The ingredient that everyone is talking about is onion juice for grey hair. Is onion juice capable of preserving your natural hair color? Here’s more about this humble bulb and what it can do for your greys.

Table of contents:

• Why is my hair turning grey?
• How to prevent grey hair
• Why is onion juice a great solution for hair turning grey
• How to make onion oil without smell
• How to use onion oil
• Best Onion Juice Hair Products

Why is my hair turning grey?

Our hair follicles contain color-producing pigment cells called melanocytes. These melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment which gives our hair its color. As we grow older, these melanocytes gradually die. With fewer cells in a hair follicle, the strand of hair belonging to this follicle will have lesser melanin. The strand becomes transparent, taking on a silver, grey, or white color as it grows. You might even notice that the tip of a strand of long hair has color, while the same strand is white at the root.

Younger people turn grey because of various factors. According to research, genes could play a role in premature greying. So, if premature greying runs in your family, you could also have premature grey hair. 

Vitamin B-12 deficiency or a problem with your thyroid or pituitary glands could also cause premature greying. In these cases, melanocyte stem cells are not lost, and this premature greying can be prevented if the problem is treated in time. 

Some studies suggest that stress too can trigger premature greying.

Some foods like oranges, raw eggs, alcohol, and nicotine gum also cause premature greying.

Smoking, chemicals in hair products and dyes, certain medical conditions, and real-life stressors promote greying.

How to prevent grey hair

You can expect your hair to turn grey depending on your ethnicity. For example, if you are Caucasian, your will start turning grey in your mid-30s. If you are Asian, you can expect greys in your late 30s; if you are black, you can expect them in your mid-40s.

No matter what anyone tells you, greying is permanent because melanocyte stem cells are indeed lost, and it is impossible to regenerate pigment. However, there are several measures you can take to prevent prematurely greying:

• Treat any vitamin deficiencies. Vitamins A, C, B6, and B12 are especially critical to boost melanin production and prevent premature greying. Vitamin B6 triggers the production of enzymes that boost melanin and keratin metabolism in hair follicles.

• Eat healthily. Antioxidant-rich foods are the best. Foods like green leafy vegetables, vitamin C-rich foods, berries, dark chocolate, dairy products, soybeans, lentils, and even fermented foods can all ensure your hair does not grey prematurely.
  
  

• Quit smoking if you want your hair to retain its radiant natural color.

• Natural remedies like curry leaves, ridge gourd, Indian gooseberry, and black tea can help prevent greying naturally and safely.

Why is onion juice a great solution for hair turning grey

One of the reasons hair turns grey is the collection of hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicles. This hydrogen peroxide causes oxidative stress and greying. As the amount of hydrogen peroxide increases, there is a decrease in the amount of natural catalase.

Onions contain catalase - the antioxidant enzyme that reduces hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicles and prevents greying. Onions are rich in this enzyme - more catalase means the faster hydrogen peroxide breaks down in hair follicles. With less hydrogen peroxide, there is less damage to the melanocytes. Many believe that catalase can even restore hair’s original color.

How to make onion oil without smell

First, it’s important to clarify that the onion oil referred to here is not onion seed oil or onion essential oil. It is a unique formula prepared from onion bulbs.

Using onion oil on the scalp to prevent greying is a fantastic option, but onions are known to have a powerful smell, and onion oil prepared at home can smell pungent. Thankfully, there is a way to make onion oil that does not reek of the pungency of raw onions.

Ingredients:

• A couple of fresh red onions
• Coconut oil
• A fragrant essential oil of your choice

Method:

• Chop the onions into small cubes and blend them in a grinder.
• Add some coconut oil (about 1/4th cup) to a non-stick pan.
• Add the onion paste to the oil and mix it well.
• Gently heat the mixture for about three minutes.
  
  
• Take it off the stove and cool it.
• Strain the oil mixture.
• Add a couple of drops of essential oil to mask the smell of onions.
• Store the extracted oil in a non-metallic container.

How to use onion oil

You can use onion oil as a hot oil treatment or without heating it. Mix onion oil with a carrier oil such as olive oil for hot oil treatment. Heat it gently until it is lukewarm. Massage the oil into the lengths of your hair and your scalp. Let it stay on overnight, and wash it off with shampoo followed by a conditioner.

To use onion oil without heating, massage a little oil between your palms and then massage it into your scalp for about 15 minutes. Use circular motions to get the oil into your scalp. Leave the oil for a couple of hours before washing it with shampoo. Use it twice a week.

Best Onion Juice Hair Products

WOW Skin Science Onion Black Seed Hair Oil is made of an amalgamation of cold-pressed onion black seed oil, almond, olive, castor, jojoba, and coconut oil. It’s the perfect oil to nourish your scalp and hair. Packed with essential nutrients that nourish every strand of hair, it’s the perfect solution for all your hair woes. You are left with nourished, hydrated, healthy hair that shines and bounces with life.

WOW Skin Science Red Onion Black Seed Oil Hair Mask is the ideal solution to transform weak, limp, and undernourished hair into lush, smooth, and glossy. The mask contains red onion, black seed oil, argan oil, almond oil, and hydrolyzed wheat proteins.

The WOW Skin Science Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Combo is designed to clean and condition your hair. It strengthens the roots and every strand of hair and restores shine and softness. The plant-based shampoo clarifies the scalp and hair buildup, while the conditioner nourishes the scalp and hair, smooths frizz, and leaves the hair shiny and manageable.