Athiya Shetty shares her mom-approved haircare secret: ‘It smells and takes a really good shampoo to get it out, but…’

According to Dr Manasi Shirolikar, a consultant dermatologist, hair is made up of keratin (a protein), which contains sulfur. Onion oil is also rich in sulfur. “When added to the hair and scalp, it may provide extra sulfur to support strong and thick hair, and thus could prevent hair loss and promote growth.”

Agreeing with her, Dr Pallavi Sule, dermatologist and aesthetic physician, told indianexpress.com that onion oil can help boost circulation owing to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. “Applying onion oil to the hair and scalp could increase blood supply to hair follicles, improving hair growth. Onion oil is also found useful in delaying the premature greying of hair. This is attributed to the production of the enzyme catalase in the hair follicles,” she said.

Can it stop hair fall?

“Typically, hair fall that is more commonly seen is telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia. Onion juice has not been studied in this type of hair fall yet,” Dr Shirolikar added.

Athiya loves onion oil for hair growth (Source: Instagram/@athiyashetty)

Dr Sule quoted a small study that showed applying onion juice to the scalp twice a day might help regrow hair in some people. Almost 74% of participants had some hair regrowth after 4 weeks; at 6 weeks, about 87% experienced hair regrowth. The participants had alopecia areata, a patchy, non-scarring type of hair loss, she said.

However, the benefits of this oil are certainly prominent when it comes to regulating scalp health. She added that onion extract has anti-bacterial properties, which may help to fight scalp infections. “A healthy scalp has stronger follicles, and onions can help boost circulation. Applying onion juice to the hair and scalp could increase blood supply to hair follicles,” she explained.

It must be noted though that onion oil can be irritating on its own. Contact with onion on the skin can cause symptoms in people who are allergic Both dermatologists advised against using onion oil without consulting an expert. “I have, unfortunately, seen many patients who had adverse reactions ranging from itchy scalp to dermatitis to severe hair fall after application of onion on the scalp,” added Dr Sule.

Additionally, she advised thoroughly rinse your scalp after application to avoid foul odor and irritated skin. “Excessive use of natural products may cause buildup, so it’s essential to apply them in moderation and as part of a balanced hair care routine. Ensure that you rinse the hair thoroughly after using these items to prevent any remaining scent or buildup,” said Dr Shirolikar. Similar to any natural component, it is crucial to prevent onion oil or egg from entering the eyes, as they may lead to irritation.

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