Is sulphur good for hair? Where can you find sulphur-rich foods? Is onion juice a good treatment for hair growth. To find out all this and more, read on below!
Hair growth methods are one of the most commonly searched topics on Google and I am not surprised!
A lot of people experience loss of hair in the present day and the factors that contribute to this problem are many.
Some of the common factors are improper diet and lifestyle, environmental factors like pollution and ultra-violet (UV) radiation.
There are also personal factors like stress, hormonal changes, pregnancy and childbirth in women. And of course improper hair care and frequent use of hair styling products and hair styling tools.
Therefore, looking out for the right ways to increase hair growth are always recommended.
And one of the best methods is by adding sulphur into not just your hair care routine but also into your diet, so you can get a double effect of the sulphur towards your hair growth.
This article will tell you all about what sulphur is, what are the benefits and disadvantages of sulphur for your hair (yes, everything does have its own disadvantages).
You will also find ways to increase your intake of sulphur and how to add it to your hair care routine.
I’ve also covered two of the most frequently asked questions when we talk about sulphur for hair growth, but I’m going to save that for the end, so make sure to read the entire article!
Well then, let’s get started!
Is Sulphur Good for Hair Growth
Sulphur In The Human Body
Sulphur is one of the most abundant minerals present in the human body, well of course calcium is the first.
Sulphur is very essential to promote better body metabolism and synthesize the proteins in the body while also balancing out the oxidative stress and inflammation our bodies go through over time.
Our hair is made up of a protein called ‘keratin’ and this protein contains a very high content of sulphur that is present in the form of two amino acids called methionine and cysteine.
This sulphur helps boost the effects of the keratin in the hair, which can help promote better hair strength and elasticity.
Therefore, without sufficient sulphur, the hair will tend to become dry and brittle over time, leading to hair breakage.
Sulphur helps prolong the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, which means it extends the hair growth phase of hair and shortens the telogen or resting phase of hair, increasing the time for the growth of hair to take place.
What foods are rich in sulphur?
Apart from using topical forms of sulphur on your hair, consuming sulphur in the form of food items will help boost the levels of the amino acid methionine in the body.
As it cannot be synthesized by the body, it needs to be consumed through external sources through food items like –
- Animal-based sources like meat, eggs and fish.
- Plant-based sources like legumes, oats, lentils, nuts, seeds and grains. Also, vegetables like wheat germ, garlic, asparagus, and onions. Especially green leafy veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, etc.
Related: What Happens If I Leave Coffee In My Hair Overnight
What are the benefits of sulphur for your hair?
Extends the hair growth phase of the hair cycle
The human hair and hair follicles go through three essential stages – the anagen phase or the hair growth phase, the catagen phase or the transitional phase and the telogen phase or the shedding phase.
The role of sulphur in hair growth is in extending the anagen phase of hair growth.
This is important because the longer the anagen phase is, the more time the hair follicles get to grow and produce new hair strands.
This in turn contributes to the significant increase in the hair growth on your scalp.
Prevents lice infestation and scalp infections
Lice infestation is most common among children, but can also occur in adults.
Using sulphur is known to be an effective treatment method to get rid of lice, but may not be a complete cure.
Apart from lice infestation, many people suffer from various sorts of scalp conditions like dandruff and scalp infections like seborrheic dermatitis and scalp eczema.
Sulphur has antibacterial properties that can help reduce these scalp conditions.
Related: Peppermint Oil For Hair Growth
Related: Best Fruits For Hair Growth
Related: Best Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner For Hair Growth
Promotes better hair health
Like I mentioned earlier, sulphur is an important amino acid that helps boost the efficacy of the protein keratin in the hair.
Keratin is a protein that is like the scaffolding to the hair. It helps promote hair growth, hair strength, hair regeneration and hair elasticity.
This is essential to hair health because it can keep the hair away from breakage and brittleness, which the lack of sulphur can otherwise cause.
Sulphur also helps improve hair texture and softness, by reducing the formation of dry hair and split ends.
Can sulphur have any side-effects on your hair?
Just like using any other hair treatment, using sulphur too in appropriate quantities for the hair will be useful.
But if sulphur is used in excess, the topical application of sulphur can cause the skin to get irritated and can result in dry skin and skin conditions like eczema.
Another probable side effect of using sulphur on your hair, in excess, is the fact that sulphur can cause too much moisture removal from the hair.
A certain amount of moisture is required for the hair as it keeps the hair away from drying out and becoming brittle. When there is a lack of moisture in the hair, the hair begins to look dry and unhealthy.
Here’s a word of caution, sulphur is usually safe, but doing a patch test is always recommended before complete application on the hair.
How do you add sulphur to your hair care routine to promote hair growth?
Apart from consuming the right kinds of food to get sulphur from your diet, topical applications too can be used.
Here are two ways you can use sulphur for your hair:
1. DIY Coconut oil and Sulphur Powder hair mask:
Ingredients:
½ cup organic coconut oil
½ tsp sulphur powder
How to use this mask:
Mix the sulphur powder in the coconut oil until you get a smooth mixture. Then, using an applicator brush, partition your hair and apply this all over your scalp and hair, evenly, while gently massaging it in. Cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
Caution: As mentioned above, patch testing is always recommended before complete application.
2. Onion Juice hair mask:
Since onions are rich in sulphur, it is one of the best ways to get the effects of topical sulphur on hair to promote hair growth.
How to make onion juice at home:
You will require approximately one medium/big sized onion for medium length hair for this mask.
Peel the onion and wash it under running water to get rid of any dirt. Then chop it into a few pieces and grind it into a fine paste in a mixer.
Then strain out the juice using a fine-mesh strainer or squeeze out the juice using a muslin cloth. This sulphur hair growth recipe should give you long, shiny tresses in no time!
How to use this mask:
The easiest way to apply this mask is by pouring the juice into a liquid applicator bottle as it is very liquidy and will not be easy to apply using an applicator brush.
Partition your hair and apply this mask all over your scalp, evenly. Since the mixture is in liquid form, some of it will already begin to seep down the length of your hair.
Nevertheless, you can apply the remaining over your hair as well and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
Caution: I recommend using a shower cap to cover your head while you wait 30 minutes before rinsing it off, as the onion juice may get into your eyes and it will begin to burn. In case the juice enters your eyes, just rinse off with plain water.
How to use sulfur for hair growth
Sulfur is known to improve scalp health, enhance hair growth, reduce dandruff, and even promote thicker, healthier strands of hair. It can be used as both a shampoo and a leave-in treatment, making it great for anyone interested in improving the health of their hair and scalp.
When using sulfur for hair growth, it’s important to begin with the right shampoo. Look for a formula that includes sulfur and other natural ingredients that can help to nourish and promote healthy hair growth.
Applying the shampoo directly to wet hair and gently massaging it into the scalp is a great way to jumpstart healthy hair growth. Leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing to allow time for the sulfur to take effect.
For those who want a more intensive approach to using sulfur for hair growth, there are also leave-in treatments available, such as foam or cream. These leave-in treatments should be applied directly to the scalp after shampooing and should be massaged in thoroughly.
Leave-in treatments can be applied right before bed and rinsed out in the morning. This way, the sulfur can sit on the scalp overnight and work its magic.
Using sulfur in combination with other natural ingredients is a great way to maximize the effectiveness of this mineral for hair growth. There are several other minerals and vitamins known to be beneficial for healthy hair growth, such as biotin, vitamin E, and zinc.
Combining sulfur with these other minerals and vitamins in an all-in-one solution can be great for those looking for an even more effective way to use sulfur for hair growth.
For anyone looking to incorporate sulfur into their haircare routine, it’s important to be patient. Like any other hair care routine, this one may take time before showing noticeable effects.
Giving the treatment a few weeks to take effect is the best way to go. Patients will be paid off when results start to show.
Does sulfur make your hair lighter and thinner?
When it comes to hair health, there has been plenty of debate about the potential that sulfur may have on it. With its potential to lighten the color of your hair, as well as potentially making it thinner, many have questioned whether sulfur is good for hair or not.
First of all, it’s important to understand exactly how sulfur affects hair. Sulfur is a naturally occurring element, and when it comes into contact with the hair keratin, it can speed up the oxidation reaction. This in turn can cause the hair color to lighten, but it can also cause the hair to become weaker and more prone to breakage.
However, before jumping to conclusions about whether sulfur is good or bad for hair, it’s important to understand that the effects are quite individualized. While some may find that their hair lightens and becomes thinner after coming into contact with sulfur, others may find that their hair remains the same or even benefits from the exposure.
The key to determining whether sulfur is good for your hair or not is to experiment, and observe the effects it has over time. If you decide to use products containing sulfur, make sure to consult with a hair expert beforehand and pay close attention to any adverse effects.
For instance, if your hair becomes drier or starts to break more easily after using sulfur, then it may be a good idea to stop using it immediately. On the other hand, if it helps to lighten your hair color or make it softer, then there’s a good chance that it may be beneficial.
The bottom line is that the effects of sulfur on hair can vary from person to person, so it’s important to take the time to experiment and observe the impacts it has on your hair. Ultimately, you will know better than anyone else whether sulfur is good for your hair or not.
FAQs about sulphur for hair growth
Just as I had promised to give you the answers to two of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to sulphur for hair growth, here they are:
What’s the relation between onions, sulphur and hair growth?
I’m sure a lot of you must have heard about onion juice being a “wonder potion” for your hair or the application of onion oil can boost hair growth and yes, this information is no myth, they are actual facts! It is definitely worth the hype it gets.
Onion is a rich source of sulphur, which is very essential to improve the body’s collagen production.
Collagen is another structural protein in the human body that helps build keratin by producing some of the amino acids used by keratin to support hair and hair health.
The collagen in the hair also helps promote better and more nourished hair follicles, which can produce healthier and stronger hair strands with improved hair growth.
What is MSM and does it promote hair growth?
Well, I’ve also always wanted to know the answer to this question myself and now since I do, let me share it with you guys as well.
MSM (or Methylsulfonylmethane) is the sulphur compound found in humans and has properties of anti-inflammation.
Therefore, the lack of sulphur in the body can cause osteoporosis and joint pain and that’s why a lot of people consume MSM supplements to relieve them from the pain, by increasing their levels of sulphur in the body.
Since sulphur is well-known for improving hair health and promoting hair growth, people often conclude that MSM can promote hair growth by forming bonds that can promote better hair strength.
While this could be true, there is not much research to back up this claim and therefore still remains inconclusive until further research is done.
The final takeaway
Well guys, I hope this article has given you the best insights on sulphur for hair growth and has hopefully answered most of your questions in this regard.
In my opinion, the best way to get your daily dose of sulphur is by consuming the right kinds of sulphur rich food, apart from just topical applications.
Also Read:
Best hair growth pills for men
Best laser hair growth devices
Best hair growth products for African Americans
How Much Does Hair Grow In 2 Weeks
Is Vicks Vaporub Good For Hair Growth
To Summarize