Beer For Hair: Does It Really Work?

If you want soft, silky, and lustrous hair, without relying on hair treatments, say cheers to beer! From parties and social gatherings, beer has tiptoed into our hair routines as more and more people started using beer for hair care.

Be it shampoos or conditioners – you will find beer in almost all hair care products. The easiest way to use beer for hair is to use it as a post-wash rinse. However, there are several other ways to incorporate beer into your hair care routine. If this has piqued your interest and you want to give it a try, scroll down to know how beer as a natural remedy, may benefit your hair and how to use it.

Know Your Ingredient: Beer

What Is It?
A golden alcoholic beverage made from fermented cereal grains.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may support hair growth and reduce dandruff.

Who Can Use It?
It is considered safe for all hair types.

How Often?
You may use DIY beer hair masks once a week.

Caution
Frequent use of beer may lighten your hair.

Is Beer Any Good For Your Hair?

There is no scientific proof to back this claim. However, anecdotal evidence claims that beer is good for hair whether you drink it or use it to rinse your hair.

The possible reason could be the protein, B vitamins, and antioxidants like flavonoids in beer (1). These nutrients may impact your overall health and hair health. In the next section, let’s take a closer look at the nutrients present in beer.

Beneficial Nutrients In Beer

Beer is rich in:

1. Minerals

Beer contains selenium and is a good source of silicon (2). Selenium deficiency is linked to hair pigment loss, and silicon deficiency may cause hair loss (3), (4).

2. B Vitamins

Beer is rich in B vitamins, and vitamin B12 prevents premature graying (1), (5).

3. Zinc, Folate, Biotin, Vitamin D, And Calcium

Beer contains essential nutrients like zinc, folate, biotin, calcium, and vitamin D (6). All these elements are crucial for maintaining hair health. Lack of these nutrients may trigger androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium and cause hair loss and hair damage (7).

A study conducted on 1255 patients with alopecia areata and 784 non-alopecia participants found a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and alopecia areata. It was seen that about 73.8% to 84.6% of AA participants had lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D than non-AA patients.

You might be wondering that if beer is rich in hair-beneficial nutrients, does that mean it can promote hair growth? Read the next section for find out.

Does Beer Promote Hair Growth?

There is no scientific proof that beer promotes hair growth. It contains essential nutrients that play a crucial role in reducing hair fall and managing conditions like alopecia and telogen effluvium. Hence, beer may have some beneficial effects on your hair health.

However, that does not mean beer can be a substitute for a well-balanced diet and therapies. Consult a doctor if you are experiencing severe hair fall or other hair-related issues.

Beer is also believed to minimize dandruff. Is it true? Find out in the next section.

Is Beer Helpful For Dandruff?

This is a popular belief that does not have any scientific backing. Many people rinse their hair with beer and claim that it helps minimize dandruff. The fact is, dandruff is a fungal infection caused by Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus. While there is no proof of the antifungal activity of beer, you can try and see if it can help. Keep reading to find out how exactly you can use a beer for your hair.

How To Use Beer On Hair

1. Beer Rinse

A post-shampoo beer rinse may make the hair soft, silky, and shiny.

Ingredients

• 200 ml beer

Process

1. Wash your hair with shampoo and follow up with conditioner.
2. Rinse your hair well.
3. Tilt the head backward and pour the beer on the hair.
4. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with water.
5. Do this once a week.

Quick Tip

Use beer sparingly for hair care if you have dry hair as it can make this hair type fragile and more prone to breakage.

Rayna, a natural hair blogger, was surprised to discover how a beer rinse could help nourish her damaged hair. “I noticed a difference in my curls after doing a beer rinse. Although it was weird, it made my curls bouncy and shiny! My hair looked very healthy and voluminous (i),” she remarks in one of her blog posts.

2. Beer And Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Apple cider vinegar is often used as a post-wash rinse to soften the hair and add shine to it.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of beer

Process

1. Mix the apple cider vinegar with beer.
2. Use the mixture as a post-shampoo rinse.
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with water.
4. Use it once in two weeks.

3. Beer And Jojoba Oil Rinse

Jojoba oil is a popular ingredient when it comes to skin care and hair care. It contains wax esters that repair the skin (8). Together with beer, it may help soften and moisturize the hair.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flat beer
• 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil

Process

1. Mix beer and jojoba oil.
2. Pour the mixture on your hair strands
3. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
4. Rinse off with water.

You may also include beer in your DIY hair masks. Find out some easy recipes in the next section.

DIY Beer Hair Masks

1. Beer, Honey, And Banana Hair Mask

Honey antimicrobial properties, while banana softens the hair and improves shine and manageability (9), (10).

Ingredients

• ½ cup of beer
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 ripe and mashed banana

Process

1. Blend all the ingredients well.
2. Section your hair and apply the beer mask evenly from the roots to the tips.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap for an hour.
4. Wash with shampoo and conditioner.
5. Use once a week.

2. Beer, Egg, And Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Egg yolk contains hair growth peptides(11). Coconut oil minimizes protein loss in hair and penetrates the hair shaft to prevent damage (12).

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of beer
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• Yolk of an egg

Process

1. Mix all the ingredients.
2. Apply the blend to your hair evenly.
3. Cover with a shower cap and leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Wash with regular shampoo and conditioner.
5. Use this mask once a week.

3. Beer, Onion, And Coconut oil

Onion juice promotes hair growth (13). Coconut oil minimizes hair damage. This hair mask may help prevent hair fall.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of beer
• ½ cup of onion juice
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Process

1. Mix all the ingredients.
2. Apply the mask to your hair and scalp. Spread evenly.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
4. Wash with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
5. Use only once a week.

4. Gelatin And Beer Mask For Hair

Gelatin may help increase hair volume. A study conducted on 48 volunteers, aged between 21-38 years, showed that those who received gelatin supplements saw a 20-30% increase in their hair mass (14).

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin
• ½ cup of beer
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

Process

1. Mix unflavored gelatin with beer until the gelatin dissolves.
2. Add apple cider vinegar for extra shine.
3. Apply the mixture to clean, slightly damp hair and massage it into the scalp.
4. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes
5. Rinse it off thoroughly with cool water.
6. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Note: Conduct a patch test for gelatin before using it to avoid allergic reactions.

You may also apply beer directly to your hair. This is said to lighten the hair color.

Quick Tip

The strong smell of beer is the biggest drawback for some people when using it on their hair. To avoid the smell, you can either use flat beer or simply add a few drops of any fragrant essential oil to it before using it on your hair.

Does Beer Lighten The Hair?

According to anecdotal evidence, beer may help lighten the hair naturally. Many women use beer wash to turn their hair a shade lighter than the natural color. This is especially beneficial for people who want to dye their hair without using a pre-lightening bleach.

Infographic: 5 Ways To Use Beer For Your Hair

Beer is more than just your go-to party drink. It is believed to balance the pH and condition the hair, which is necessary for strong and thick hair. If you are curious to find out how to incorporate this remedy into your hair care routine, look no further. Check out the infographic below for 5 interesting ways to use beer for your hair.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which beer is best for hair growth?

Non-alcoholic beers are best for hair growth as they contain all the vitamins and proteins without the drying alcohol content.

Does beer make hair thicker?

No. Beer does not make your hair thicker. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the protein in it can cover your hair shaft, giving it a fuller look.

Can I use beer shampoo daily?

It depends on the individual brand formulations. While you can use some beer shampoos daily, others may be too drying or damaging.

Is beer shampoo harmful?

No. Beer shampoos are not typically harmful unless they contain harsh chemicals or preservatives.

How long should I leave beer in my hair?

For shinier and cleaner hair, you can leave beer in your hair for 15-20 minutes.

Is beer good for curly hair?

Yes. Beer is good for curly hair as it improves hair elasticity, strength, and shine.

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Dr. Vindhya L VeerulaMD, FAAD

   

Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. She is an energetic, proactive, and compassionate medical practitioner with 5 years of experience and a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness. Dr.V is on a mission to inspire and teach people to...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

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. She writes on skin care and aims to present well-researched...more