Be it shampoos or conditioners – you will find beer in almost all hair care products. The easiest way to use beer for hair is to use it as a post-wash rinse. However, there are several other ways to incorporate beer into your hair care routine. If this has piqued your interest and you want to give it a try, scroll down to know how beer as a natural remedy, may benefit your hair and how to use it.
Is Beer Any Good For Your Hair?
There is no scientific proof to back this claim. However, anecdotal evidence claims that beer is good for hair whether you drink it or use it to rinse your hair. Who Can Use It? It is considered safe for all hair types. How Often? You may use DIY beer hair masks once a week. Caution Frequent use of beer may lighten your hair.
The possible reason could be the protein, B vitamins, and antioxidants like flavonoids in beer (1). These nutrients may impact your overall health and hair health. In the next section, let’s take a closer look at the nutrients present in beer.
Beneficial Nutrients In Beer
Beer is rich in:
1. Minerals
Beer contains selenium and is a good source of silicon (2). Selenium deficiency is linked to hair pigment loss, and silicon deficiency may cause hair loss (3), (4).
2. B Vitamins
Beer is rich in B vitamins, and vitamin B12 prevents premature graying (1), (5).
3. Zinc, Folate, Biotin, Vitamin D, And Calcium
Beer contains essential nutrients like zinc, folate, biotin, calcium, and vitamin D (6). All these elements are crucial for maintaining hair health. Lack of these nutrients may trigger androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium and cause hair loss and hair damage (7). A study conducted on 1255 patients with alopecia areata and 784 non-alopecia participants found a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and alopecia areata. It was seen that about 73.8% to 84.6% of AA participants had lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D than non-AA patients. You might be wondering that if beer is rich in hair-beneficial nutrients, does that mean it can promote hair growth? Read the next section for find out.
Does Beer Promote Hair Growth?
There is no scientific proof that beer promotes hair growth. It contains essential nutrients that play a crucial role in reducing hair fall and managing conditions like alopecia and telogen effluvium. Hence, beer may have some beneficial effects on your hair health. However, that does not mean beer can be a substitute for a well-balanced diet and therapies. Consult a doctor if you are experiencing severe hair fall or other hair-related issues. Beer is also believed to minimize dandruff. Is it true? Find out in the next section.
Is Beer Helpful For Dandruff?
This is a popular belief that does not have any scientific backing. Many people rinse their hair with beer and claim that it helps get rid of dandruff. The fact is, dandruff is a fungal infection caused by Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus. While there is no proof of the antifungal activity of beer, you can try and see if it can help. Keep reading to find out how exactly you can use a beer for your hair.
How To Use Beer On Hair
1. Beer Rinse
A post-shampoo beer rinse may make the hair soft, silky, and shiny. Ingredients
200 ml beer
Process Rayna, a natural hair blogger, was surprised to discover how a beer rinse could help nourish her damaged hair. “I noticed a difference in my curls after doing a beer rinse. Although it was weird, it made my curls bouncy and shiny! My hair looked very healthy and voluminous (i),” she remarks in one of her blog posts.
2. Beer And Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Apple cider vinegar is often used as a post-wash rinse to soften the hair and add shine to it. Ingredients
¼ cup of apple cider vinegar 1 cup of beer
Process
3. Beer And Jojoba Oil Rinse
Jojoba oil is a popular ingredient when it comes to skin care and hair care. It contains wax esters that repair the skin (8). Together with beer, it may help soften and moisturize the hair. Ingredients
1 cup flat beer 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil
Process You can also include beer in DIY hair masks to treat hair loss. Find out some easy recipes in the next section.
DIY Beer Hair Masks
1. Beer, Honey, And Banana Hair Mask
Honey antimicrobial properties, while banana softens the hair and improves shine and manageability (9), (10). Ingredients
½ cup of beer 1 tablespoon of honey 1 ripe and mashed banana
Process
2. Beer, Egg, And Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Egg yolk contains hair growth peptides(11). Coconut oil minimizes protein loss in hair and penetrates the hair shaft to prevent damage (12). Ingredients:
½ cup of beer 1 tablespoon of coconut oil Yolk of an egg
Process
3. Beer, Onion, And Coconut oil
Onion juice promotes hair growth (13). Coconut oil minimizes hair damage. This hair mask may help prevent hair fall. Ingredients
1 cup of beer ½ cup of onion juice 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Process
4. Gelatin And Beer Mask For Hair
Gelatin may help increase hair volume. A study conducted on 48 volunteers, aged between 21-38 years, showed that those who received gelatin supplements saw a 20-30% increase in their hair mass (14). Ingredients
1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin ½ cup of beer 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Process Note: Conduct a patch test for gelatin before using it to avoid allergic reactions. You may also apply beer directly to your hair. This is said to lighten the hair color.
Does Beer Lighten The Hair?
According to anecdotal evidence, beer may help lighten the hair naturally. Many women use beer wash to turn their hair a shade lighter than the natural color. This is especially beneficial for people who want to dye their hair without using a pre-lightening bleach. Which beer is best for hair growth? Non-alcoholic beers are best for hair growth as they contain all the vitamins and proteins without the drying alcohol content. Does beer make hair thicker? No. Beer does not make your hair thicker. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the protein in it can cover your hair shaft, giving it a fuller look. Can I use beer shampoo daily? It depends on the individual brand formulations. While you can use some beer shampoos daily, others may be too drying or damaging. Is beer shampoo harmful? No. Beer shampoos are not typically harmful unless they contain harsh chemicals or preservatives. How long should I leave beer in my hair? For shinier and cleaner hair, you can leave beer in your hair for 15-20 minutes. Is beer good for curly hair? Yes. Beer is good for curly hair as it improves hair elasticity, strength, and shine. Discover the secret to luscious locks. Watch this video to learn how to harness the power of beer for soft and bouncy hair. Say goodbye to dullness and hello to beautiful tresses!
