You know onion as the culinary staple that adds flavour to sauces and stews, but you might not yet be familiar with using its juice for hair loss. Yep, you read right. Before you write it off, hear us out. The idea might sound far-fetched, but there may be a bit of merit to it.
If you’re curious about how this humble vegetable affects hair growth, or even about its other potential benefits for your scalp and hair, read on.
The link between onion juice and hair growth
The concept of onion juice as a potential treatment for hair loss (and other hair-related issues) has been around for many, many years. In fact, its origins lie all the way back in medieval times, when people believed rubbing onion juice into their scalp and laying in the sun would help restore their hair.
Fast-forward to today and onion juice remains incredibly popular, with a 2021 review finding its use as a hair-growth tonic a major trend among social media influencers.[1]
So, what’s the logic behind the link between onion and hair growth? There are a few ways this remedy could work:
Onions are packed with sulphur
Onions are particularly high in sulphur — the compound that gives them their strong smell and tear-inducing effect. Sulphur also happens to be essential for making keratin, a protein that makes up your hair.
The idea is that by putting onion juice on your scalp, you can increase keratin production and encourage healthy hair growth
They’re antimicrobial and antifungal
Scalp infections can cause hair loss by weakening hair follicles. Onions have proven antibacterial effects,[2] which may help curb these kinds of infections. (It’s also why they’re a well-known home remedy for coughs and colds.)
They’re high in antioxidants
Oxidative stress (where there are too many free radicals floating around your body and not enough antioxidants to neutralise them) is connected to hair loss.
Onions contain a flavonoid known as quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can combat oxidative stress and possibly prevent balding
They could improve circulation
A lack of blood flow to the scalp can contribute to hair loss, as the hair follicles aren’t getting the nutrients they need. However, the sulphur-rich compounds in onions can encourage better circulation throughout the scalp, helping to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth
These benefits all sound pretty good, but is there any evidence to back them up? So far, only a bit — namely, a study from 2002.
As part of the study, researchers divided participants into two groups: one who applied onion juice twice a day to their scalp and the other who used tap water.
Interestingly, 86.9% of participants who used onion juice noticed hair regrowth after 6 weeks and only 2% of tap water users detected it after 8 weeks. The result was significantly higher among males, too, with 93.7% of participants experiencing hair growth after applying onion juice [3].
While this kind of evidence is promising, it’s important to note several things.
First, research has only been conducted on participants with a condition known as alopecia areata, where your hair falls out in patches. There’s currently no evidence that onion juice can reverse male pattern baldness.
The research is also limited, with the 2002 study only including a fairly small cohort of 38 participants.
We’re not necessarily saying there’s no truth to the link between onion juice and hair loss, but the proof is still in its very early stages. So while you could give onion juice a go, just know that you may not see the results you’re hoping for.
Other benefits of onion juice for hair
Besides its use as a hair loss solution, onion juice is said to have other benefits:
- It might combat scalp conditions: Those antimicrobial and antifungal powers we mentioned earlier may also be a boon if you experience certain scalp conditions like dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis. Both conditions can be caused by a yeast known as Malassezia furfur, and onion’s sulphur content may help to control its growth. The anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin could also soothe the irritation and itching associated with different scalp conditions.
- It could strengthen hair: Sulphur’s keratin-boosting properties may also have a positive impact on the structure of your hair, making it stronger, more elastic and less prone to breakage.
- It may add shine to your hair: Enhancing blood flow to the hair could also nourish your hair follicles, potentially helping to enhance shine and overall hair health.
- It might reverse greyness: Onion juice has an enzyme called catalase, which can break down the buildup of hydrogen peroxide in the hair — a factor linked to premature greying
Once again, though, there’s little to no scientific evidence that onion juice can help with any of these hair concerns. Most claims about its benefits are based on traditional or natural remedies.
How to use onion water on your hair
Keen to give onion juice a go? Making and using it is simple:
- Grab 2-3 fresh onions. You can use any variety of onion you like, but know that brown onions have the highest sulphur content and red onions have the most antioxidant properties (which also gives them their distinct colour)
- Cut the onions into small pieces and add to a food processor or blender. Alternatively, cut them in half and grate them using the large holes of a box grater
- Pulse the onions until they're pulpy. You also want a decent amount of liquid in the mixture
- Strain the onion mixture. Use a metal strainer or muslin cloth, then discard the pulp
- Apply a few drops of onion juice directly to your scalp and leave for 15-30 minutes. You can use a cotton ball, applicator bottle, or your fingertips
- Massage your scalp. While you’re waiting for the onion juice to work, give your scalp a light massage to stimulate blood flow
- Rinse your hair with a mild shampoo. This will help remove the onion juice and any lingering onion smell
- Store any leftover juice in the fridge. It should keep for up to 3 days in a sealed container
- Repeat 2-3 times weekly for a few months. You may notice results after a couple of weeks
Are there any risks?
Onions aren’t overly risky, but using onion juice on your hair does come with some warnings. It might seem obvious, but if you’re allergic to onions, onion juice is best avoided. You might trigger a reaction.
Raw onions are quite acidic, which may still cause sensitivity — even if you're not allergic. You may notice side effects like redness, burning, itching, and irritation on the scalp.
To avoid discomfort all over your scalp, start with a patch test to see how your skin reacts. Apply a tiny amount of onion juice to a small patch of skin, wait 30 minutes and rinse it off.
Any signs of irritation will likely crop up in up to a week after the test. If you notice them, you might want to steer clear of onion juice entirely.
Proven ways of treating hair loss
Not quite convinced of onion juice’s effectiveness? You’ll be glad to know that there are several other (scientifically backed) ways to address hair loss.
Lifestyle changes
Hair loss is caused by a range of factors, including several lifestyle-related ones. The first is stress, with plenty of evidence that chronic stress contributes to hair loss [4].
Addressing your stress levels — perhaps through stress management exercises like meditation and deep breathing, or with the help of a therapist — may help to prevent or even reverse any hair loss you’ve experienced.
Another is smoking, with research showing that nicotine use restricts blood flow to the hair follicles, resulting in weaker hair and potential hair loss [5]. Quitting the smokes might be the best thing you can do for your hair health.
Another still is nutritional deficiencies, specifically in iron, zinc, niacin, selenium and vitamin D [6]. Giving your diet an overhaul, and possibly introducing a supplement if you’re particularly low in one of these nutrients, may help.
Surgical options
Treatments like hair transplants and laser therapy are typically reserved for more severe hair loss.
A hair transplant involves taking healthy hairs from different parts of the scalp and placing them in spots where the hair has thinned or disappeared entirely. It’s a more invasive (and expensive) option and requires some hair to still be on the head.
Laser therapy is gentler, using low-level lasers to activate the hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. Generally, you'll need multiple sessions of laser therapy before noticing a difference.
Hair loss products
Used alongside other hair loss treatments, a medicated hair product like Pilot’s Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner can be pretty effective at supporting hair growth.
Containing a combo of hair-loving ingredients like saw palmetto, caffeine and ginseng, zinc (which combats hair thinning), biotin (for stronger hair) and niacinamide (for scalp health), the duo delivers a powerful boost to get your hair looking fuller.
Hair loss treatments
Pilot’s hair loss treatment is a medicated solution that gets discreetly delivered to your door and includes unlimited virtual follow-ups with a Pilot practitioner — saving you the hassle of trekking across town for appointments and prescriptions.
You can also choose from a range of treatments targeted at different stages of hair loss, so no matter where you’re at, you’ll find the right fit for your needs.
Photo credit: Pexels
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