Another honey
article:
Benefits Of Honey For Hair + 15 DIY Hair Masks
Medically reviewed by Vd. Naveen Sharma, Ayurveda Physician
September 10, 2020 by Anjali Sayee
Most of us are aware of honey as an alternative sweetener. But did you know that slathering this sticky, sweet substance onto your hair can help?
Honey is a favorite ingredient to use in hair packs. However, it may also promote hair growth. In this article, we discuss how honey can benefit your hair. We have also listed various DIY hair masks that could enhance your hair health.
Why Is Honey Good For Your Hair?
- Honey is an emollient. It seals the moisture in your hair, keeping it conditioned and shiny (1). This reduces breakage, which is often a cause of slower hair growth. Honey could work better for women naturally curly hair or dry hair.
- Honey is said to promote hair growth, though there is not enough scientific evidence to support this. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of honey stimulating hair growth.
- Honey has rich antioxidant properties that prevent damage, keeping your scalp and hair healthy (2).
- Honey, being a humectant and containing proteins, minerals and vitamins, strengthens the hair follicles, curbing hair fall and baldness (1), (3).
- Honey has antibacterial qualities. It may help prevent scalp infections and soothe issues like dandruff, eczema, etc. (2).
- Honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase, which starts the oxidation of glucose and forms hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial properties (4). It may fight related infections pertaining to the scalp and hair.
- Honey may act as a cleanser. Certain shampoos contain honey. Anecdotal evidence suggests that honey can remove the impurities from the scalp and minimize clogging. Some believe that honey also stimulates hair regrowth from dormant follicles. However, there is no research to support this.
Here’s a list of 15 honey hair masks that could help promote hair growth.
Honey For Hair Growth – 15 Homemade Masks
1. Coconut Oil And Honey Mask
Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft and nourishes the hair from within (
5). Due to its penetrative properties, it reduces protein loss. It creates a thin coat around the hair shaft and protects it from UV damage (
5). When paired with honey, it nourishes and strengthens the hair (
3).
You Will Need
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- Processing Time
- 15 minutes
Process
- If you have shoulder length hair, blend half a cup of coconut oil (for shoulder length hair) with half a cup of honey. For those who have longer or shorter hair, adjust the proportions accordingly.
- Massage this into your hair thoroughly and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the mask out with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
2. Egg And Honey Hair Mask
Eggs are packed with the right proteins your hair needs to grow (
6). The yolk is known to stimulate hair growth in human hair follicle dermal cells (
7). This pack provides your follicles with the nourishment required for healthy hair growth (
3).
You Will Need
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process
- Beat two whole eggs and add half a cup of honey to the mixture.
- Mix the ingredients until you get a smooth consistency.
- Apply the mixture to your hair, starting at the roots and working your way to the tips.
- Cover your head with a shower cap and wait for 20 minutes.
- Rinse the mask out with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Three times a month.
3. Olive Oil And Honey Hair Mask Recipe
Olive oil has been used in hair care products for a very long time. It contains fatty acids like oleic acid, which help strengthen hair. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help keep fungal infections at bay (
8). Olive oil was also found to be a natural conditioner (
3).
You Will Need
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional)
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process
- Blend half a cup of honey and a quarter cup of olive oil and microwave for 30 seconds.
- Once the mixture has cooled, add a quarter cup of buttermilk and stir.
- Apply this mixture evenly all over your hair.
- Leave the honey mask on for about 30 minutes.
- Wear a plastic cap to prevent dripping.
- Rinse out the mask with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Three times a month.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar And Honey Hair Mask
Apple cider vinegar is a hair care remedy that many people swear by. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of apple cider vinegar stimulating hair growth although there is little to no scientific research on it. A study done in Palestine showed that the vinegar from apple acts as a hair cleanser and reduces split ends, hair loss, balding, dandruff, lice, scalp acne, and scabies (
3).
You Will Need
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Processing Time
15 minutes
Process
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Apply the mask to your hair and scalp.
- Leave it in for 15 minutes.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
5. Avocado And Honey Hair Mask
Avocados have been used in the hair care products for years. They have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (
9). These could help keep hair clean and healthy. They are packed with antioxidants that may prevent damage and boost scalp health. They also contain oils that could nourish and condition your hair (
3).
You Will Need
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup honey
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process
- Blend half a cup of honey with one ripe avocado.
- Apply this mixture evenly to coat the full length of your hair.
- Leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can wear a shower cap to avoid a mess.
- Shampoo and rinse off with a honey solution.
How Often?
Once a week.
6. Yogurt And Honey Hair Mask
Yogurt may
increase hair thickness and hair growth (
10). It could also be used to treat hair damage and hair loss (
3).
You Will Need
- 1 cup sour yogurt
- 1/2 cup honey
Processing Time
15 minutes
Process
- Blend a cup of sour yogurt with half a cup of honey until you get a smooth mixture.
- Start applying the mixture to your hair from the roots to the tips.
- Wear a shower cap to avoid a mess and wait for 15 minutes.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
7. Banana And Honey Hair Mask Recipe
Bananas are great sources of vitamins B6 and C and potassium. These nutrients are essential for healthy hair growth (
11), (
12).
Note: Banana could get stuck to the hair and is hard to wash off. Make sure you mash the banana well so there are no chunks or bits left behind. You can increase the amount of olive oil to make the mixture smoother.
You Will Need
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process
- Blend the ingredients until they turn into a smooth, consistent mixture.
- Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp evenly.
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wear a shower cap to avoid making a mess.
- Rinse the mask out with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.
- Comb through the hair to get rid of banana chunks. Rinse again.
How Often?
Once in two weeks.
8. Organic Honey Mask Recipe
Honey is an effective cleanser, and when combined with shampoo, it is easy to use and can make for a potent treatment for hair growth (
2).
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon shampoo
Processing Time
5 minutes
Process
- In a jug, combine a tablespoon of honey and shampoo (each), and dilute the mixture with some water.
- Rinse your hair with water and then use the honey shampoo mixture to wash it.
- Rinse the shampoo out with cool or lukewarm water.
How Often?
Once a week.
9. Honey And Water Mask
This is a great conditioning mix, especially if you have curly or kinky hair.
You Will Need
- 9 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon honey
Processing Time
3 hours
Process
- Dilute a tablespoon of honey with nine tablespoons of water in a bowl and stir until well combined.
- Massage the diluted honey into your scalp and work it through your hair until it is covered from the root to the tip.
- Leave the honey on your hair for 3 hours. Wear a shower cap to avoid a mess.
- Rinse the mask out with cool/lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
10. Aloe Vera And Honey Hair Mask
Aloe vera has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties (
13). Some believe these could help keep dandruff and alopecia at bay. It also contains vitamins B2 ,B6, and folic acid that may help in hair growth. This mask gets rid of dandruff while soothing the scalp and balancing pH.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process
- Combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
- Apply the mask to your hair and scalp.
- Leave it on for 15- 20 minutes.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
11. Coconut Milk And Honey Hair Mask
Coconut milk contains essential fats and proteins that your hair needs for growth. It, along with honey, can condition your hair.
You Will Need
- 200 g coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
Processing Time
1 hour
Process
- In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
- Apply the mask to your hair and scalp.
- Leave it in for an hour.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Two times a week.
12. Castor Oil And Honey Hair Mask
Castor oil is one of the best oils you can use to boost hair growth. It contains vitamins and fatty acids needed for hair growth. It is also antifungal, meaning it fights off scalp infections.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
- 1 whole egg
Processing Time
1 hour
Process
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
- Apply the mask to your hair and scalp.
- Leave it on for an hour.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Two to three times a week.
13. Mayonnaise, Avocado, And Honey Hair Mask
Mayonnaise is a mixture of egg, vinegar, and oil (
14). It contains oils and fatty acids that are essential for healthy hair growth. This, combined with the antioxidant properties of avocado and honey, could make for an excellent hair mask.
You Will Need
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 tablespoon honey
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process
- Mash a ripe avocado in a bowl until it is free of lumps.
- Sdd a cup of mayo and a tablespoon of honey to the mashed avocado. Mix until well combined.
- Apply the mask to your hair and scalp.
- Leave it in for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week for normal hair and two times a week for dry hair.
14. Oatmeal And Honey Hair Mask
Oatmeal has soothing properties that can relieve itchiness and irritation (
15). If you have an aggravated scalp, this mask can soothe and cleanse it. Maintaining scalp health is crucial for healthy hair growth.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons oatmeal
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
Processing Time
20-25 minutes
Process
- Blend the ingredients together to get a smooth, consistent mixture.
- Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Ensure that your hair is detangled before you start the application.
- Leave it on for 20-25 minutes.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Two times a week.
15. Potato, Egg Yolk, And Honey Hair Mask
Potato juice, like honey, has
properties that promote hair growth. When combined with egg yolk, it makes for a hair growth mask that also conditions your hair well. This mask is recommended for dry hair type.
You Will Need
- 1 potato
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon honey
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process
- Extract the juice from one potato and add the egg yolk and honey to it.
- Mix all the ingredients until you get a smooth, consistent mixture.
- Apply the mask to your hair and scalp.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with cool or lukewarm water and shampoo.
How Often?
Once a week.
Is Honey Safe for Hair?
Honey is known for its high nutrient value and its many health benefits. The major issue with honey is it tends to stick very fast and could remove hair when pulled. Using water or oils to make honey more creamy can prevent this.
Dealing with hair fall is never easy, but a bottle of honey could make all the difference. These hair masks are simple to prepare and easy to use. But as research on the efficacy of honey in promoting hair growth is limited, consult your dermatologist before you try out these masks.