Onion water: what the pros really think

Cardi B recently revealed on Instagram that she washes her hair in onion water to help it grow and keep it looking shiny. The rapper revealed that she had been boiling onions and using the water to wash her hair as part of her 'healthy hair growth journey' claiming it is odourless and gives her hair that much sought after shine. We are seeing more and more products on the market that lean into the 'liquid hair' with a glass-like shine trend, but along with that we are also seeing a rise in online hair hacks that claim to provide a more natural, DIY path to glossy locks. We have no doubt that some of your clients may be one of Cardi B's 139 million followers, so will they be thinking about changing their hair routine? https://www.instagram.com/p/ChKqlNsOs5_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link We spoke to the experts to find out if there's any truth to the claim that there are healthy properties in onion water and whether we should be encouraging - or discouraging - clients to do the same.

What the Pros Really Think

Reid Hale, floor manager at Samuel Chapman Salon tell us: "Hairdressers are always amazed by fresh, unique ways to enhance the health of our hair, but with onion water, can you imagine the smell?" Reid goes on to say there are some advantages: "The advantages themselves would be Vitamin C, which is beautiful for growth and development and accompanying Vitamin B6 which also supports healthy hair growth, so you have the perfect combination." "Yes, onion water can be good for your hair." says Suzie McGill, artistic director at Rainbow Room International. "The reason for this is that onion water contains sulphur, which, when used on hair, can help to give it strength and elasticity. This then leads to the hair looking healthier, thicker and being less prone to damage." However, Suzie warns that clients should be careful if they're considering following Cardi B's advice, "A thing to keep in mind for clients looking to try onion water on their hair is that, particularly for those with a sensitive scalp, it may cause irritation or a reddening on the scalp. With that in mind, should a client want to try this at home, they should start by trying it on a small area. If the client has any side effects, they should avoid washing their hair with the onion water going forward. It’s also best when trying this out to not leave it in the hair too long, as this may lead to the irritation. It will also of course not have a very nice smell; therefore, clients should always ensure if they are trying this out, that they follow by washing their hair with a good quality shampoo and conditioner." Onions have been proven to have high levels of Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant, says Adam Lawton, salon manager at Samuel Chapman Salon. "It can reduce things like yellowing of the hair and increase cell turn over of the scalp so it can potentially be quite beneficial." There are, however, alternatives to using onion water explains Adam: "Putting raw onion water on your hair might produce a slightly unpleasant smell which most clients won't want, but there are other products out there which will have similar properties or contain high quantities of Vitamin C which still have all the benefits, without the odour!" Although pros can see the benefit of using onion water, many insist that there are alternatives: "The pros of using onion water is said to be that onions contain sulphur which can help prevent thinning and breakage. The cons of this is onions, as we all know can be quite caustic to the skin, so irritation in terms of redness and itching may occur." warns Georgia Bell, INNOluxe Superstar.

What Should I Tell My Clients?

"As bizarre as it sounds, onion water is in fact good for the hair and has been heightened by the celebrity use and mention across social media. Onions are natural and powerful antioxidants that can also battle premature greying of hair and this has been verified by science over the course of many years. However in my own personal opinion, sticking to what we know is key and I am a firm believer that normal running water along with a professional shampoo and conditioner is the best combination." says Andrew Smith, Andrew Smith Salons and global ambassador for z.one concepts. Brian Leo McCallum, owner of ROAR Hair and Beauty, also suggests that if the water is hard in the area where your clients live you should advise that they use a deep cleansing or purifying shampoo every two or three washes to cleanse the scalp, "I would definitely advise to hold the onion water!" So as for washing your hair in onion water we would recommend that clients steer clear for now as there are definitely much better - and better smelling - alternatives out there. Find out what the pros really think about caster oil and whether it's the secret to fuller, longer looking hair.