Yes, you can wash your hair with garlic water, but it's more accurately used as a hair rinse after shampooing.
Garlic water, prepared by steeping garlic cloves in water, is sometimes used as a home remedy for hair health. Advocates suggest it can help with hair growth, reduce hair loss, and improve scalp health due to garlic's purported antimicrobial and stimulating properties.
Here's how it's generally used:
- Prepare the Garlic Water: Crush or chop several garlic cloves and steep them in warm water for a few hours, or even overnight.
- Strain the Water: Remove the garlic pieces to avoid them getting stuck in your hair.
- Shampoo Your Hair: Wash your hair as you normally would.
- Apply Garlic Water Rinse: Pour the garlic-infused water over your hair and scalp, massaging it in.
- Let it Sit: Allow the garlic water to sit on your hair for a few minutes (e.g., 5-10 minutes).
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water. Some sources suggest avoiding hot water for this final rinse.
Important Considerations:
- Smell: Garlic has a strong odor that may linger in your hair even after rinsing. You might consider adding a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or rosemary) to the garlic water to help mask the smell.
- Allergies: Before applying garlic water to your entire scalp, test it on a small area of skin to check for any allergic reactions.
- Irritation: Garlic can be irritating to some people. If you experience any burning, itching, or redness, discontinue use.
- Dilution: Using diluted garlic water is generally recommended to minimize potential irritation.
- Honey: As mentioned in the reference, you can create a hair mask using garlic and honey. After applying this mask, wash your hair with clean water to remove the mixture.
While some people report positive results from using garlic water on their hair, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited. It's always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare professional before trying any new hair treatments, especially if you have any underlying scalp conditions.
