a low-risk, high-reward option to try. Those with oily or dry hair, with an itchy scalp, or who are experiencing thinning hair may find this to be a low-cost, all-natural solution they’ve been looking for.
