| Benefits | How to Use | Additional Tips |
Long, beautiful, lustrous hair is everyone’s dream, but dust, pollution, adulterated food, extreme heat, chilly dry winds, and unhealthy lifestyle are all giving damaging effects to our hair. We end up spending a lot on various products to care for our hair; some work temporarily, and most others may damage further. This is because the products are loaded with chemicals that are not natural to the body. Ancient remedies have always been giving miraculous benefits. Yogurt for hair care is an age-old remedy being used for centuries in India for healthy and beautiful hair.
Hair is an important feature of our body that requires proper nourishment and care. Natural remedies are not just effective but are safe and highly beneficial in many ways. A number of hair conditions can be treated with simple natural herbs and ingredients with successful results. It is high time we revived these gifts of nature and say goodbye to the toxic and damaging products.
Let us look at how yogurt benefits our hair and how to use this delicious ingredient in hair care.
Benefits of Yogurt for Hair:
Yogurt is one of the oldest food of the world, consumed in many cultures. Yogurt is made by milk fermentation by bacteria. It is a highly nutritious food with several health benefits. Yogurt is rich in vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins like vitamin A, vitamin B6 and B12, vitamin D, niacin, riboflavin, choline, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, zinc, etc. It is rich in lactic acid and has high anti-fungal properties. All these components make yogurt a very beneficial and nourishing ingredient for the hair. Some cultures have been using yogurt from centuries to treat various hair conditions. Let us look at the various benefits of yogurt on hair.
1. Prevents Hair Fall:
The host of essential nutrients present in yogurt, especially vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamins B, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, choline, selenium,etc. nourish the scalp tissues, hair follicles, roots, and hair cells, thus strengthening them, and preventing hair fall. Lactic acid and other fatty acids in yogurt help make the scalp healthy and unclog the hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth.
2. Natural Hair Conditioner:
Yogurt is rich in nourishing proteins and has excellent conditioning properties that help reduce the frizz and make the hair smooth, lustrous, and silky. The moisturizing properties of yogurt help in hydrating the scalp and hair strands and improve their strength and shine. Proper conditioning also helps in de tangling the hair strands making them more manageable.
3. Treats Dandruff:
The lactic acid present in yogurt helps in cleaning the scalp of dead cells, dirt, and grease and makes the scalp healthy and free from conditions like dandruff. The anti-fungal properties of yogurt also play a very important role in preventing and eliminating dandruff.
4. Balances Natural Oils:
The fatty acids and vitamin C in yogurt treat oily scalp and hair conditions by absorbing excess oil and grease from the scalp and hair follicles. It also helps in controlling the secretion of natural oils to maintain a healthy balance.
5. Improves Scalp Health:
Yogurt is a cooling agent that helps in soothing and calming the scalp cells. This improves the scalp’s blood circulation and reduces inflammation. The soothing properties also help treat dryness in the scalp that cause itchy, or flaky scalp.
How to Use Yogurt for Hair?
Yogurt can be used on hair in various ways by mixing it with simple natural herbs and other valuable ingredients like honey, aloe vera, lemon, etc., to enhance the benefits to the hair. It is advised to use homemade yogurt if possible, rather than the store-bought yogurt, which may contain preservatives and additives that may hinder the benefits. You must also make sure the yogurt is plain and unsweetened. Let us look at some methods of using yogurt for hair health:
1. Egg and Yogurt for Hair Growth:
Eggs are used extensively in natural hair masks to treat hair loss. It is high in proteins, fats, and essential nutrients that help in nourishing the hair follicles and hair cells, and promoting thick and healthy hair growth. Eggs also help in treating dry and damaged hair by moisturizing the hair and making them smooth, straight, and shiny. The proteins in eggs help in repairing damaged hair cells and preventing hair breakage. Eggs and yogurt hair mask is an excellent remedy for hair regrowth.
Ingredients:
- One egg.
- Two tablespoons of yogurt.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Directions of Use:
- Whisk the egg well until it turns to a runny consistency.
- Add the yogurt to the egg and mix well to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture on the scalp thoroughly.
- Cover the hair well, from roots to tip.
- Gently massage the scalp making sure the mixture is well absorbed.
- Cover hair and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.
Frequency of Use: Twice a week.
[ Read More: Lemon Juice for Hair Growth ]
2. Yogurt and Honey Hair Mask:
Honey is one of nature’s best anti-bacterial. It is highly effective in treating infections and scalp conditions like psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, itchy scalp, etc. And it also soothes the scalp and treats inflammation. It is an excellent moisturizer that makes the hair smooth and silky. The nutrients in honey help nourish the hair cells and hair roots, and strengthen them. Honey and yogurt make a nutritious and healthy hair mask.
Ingredients:
- Half cup yogurt.
- One teaspoon of honey.
- Half teaspoon of lemon juice.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Directions of Use:
- Mix all the stated ingredients to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture on the scalp thoroughly.
- Cover the hair from roots to tip.
- Gently massage the scalp making sure the mixture is well absorbed.
- Cover hair and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.
Frequency of Use: Twice a week.
3. Yogurt and Lemon for Dandruff:
Lemons are rich in citric acid and vitamin C, which helps in treating dandruff effectively. It also cleans the scalp and hair follicles of grease, dirt, and dead cells that cause dandruff. It helps remove excess sebum or oil from the scalp that can cause inflammation and dandruff. Yogurt has anti-fungal properties and enzymes that help eliminate dandruff. Yogurt and lemon make a very powerful hair mask to combat dandruff.
Ingredients:
- Four tablespoons of yogurt.
- Two teaspoons of lemon juice.
- One teaspoon of honey.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Directions of Use:
- Mix all the stated ingredients to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture on the scalp.
- Cover the hair strands as well, from roots to tip.
- Gently massage the scalp making sure the mixture is well absorbed.
- Cover hair and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water.
Frequency of Use: Twice a week.
[ Also Read: Benefits of Banana Hair Mask ]
4. Yogurt and Banana Hair Mask:
Yogurt and banana hair mask helps in conditioning and moisturizing the hair and scalp. It is a very effective remedy to treat dry scalp conditions. The vitamins and minerals in banana also help in nourishing the hair cells and giving them a natural luster and shine. The hydrating effects of bananas help reduce the frizz and make the hair smooth and silky. Banana and yogurt hair mask is very effective in treating dry and dull hair.
Ingredients:
- Half a ripe banana.
- One tablespoon of yogurt.
- One teaspoon of honey.
- Half teaspoon of lemon juice.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Directions of Use:
- Blend everything to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture on the scalp.
- Cover the hair strands as well, from roots to tip.
- Gently massage the scalp making sure the mixture is well absorbed.
- Cover hair and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.
Frequency of Use: Twice a week.
5. Coffee and Yogurt Mask for Hair:
Coffee has numerous benefits on hair. It stimulates the hair roots and promotes hair growth. It is an excellent exfoliator that helps remove dead cells, dirt, and grease from the scalp and makes the scalp healthy and clean. The caffeine in coffee helps in improving the structure of hair strands while also making it smooth and shiny. It makes the roots stronger and prevents hair fall. This hair mask is very effective in treating hair loss and is one of the best scalp treatments.
Ingredients:
- Half cup of yogurt.
- Half tablespoon of coffee powder.
- One teaspoon of lemon juice.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Directions of Use:
- Mix everything to form a fine paste.
- Apply this mixture on the scalp thoroughly.
- Cover the hair strands as well, from roots to tip.
- Gently massage the scalp making sure the mixture is well absorbed.
- Cover hair and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.
Frequently of Use: Once a week.
[ Also Read: 15 Best Fruits for Healthy Hair Growth ]
6. Avocado and Yogurt Hair Mask:
Avocados are rich in essential fats, vitamin E, proteins, and antioxidants that are very beneficial to the hair. The antioxidants help in eliminating toxins from the scalp and repairing damaged scalp, and hair cells. This helps in making the scalp healthy and aid in hair growth. Avocados also have anti-inflammatory properties that help treat scalp conditions like dandruff and inflammations. They also help in nourishing and moisturizing the hair strands and making them smooth and healthy.
Ingredients:
- One cup yogurt.
- Half a ripe avocado.
- Two tablespoons of olive oil.
- One tablespoon of honey.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Directions of Use:
- Mix everything to make a fine paste.
- Apply this mixture on the scalp thoroughly.
- Cover the hair strands as well, from roots to tip.
- Gently massage the scalp making sure the mixture is well absorbed.
- Cover the hair and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.
Frequency of Use: Twice a week.
7. Aloe Vera and Yogurt for Hair:
Aloe vera has high anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help in dandruff relief and scalp health. The antioxidants in aloe vera boost hair growth and repair damaged hair. Aloe vera has excellent moisturizing properties that help in keeping the hair smooth and lustrous. It also soothes the scalp and helps treat dry hair and dry scalp. Aloe vera and yogurt work very well in improving the health and vitality of scalp and hair.
Ingredients:
- Three tablespoons of aloe vera gel.
- Two tablespoons of yogurt.
- Two tablespoons of olive oil.
- One tablespoon of honey.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Directions of Use:
- Mix everything to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture on the scalp thoroughly.
- Cover the hair strands as well, from roots to tip.
- Gently massage the scalp making sure the mixture is well absorbed.
- Cover the hair and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.
Frequency of Use: Twice a week.
Additional Benefits of Yogurt:
Let us look at some more advantages of yogurt on skin and hair:
- Apart from topical application, consuming fresh yogurt every day has numerous health benefits. It helps regulate the digestive system and promotes good bacteria in the gut that help in improving the general health of the body. A healthy body makes the hair and skin healthy.
- The proteins and vitamin B in yogurt help very well in treating split ends and brittleness in the hair strands
- Yogurt is rich in niacin, which helps prevent premature greying.
- Yogurt is an excellent moisturizer for the skin. It makes the skin soft, supple, and glowing.
- Yogurt treats acne, dark circles, dark spots, blackheads, blemishes, etc. effectively.
- Regular application of yogurt helps reduce wrinkles significantly.
Final Thoughts:
Haircare is never easy, but rich natural ingredients like yogurt help restore hair health without damaging your wallet. A healthy diet and exercise also contribute to hair health. Including fresh fruits and vegetables in our daily diet can help ward off many hair woes. Yogurt is a simple and everyday ingredient that can be highly beneficial if included in a regular hair care regimen. Let us revive this ancient tradition of using yogurt for hair.
