How to Use Onion Juice for Dandruff

A dandruff-prone scalp isn’t the easiest to live with, and you should tackle it with care as using harsh treatments can cause instant reactions.

Among many remedies, onion juice has been shown to positively aid in dandruff treatment and hair growth. Use it alone or with coconut oil to bring your dandruff under control.

Dandruff is caused by the fungus Malassezia, and onions are dandruff fighters due to their anti-fungal properties.

Studies have found that onions are rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can prevent dandruff and hair fall.

Why Use Onion Juice for Dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by the fungus Malassezia, which is naturally present on the scalp. When your scalp is healthy, it goes unnoticed.

Malassezia feeds on the sebum on your scalp, creating a by-product known as oleic acid. Most people are sensitive to oleic acid, and the scalp reacts to it by breaking out into white flakes and itching. (1)

When you have dandruff on your scalp, the Malassezia population increases by 1.5 to 2 times the average level.

Onions have anti-fungal properties that help treat scalp disorders such as dandruff and keep the skin clean and moisturized. (2)

Onion juice has antimicrobial properties that help control Malassezia‘s activity and relieve dandruff. It helps to quell the non-stop itching sensation that can be exasperating.

Using onion juice on your hair is highly beneficial if you use it regularly. Apart from curing dandruff, onion juice offers many benefits for the hair.

Ways to Use Onion Juice for Dandruff

Here’s how you can use onion juice to get rid of dandruff:

1. Peel 4–5 onions, wash them, and pat them dry.
2. Dice them into tiny pieces.
3. Blend them to extract a smooth onion paste.
4. Strain the onion juice out and store it in an airtight container.
5. Use the onion juice within 5 days.

Use the extracted onion juice alone or in combination with other effective ingredients such as coconut oil, garlic oil, and fenugreek oil to control dandruff in hair.

a. Onion juice and coconut oil

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of the onion juice with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and a few drops of tea tree oil, which is excellent for keeping your scalp free from irritation.
2. Apply this mixture to your scalp and massage it with your fingertips for 4–5 minutes.
3. Since onions are pungent, leave this hair mask on your hair for a maximum of 30 minutes only.
4. Wash your hair with a good-quality shampoo and conditioner.

b. Onion juice and aloe vera gel

1. Boil 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel on a low flame for 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of onion juice to the cooled mixture and store it in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the mixture on your scalp and hair and massage it well for 5 minutes.
4. Wash your hair after 30–45 minutes with a good-quality shampoo and conditioner.

Tips and Precautions When Using Onion Juice on Your Hair

Onion juice is suitable for your scalp, but you must understand the cons of using it.

Here are a few of them:

• Do a patch test before applying onion juice to prevent untoward side effects.
• If you are allergic to onions, stop using them immediately.
• If you have sensitive skin and scalp, dilute the onion juice with emollients such as coconut oil to cut down on its concentration.
• Onion juice leaves a pungent smell on the hair, so should wash it off properly from the scalp and hair using shampoo and conditioner.

Other Benefits of Onion Juice for Your Hair

Applying onion juice to your hair provides the following effects:

1. Prevents hair loss

Onion juice is highly effective in preventing hair loss due to its sulfur content. This element promotes collagen formation, which helps in generating more hair follicles and cleansing the scalp skin.

In addition, massaging your scalp regularly with onion juice increases blood circulation on the scalp, stimulating the hair follicles to grow healthy hair.

2. Curbs fungal growth

A study on the antifungal activity of onions against Malassezia, Candida, and other fungi showed that they were influential in treating fungal-related diseases. (3)

3. Fights inflammation

Research has proven that onions have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due to their quercetin content.

In addition, quercetin helps fight the effects of free radicals, air pollutants, and toxins that cause scalp disorders and result in hair breakage and loss.

4. Moisturizes and nourishes the scalp

Studies on the efficiency of using onions to moisturize the skin have demonstrated that applying onions to the skin can change its overall appearance, reduce reddening, fade the scars, and make it softer.

Onions have has moisturizing properties due to unique bioflavonoids in them, including quercetin, kaempferol, and cepalin.

The metalloproteinases and thiosulfates in onions also contribute to smooth the skin. (4)

5. Improves blood circulation

Using onion juice regularly on the scalp improves blood flow to the hair follicles and increases their oxygen and nutrient supply. This, in turn, results in healthy and fast hair growth.

General Queries on Using Onion Juice for Dandruff

Final Word

Onions are a natural, affordable, and safe remedy at home to treat dandruff and hair loss in various ways and in combination with other ingredients.

Many people have seen positive outcomes when treating dandruff with onions. However, if you are allergic to onions, avoid them and opt for other natural ingredients that suit your scalp and hair.