3 Amazing DIY Gelatin Hair Mask Recipes For Healthy Tresses

Why Use A Gelatin Hair Mask?

Gelatin is hydrolyzed protein. The hydrolysis breaks down the protein into its constituent amino acids (1). The type of protein present in gelatin is known as collagen.

Collagen is a crucial building block of your skin, nails, and hair (2). A gelatin hair mask restores the lost collagen from your hair and helps it regain its bounce.

While egg or yogurt masks are also rich in protein, these ingredients are not hydrolyzed – their protein molecules are large and cannot penetrate the hair shaft.

Gelatin, on the other hand, is hydrolyzed protein. Hair treatment with gelatin not only forms a film over your hair strands, but it can also penetrate the hair cuticles and fill the gaps to make your hair smoother. This protective film that gelatin forms over the hair prevents moisture loss and keeps your hair hydrated.

Other reasons to use a gelatin hair mask include:

• Gelatin is inexpensive. You don’t have to spend large sums to smoothen your hair and reduce frizz.
• You can get gelatin from almost every departmental store.
• It is easy to make a gelatin hair mask and apply it.
• You can customize the amount of gelatin or protein, depending on your needs. If your hair feels crunchy and rigid after using the mask, then you may have used too much of it. You can try reducing the quantity of gelatin the next time. If you feel the gelatin hair mask has had no impact, try increasing the quantity the next time.

Now that you are aware of the benefits of using a gelatin hair mask, check a few gelatin hair mask recipes.

Effective DIY Gelatin Hair Mask Recipes

The biggest advantage of using a DIY beauty gelatin mask for hair is that it is more effective (and less expensive) than most store-bought protein treatments. Moreover, gelatin is a common household ingredient and you will have no trouble making these gelatin hair mask recipes for hair nourishment.

Gelatin Mask With Egg Yolk

The protein in egg yolks is large and cannot penetrate the hair cuticles. Some believe that when you combine gelatin with egg yolks, the protein in both sources works in tandem to form a film over the hair strands and creates a laminating effect. The protein in egg yolk is also known to promote hair growth (3).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of gelatin
• ½ a cup of water
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons of conditioner

How To Make   

1. Heat water till it is warm.
2. Add gelatin to the water and stir till it dissolves completely.
3. Let the mixture cool down and add the egg yolk and conditioner.
4. Mix thoroughly to ensure there are no lumps.

You can increase or decrease the gelatin in the recipe depending on your needs. If you have oily hair, you may skip the conditioner as it will weigh your hair down and make it greasy.

Gelatin Mask With Mustard And Henna

Anecdotal evidence suggests that mustard leads to hair strengthening. Henna is known to aid hair growth (4). The hair mask may help reduce hair loss. Be aware that henna can also alter the color of the hair to a more red/brown hue.

You Will Need

• ½ a cup of warm water
• 1 tablespoon of gelatin
• 1 teaspoon of mustard paste
• 1 tablespoon of henna powder
• 1 egg yolk

How To Make

1. Mix gelatin in half a cup of warm water.
2. Stir thoroughly so that the gelatin dissolves without any lumps.
3. Add the egg yolk, henna, and mustard paste to this and mix so that there are no lumps.

You can increase the quantity of henna if the mask seems too runny.

Honey Gelatin Herbal Mask

Honey is a humectant and has hair conditioning properties (5). Plus, herbs may also promote hair growth and they could have limited side effects (6).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of gelatin
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of herbs
• ½ a cup of warm water

How To Make

1. Boil the required herbs in water for 5 minutes to get a herbal decoction.
2. Dissolve the gelatin in the herbal decoction.
3. Add honey and mix thoroughly.

You can increase the amount of honey if your hair is extremely dry.

A blogger shared that she likes to prepare her gelatin hair mask with spirulina, hot water, and store-bought conditioner. She writes, “When I want my hair to be extra shiny and voluminous I opt for a protein hair mask.” However, she does mention a word of caution, stating, “I have High Porosity hair so my mane loves protein treatments, I can feel my hair definitely more hydrated and my curls more bouncy after using products that contain protein. If your hair is protein sensitive this is not a treatment that works for your hair type (i).”

Quick Tip

You can also blend one tablespoon of gelatin with one teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar, honey, ⅓ cup of water, and mashed avocado and use the hair mask.

How To Apply Gelatin Hair Mask At Home

1. Start by washing your hair with water so that it is wet when you apply the hair mask.
2. You can shampoo before using the gelatin hair mask. However, if your hair mask contains egg, you may shampoo after applying the gelatin hair mask to prevent the foul smell.
3. Once your hair is wet, apply the gelatin mask for hair along its length.
4. Put on a shower cap and leave the gelatin hair mask on for at least 20 minutes.
5. Rinse off.

Quick Tip

Do not use flavored/colored gelatin for the hair masks as it may stain light and blonde hair.

Despite all the uses mentioned above, you should be aware of gelatin’s potential side effects as well. Scroll down to know what they are.

Side Effects Of Gelatin

Although gelatin is relatively safe, there are some considerations one must keep in mind to avoid any adverse effects:

• Skin Irritation: Applying gelatin topically may cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in some people. It is advised that a patch test be conducted before using gelatin on your hair and scalp.
• Clogged Pores: Certain gelatin-based masks or treatments, especially when combined with other greasy ingredients, may potentially clog pores and lead to acne or other skin issues, particularly if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

It is best to consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional before using gelatin for hair care purposes, especially if you have any preexisting skin conditions or allergies.

Infographic: 3 Easy DIY Gelatin Hair Masks

Gelatin hair masks make your hair smooth, shiny, and manageable. The good news is you can make these masks at home with simple ingredients from your pantry. Check out this infographic for DIY gelatin hair masks to incorporate into your hair care routine.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave gelatin on my hair overnight?

Yes, you can leave a gelatin hair mask in your hair overnight.

How often should you do a gelatin hair mask?

For best results, use a gelatin mask once every 4 weeks.

Does gelatin make hair thicker?

Gelatin is a protein (collagen), which is needed for healthy hair growth. So, it may make your hair stronger and thicker.

How do you remove gelatin from hair?

Wash your hair with warm water and shampoo to remove gelatin. If that does not work effectively, use a vinegar rinse to remove gelatin.

Does gelatin have keratin?

Yes. Gelatin is a protein that contains keratin.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Experience the power of a DIY gelatin hair mask that will leave your locks looking luscious and healthy. Click on this video to know more!

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Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

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Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest...more