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Beer is traditionally used as a folk remedy for strengthening hair. Useful components in its composition nourish the bulbs, give the strands elasticity and healthy shine. In Soviet times, a foamy drink was used as a substitute for conditioner, and in the 60s, beer became a popular styling product in the United States thanks to hairdresser Jacqueline Kennedy, who used it to do the hair of the first lady.
American trichologists investigated the effect of beer on hair. The experiment involved 100 women who added beer to masks, conditioners and rinses. As a result, the condition of the hairline has improved significantly: the volume has increased, the bulbs have strengthened, the strands have become elastic and shiny.
The benefits of beer for hair
The effect is due to the rich vitamin and mineral composition of the drink. It contains many useful substances:
- vitamins of group B;
- a nicotinic acid;
- biotin;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- protein.
B vitamins play an important role in metabolic processes. Riboflavin (B2) facilitates protein uptake by cells and improves hair structure. Pantothenic acid (B5) promotes the renewal of the upper layer of the skin and prevents the development of dermatitis. Cyanocobalamin (B12) stimulates growth and repairs damaged strands.
Nicotinic acid dilates blood vessels, thereby contributing to the nutrition of the follicles. The substance strengthens hair follicles, prevents excess fat production and actively fights dandruff.
Broo cosmetics founder Sarah Pearsall recommends washing your hair with beer once a week to improve the condition of your scalp and the appearance of your hair. But at the same time, it is necessary to carefully approach the composition – it must be completely natural.
How to choose a beer to wash your hair
Pay attention to the properties of the product. Pasteurized varieties with a long shelf life are not suitable. The foamy drink must be brewed in full accordance with the old Bavarian purity law: from malt, hops and water. Fresh “live” beer is suitable for cosmetic procedures, where the concentration of useful components is especially high.
In choosing, be guided by your hair color: blondes should give preference to light varieties. Before making any masks, you need to make sure that there are no allergies. To do this, beer must be applied to a small area of skin on the inside of the elbow. If there is no reaction within a day, you can proceed to the procedures.
How to wash your hair with beer
Beer for hair is used in its pure form and as part of masks. First you need to wash your hair without using the conditioner and blot excess moisture with a towel. Since hops and alcohol dry out the scalp, it is recommended that owners of dry and damaged strands do beer treatments no more than once every two weeks.
Procedure:
- Leave 0,5 liters of the drink for an hour in an open container so that the carbon dioxide disappears.
- Warm up the beer to a comfortable temperature.
- Wet hair well.
- Massage the roots for 5 minutes.
Useful components will last longer if the head is not washed, and styling or curling will last for several days.
beer masks
Beer masks with the addition of natural ingredients are no less effective. The compositions are kept on the head for 30-60 minutes, and then washed off with water. Components are selected depending on the type of hair:
- dry and damaged – in 0,5 liters of beer add 1 tbsp. l. burdock oil, apply to strands, hold under cellophane for 1 hour;
- thin and weak – 0,5 tbsp. mix sour cream and egg yolk with 150 ml of beer, rub into hair and roots, wash off after an hour;
- fatty – prepare an infusion of 1 tbsp. l. chamomile and 200 ml of water, add 100 ml of beer, apply the composition to the hair and roots, massage. Do not rinse.
Disadvantages of the method and contraindications
The main disadvantage of beer procedures is the smell, which is poorly weathered and remains on the hair until the next wash. A few drops of essential oil added to the mask or conditioner will help get rid of the characteristic aroma.
In addition, the strands can become sticky. This property is useful for fixing hairstyles, but not too high-quality beers can stick together hair, causing curls to look greasy. Buy beer only from trusted brands and make sure that there are no additives in the drink.
Thin hair can lose volume due to the fact that a thin film forms on them. This gives the strands shine, but at the same time makes the curls heavier. Rinsing with water will help to compensate for the deficiency. But in this way the effect of the procedure is reduced, so the splendor of the hairstyle can be added using styling on curlers.
Contraindications include individual intolerance to any of the components of the product, wounds and abrasions on the scalp, dermatological diseases.