Yes, we’re about to tell you why you should put honey in your hair.
You’re probably thinking, “How is honey good for your hair? What’s next? They’re going to tell me how great bubble gum is for hair growth?”
We get it. Felt like a stretch to us at first, too.
But if you’re letting a bear-shaped bottle just go to waste in your pantry, you’re underestimating how useful the natural nectar actually is. With a little info you’ll see why it was a staple of ancient eastern medicines and why some believe it can even help with hair growth.
Does Honey Help with Hair Growth?
This is a complicated question, and so is the answer. Officially, there is no research that points to honey being a cure for hair loss.
But, putting honey in your hair can soothe several other conditions that directly lead to hair loss.
So, in some cases, using honey for hair growth can stop what’s causing you to lose your hair in the first place.
Honey can be helpful for hair growth when eaten, too.
Honey has been shown to help transport serotonin to your brain, which can promote restful sleep and alleviate stress. And if you know anything about the subject, you know just how harmful stress is for hair.
You’ll Need to Make a Honey Hair Mask
Before you reach into your pantry, grab that bottle of honey, and tip it up over your head, stop. There are a few more steps to all this.
The best way to proceed is with a honey hair mask. The idea is to mix the honey (or dilute with water a little) to make a solution that you can apply (and rinse out) easily. Otherwise you’ll be stuck washing your hair for hours on end trying to get every last bit of honey out of your hair.
Even better, there are countless ingredients you can add to boost the benefits from the honey you’ll get for your hair.
What Does Honey Do for Your Hair?
Figuring out the ingredients for your honey hair mask comes down to the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Is your hair dry? Is your scalp itchy? Are you hoping for hair growth?
No matter what you want to fix, there’s probably an ingredient you can add that’ll help. Plus, you may already have several of these in your kitchen right now.
Here’s a breakdown of the different benefits of honey used in hair care and some suggestions for ingredients you can add to see your best results.
1. Honey Conditions Your Hair
Honey is a humectant, which means it naturally pulls and retains moisture from the air. Lathering your locks in honey seals in moisture, making it a great additive for those in dry climates (there’s almost always at least a little moisture in the air).
How This Affects Hair Growth
Severe dryness can wreak havoc on your body, especially in an area like the scalp that depends on proper conditions, including hydration and nutrition, to thrive. If you’re hoping to spark hair growth and relieve dry patches on your scalp, honey may be a great place to start.
Helper Ingredients
- Coconut milk: Super-hydrating and helps thin out honey for easy rinsing
- Olive oil: Softens and moisturizes scalp, seals hair strands
- Mayonnaise: Oils seal in moisture
2. Honey Strengthens Your Hair
Honey bonds to your hair and increases its flexibility, preventing breakage in the follicles and strands. If you’ve recently bleached your hair, or you’ve experienced breakage or hair fall, you may want to give honey a try.
How This Affects Hair Growth
When applied thoroughly, the honey will strengthen your hair from the follicles to the ends, giving it bounce and life. This creates a fuller head of hair while allowing your follicles to focus on new hair growth (when possible) instead of fixing or replacing damaged portions.
Helper Ingredients
- Egg: Densely packed with strengthening proteins and oils
- Avocado: Fatty acids repair, while oils increase flexibility
- Banana: Rich in vitamins and nutrients vital to hair growth
- Coconut milk/oil: Both are rich in proteins that help rebuild damaged hair
3. Honey Cleans Your Hair
Stop thinking of the sticky mess that comes from honey because it’s one of the best natural cleaners you’ll find. And when we say clean, we mean from the root up; honey is packed with antioxidants, giving it antiseptic powers that can help with damaged skin, psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff.
If you’re looking for an easy way to try using honey in your hair care routine, make your own honey shampoo by adding a few tablespoons to your regular shampoo bottle. Then make sure to mix well. Whether you’re looking for hair growth or not, you’ll benefit from a cleaner, healthier head of hair.
How This Affects Hair Growth
Whether you’re washing hair with honey or applying it as a hair mask, the gentle exfoliating clears away dead skin cells, which helps keep your follicles unclogged. Plus, the antioxidant properties can help clear up any underlying issues that may be keeping your scalp from achieving optimal hair growth.
Helper Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar: Also a gentle exfoliant
- Yogurt: Contains citric acid which helps fight dandruff
- Avocado: Chock-full of antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene
- Extra virgin olive oil: Packed with antioxidants, this oil is a great defense against free radicals
4. Honey Balances Your Hair’s Acidity
The reason honey is so good at fighting dandruff-causing bacteria is because it’s naturally acidic. That means it may be a vital piece of your hair-care routine, whether you’re looking for hair growth or not. Making a habit of not maintaining a healthy balance in your body has been shown to have negative side effects ranging from dandruff to your hair falling out.
How This Affects Hair Growth
You’re mainly going to want to try honey for hair growth if you’re experiencing hair loss associated with skin issues like dandruff or eczema. The acid will help neutralize any bacteria without using harmful chemicals.
Helper Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar: Slightly acidic like honey, making for a more potent hair mask
- Yogurt: contains citric acid, which helps neutralize bacteria
How to Make a Honey Hair Mask for Hair Growth
If your hair doesn’t need any help in the areas listed above and you just want to try using honey for hair growth, try mixing it with some castor oil. Caster oil contains high levels of ricinoleic acid, which helps regrow hair by stimulating circulation in the scalp.
Here’s a quick and easy hair mask recipe that won’t just clean your scalp, but might just spark some hair growth.
- Mix half a cup of caster oil with 2 tablespoons of honey
- Massage into your scalp and work through to the ends
- Leave on under a shower cap for 30 minutes
- Rinse out with warm to hot water
Believe the Buzz about Honey and Hair Care
Considering everything it does for your body, honey is also a great way to naturally care for your scalp and hair. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and pairs well with other easy-to-find ingredients, making it a perfect way to achieve better scalp health.
And for all intents and purposes, maybe even for your hair growth.
