Eggs are often hailed as a powerhouse of nutrients for the body. But is egg good for your hair? If so, what does egg do for your hair?
Many people use egg yolks to make DIY hair masks, while others add whole eggs to their hair care routine. You might’ve also read that eating more eggs can stimulate healthy hair growth.
Let’s cut through the noise and explore the science behind eggs for hair. We’ll unpack the benefits of both consuming and applying eggs for hair health.
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Is Eating Eggs Good for Your Hair?
First, let’s look at the benefits of adding eggs to your diet. As you may know, eggs are chock-full of critical nutrients while being relatively low in calories.
In particular, cooked eggs are rich in:
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Protein
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Fatty acids
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Vitamin A
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Vitamin B2, B5, B6, B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12
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Vitamin D
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Phosphorus
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Selenium
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Zinc
Why is egg good for your hair, though? Many of these nutrients are essential for healthy hair. We’ll break down a few of these benefits below.
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1. Egg for Hair Growth
Nutrition plays a key role in the hair growth cycle, and a lack of essential nutrients can cause hair loss.
In particular, protein deficiencies and biotin deficiencies can result in a temporary form of hair loss called telogen effluvium. To correct or prevent telogen effluvium, make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
Vitamin D is also important for hair growth, although the connection isn’t fully understood. A 2021 review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found a link between vitamin D deficiencies and many forms of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and alopecia areata (an auto-immune disease that causes hair loss).
Eggs are rich in protein, biotin, and vitamin D, among other nutrients that play a role in hair growth. If you’re deficient in any of these vitamins, minerals, or macronutrients, it may be wise to add some eggs to your diet.
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2. Protein for Stronger Hair
Hair is primarily made of keratin, a type of protein. The hair cuticle (the outermost layer of a hair strand) keeps hair strong.
If you have a protein deficiency, your hair might be more prone to breakage and split ends.
Since eggs are rich in protein, eating them can support hair strength and repair. For those with protein deficiencies, adding eggs to your diet may help combat hair thinning and breakage.
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3. Antioxidants for Hair Health
Eggs contain a range of antioxidants, including vitamins A and E.
Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. When free radicals accumulate, they can cause oxidative stress and damage hair follicles. This can lead to weakened strands, premature aging, and even hair loss.
Research shows that antioxidants might prevent certain types of hair loss by protecting hair follicles from oxidative stress.
Including antioxidant-rich foods in your diet — like eggs — can indirectly promote scalp health.
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What About Applying Eggs to Your Hair?
The topical use of eggs as a hair treatment — think raw-egg hair masks and deep conditioning treatments — has been popularized in DIY beauty circles.
Here are the potential benefits of egg hair treatments:
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Adding shine. Egg whites are rich in proteins, which might form a temporary film over the hair shaft, smoothing the cuticle. This can add shine and reduce frizz.
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Moisturizing dry hair. Egg yolks contain fats like lecithin, which may moisturize dehydrated hair. This can help keep dryness at bay.
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Adding softness. The fatty acid content of egg yolks can also make your hair feel softer to the touch.
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Antioxidants. As mentioned, eggs contain antioxidants, which might protect hair from oxidative damage.
Having said that, while the components of eggs suggest potential benefits, there’s little scientific evidence to confirm the effectiveness of applying raw egg directly to hair. Most claims are anecdotal, and results may vary depending on your hair type and the condition of your hair.
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How to Use Eggs for Hair Health
If you’re intrigued by the idea of using eggs for hair health, here’s how to approach it.
1. Prioritize Your Diet
The best way to use eggs for hair growth is by eating them. You could add eggs to your diet regularly to ensure you’re getting enough protein, biotin, and other essential nutrients.
But eggs aren’t the only food that can support hair health. Read our article on the best foods for hair growth to explore more.
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2. Try an Egg Hair Mask
If you’re looking for a natural hair mask, consider using eggs. You could use egg yolks or the whole egg.
Here’s how to do it:
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Whisk one or two eggs until smooth.
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Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.
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Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Consider using a shower cap to avoid a mess.
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Rinse thoroughly with cool water, making sure to remove any residue from your hair roots and scalp. (Don’t use hot water, or you’ll “cook“ the egg in your hair.)
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Follow with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
Lots of folks add a few teaspoons of lemon juice to their egg hair masks to get rid of the “eggy“ scent, which can be off-putting.
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3. Combine With Other Ingredients
Feeling adventurous? You could try whipping up a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment that combines eggs with other natural ingredients to combat dryness and frizzy hair while encouraging growth.
Consider using:
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Coconut oil
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Aloe vera
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Honey
You’re wise to patch-test new hair products before applying them to your entire scalp. Even natural ingredients may irritate your skin if you have an allergy or a sensitive scalp.
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4. Use Hair Care Products That Contain Egg
Fancy the eggs but not the mess? You might be able to find hair products, like shampoos and conditioners, containing egg extract along with other natural ingredients.
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Does Eggs Help Hair Growth?
Eggs provide many of the building blocks necessary for healthy hair growth. However, the idea that eggs can dramatically speed up hair growth is a bit exaggerated.
Hair grows about half an inch per month. And although nutrients like protein and biotin support this process, no food — not even eggs — will significantly accelerate growth beyond your body’s natural rate.
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Are There Risks to Applying Egg to Hair?
While using eggs on hair is generally safe, there are a few potential side effects and drawbacks to keep in mind:
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Allergic reactions. If you have an egg allergy, avoid applying eggs to your hair or scalp.
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Odor. Raw eggs can leave behind an unpleasant smell, especially if not rinsed thoroughly.
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Messiness. Egg masks can be tricky to apply and wash out, so prepare for a bit of cleanup.
If your primary goal is hair growth or addressing severe damage, it’s worth considering more proven treatments over DIY egg masks. Let’s look at these in the next section!
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Proven Alternatives to Eggs for Hair Growth
Want a more evidence-based way to get healthier hair? You have a few options.
If hair thinning is a concern, you might consider these hair loss treatments:
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Finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription-only hair loss medication taken orally. It’s approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to treat male pattern baldness.
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Minoxidil. If you prefer a topical treatment, you can use minoxidil to slow down hair fall. This FDA-approved treatment can be purchased without a prescription. It’s available as minoxidil foam and minoxidil liquid solution.
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Combination treatments. Want to address hair loss ASAP? Try minoxidil and finasteride at the same time, either separately or in one product.
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Hair loss shampoos. Alongside medication, you can use hair loss shampoos.
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Targeted supplements. Eating a healthy diet is the best way to meet your nutritional needs. But if you have a deficiency, try using a supplement.
A word of warning: Hair loss often gets worse over time, so you’ll want to treat it ASAP. A dermatologist or another healthcare professional can help you navigate your treatment options.
Looking for more general hair care tips? Here are a few go-tos:
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Don’t forget to hydrate (your hair). Use conditioner after you shampoo your hair — every time, no matter how short it is. And try to use a hair mask or deep-conditioning treatment once a week to keep your hair soft, strong, and hydrated.
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Avoid damaging habits. Frequent heat styling, harsh chemical treatments, and excessive sun exposure can damage your hair, leading to breakage.
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Get regular trims. Even if you’re growing out your hair, frequent trims are essential for avoiding split ends and keeping your hair healthy.
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Look after your scalp. Scalp care is an essential part of hair care. Keep your mane looking good by moisturizing your scalp and taking care of scalp conditions like dandruff.
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Take care of your overall health. Healthy hair starts from the inside. To give your follicles a fighting chance, try to manage stress, take care of any physical health conditions, and eat a healthy diet — whether that includes eggs or not.
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Final Thoughts: Is Egg Good for Your Hair?
Is egg good for your hair? In summary, yes. But the exact benefits of eggs depends on whether you eat them or apply them to your hair.
Here’s what to keep in mind about egg in hair benefits:
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Eggs can be part of a balanced diet. They provide essential nutrients like amino acids, biotin, and vitamin D — all of which are crucial for maintaining healthy hair.
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You can apply eggs to your hair — but it’s not a silver bullet. Egg masks may make your hair softer and shinier, but they aren’t a miracle solution for hair growth or damage repair.
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Go for tried-and-tested hair treatments. If you’re dealing with significant hair concerns like hair loss, scientifically backed treatments like minoxidil are likely to yield better results.
Ultimately, healthy hair starts with a healthy body. Whether you’re scrambling them for breakfast or experimenting with a DIY mask, eggs are a versatile addition to your hair care journey — but they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
For more info, check out our blog posts on fixing damaged, dry hair and natural hair growth tips — your hairline will thank you!
This article originally appeared on hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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