Onion Juice For Hair Growth

There are many whacky hair growth trends and recommendations on the internet (seriously, there are  a lot). One recent so-called remedy? Onion juice for hair growth.

Many wellness enthusiasts claim onion juice helps with hair growth — some even say it’s a natural alternative to hair loss medication. With as many as 50 percent of men experiencing hair loss by age 50, it’s no surprise that people would look all over for a cure for baldness, including in the produce aisle.

Here, we’ll explain what the science says about onion benefits for hair, how to make DIY onion water for hair (if that’s your thing), plus other proven ways to treat hair loss and encourage hair regrowth.

Can onion juice stop hair loss? Although these bulb vegetables are rumored to be a popular hair treatment to decrease breakage and increase growth, there’s not much evidence that onions for hair growth are effective.

That said, onions do have a diverse range of health-related benefits.

For example, they’re rich in dietary flavonoids — a group of antioxidants that may be related to a reduced risk of disease. Onions also contain high amounts of dietary fiber, sulfur content, and vitamins, such as vitamin C and essential B vitamins.

But could topical onion juice really help with hair growth? Well, maybe? But they’re definitely not a magical cure for male pattern baldness (sorry).

Is there anything to onion juice for hair growth? A 2002 study looked at the effects of onion juice applied twice a day. It showed signs of hair regrowth in almost 87 percent of people after eight weeks.

However, this was a very small study involving less than 50 male and female participants dealing with a different type of hair loss than genetic thinning called alopecia areata (which is autoimmune).

So, even if onion juice is effective for regrowing hair loss due to alopecia areata, this doesn’t mean it’s a good treatment for male pattern baldness.

Quercetin, a flavonoid in onions, is thought to increase blood flow, which is vital to scalp health. In fact, one of the most popular hair loss medications, minoxidil, is thought to dilate blood vessels, bringing blood flow to the scalp.

So, let’s peel back the layers here (sorry, we’ll stop). Does onion juice stop hair loss caused by male pattern baldness? Unfortunately, probably not.

Despite its potential effect on blood flow, onion juice doesn’t affect hormones, including DHT, so it’s not a miracle solution to male pattern hair loss.

But, theoretically, it could support healthy hair growth or prevent hair fall by boosting blood circulation in the scalp.

Despite the lack of evidence supporting onions' benefits for hair growth, it may boast other benefits for healthy hair.

Some research shows that onions have anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial properties, which could, in theory, help with overall scalp health — especially when it comes to fungus, a characteristic of certain scalp conditions like tinea capitis or dandruff. But this research only looked at onion juice effects on foot fungus.

There aren’t any direct studies on the effects of using onion juice on dandruff or other fungal scalp infections.

As mentioned, onions are high in sulfur. Sulfur is responsible for that strong smell — the one that makes some people tear up when chopping. It may have some benefits for hair.

Sulfur is a component of amino acids, the building blocks of keratin. And keratin is an essential protein that gives hair structure. There haven’t been many studies on the link, but hypothetically, onion juice could help strengthen hair.

There aren’t any known side effects of onion juice on hair (if you can stand the smell), so you may decide it’s worth a shot.

If you want to give it a try, we’ll go over how to use onion juice for hair — both making it and applying it.

How to Make Onion Juice for Hair

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make onion juice for hair:

• Pick out an onion. What’s the best onion for hair loss? You can use any color, but research shows red onions are particularly high in antioxidants. Yellow onions have higher levels of sulfur.

• Wash the onion well, then dry it with a clean towel.

• Cut the onion into chunks or small pieces.

• Add the pieces to a blender or food processor, working in small batches as needed.

• Blend the onion until it has a near-liquid consistency.

• Use a cheesecloth or a very fine strainer to separate the onion juice from the pulp.

• Use the juice immediately or store it in an airtight container for up to three days.

How to Apply Onion Juice for Hair

• Combine as much onion juice as you need to cover your scalp (usually three to four teaspoons) with two teaspoons of lemon juice. You can omit the lemon juice, but the onion juice alone will have more odor.

• If you have sensitive skin or have reacted to skincare products in the past, consider doing a patch test of the mixture before applying it to your scalp. This helps check for allergic reactions.

• Apply the concoction to your hair roots and scalp. You can use a cotton pad to dab it on.

• Leave it on for a half-hour like a hair mask. It might help to cover your scalp with a shower cap.

• Wash it out with shampoo. You may need to double-rinse to get the onion smell off your hair.

Some people also choose to use premade onion oil for hair, which can be applied the same way, but will likely need at least a double rinse to remove it from the scalp.

Does onion help hair growth?

The results aren’t clear cut. Here’s what to keep in mind about onion juice for hair growth:

• There just aren’t enough studies on the effects of onions on hair to say whether they promote hair growth or help with hair thinning. But if you want to try the home remedy, by all means, go for it.

• There’s also no evidence that using onions on your scalp is unsafe or causes hair loss.

• While they’re full of nutrients and vitamins with antioxidant and antifungal properties, onions aren’t an effective hair loss treatment, at least not a proven one. 

• However, there are other effective treatments for hair loss, such as oral finasteride medication, topical minoxidil solution, two-in-one finasteride and minoxidil spray, and dandruff shampoo.

Beyond hair care, you can learn more about other health benefits of onions for men in our guide. You can also connect with a licensed dermatology specialist or healthcare provider to explore more hair loss treatments.