Is the Onion Water Trick the Secret to Gorgeous Hair?

Hair professionals offer their opinions on this novel beauty technique promoted by rapper Cardi B.

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). And 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.

However, he doesn't unqualifiedly endorse the procedure because "it's subject to a random recipe" with a "variety of variables" that may or may not work, adds Gaunitz, who claims that statements concerning onion water's benefits for the hair "hold validity to a degree."

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.

Others mince the vegetable and incorporate it into their shampoo. For PureWow 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? Before you soak your hair in onion water, we break down everything you need to know.

How Does Onion Water for Hair Benefit Your Health?

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.

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.

For two months, 38 women and men in the study applied onion juice or tap water twice daily to their scalps. By 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."

Onion juice hasn't been shown to increase protein or vitamin D levels at the base of the hair follicle, which could help with nutritional hair loss. However, Gaunitz cautions that it won't work for all types of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia and hair loss brought on by nutrient deficiencies.

It's preferable to seek advice from a licensed dermatologist or trichologist in either of those situations.

What Consequences Could Onion Water for Hair Have?

Yates advises against using onions topically, including in onion water, if you have an onion allergy.

Be cautious to properly wash the onion water out of your scalp even if you are not allergic to onions to avoid rashes. According to the Environmental Working Group, it is improbable but not completely impossible that it will irritate your skin.

Although smelling like onions doesn't have any negative effects on your health, it's probably not the scent you're looking for. The good news, according to Gaunitz, is that when shampoo is used, "the onion scent should come right out" after rinsing.

The Best Way to Use Onion Water for Hair Health

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.

Instead, the New Jersey Hair Restoration Center suggests the following alternative approach:

1. Peel and slice into small pieces three to four onions.

2. Squeeze or mix them to obtain the juice.

3. Use a cotton pad to apply the juice to your scalp. Yates adds that you may also add a little lemon juice hair help mask the onion odor.

4. After massaging it into the scalp, letting it sit for an hour, and rinsing, give your hair a second wash with your regular 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.

Alternatives to Onion Water for Healthy Hair

The onion water fad is not supported by all specialists. 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 truth is that a large portion of your hair growth (or lack thereof) is genetically predetermined. Apart from illness, such as COVID, which we observed occur extremely frequently, and hormonal imbalances, your hair density is largely established based on inherited qualities from your parents.

In order to prevent hair loss, he suggests that you instead concentrate on "getting enough nutrients by eliminating processed foods and choosing a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals." The Cleveland Clinic offers a similar piece of advice, noting that a Mediterranean diet and protein-rich foods may be particularly helpful.

Dr. Yates offers the following advice on your hair-care regimen: "Remove any harsh chemicals such as phthalates, sulfates, and alcohol."

To Sum Up:

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. Overall, 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.