Does Rinsing and Shampooing Your Hair With Beer Help?
Based on scientific research, beer's potential effects on hair health are limited at best, and, potentially mixed.
The primary components in beer that could theoretically benefit hair are B vitamins and proteins from the malted barley and hops. However, applying beer directly to hair or consuming it does not provide any significant hair care benefits.
Sure, some people use beer as a hair rinse, claiming that it adds volume and shine to their locks. These effects are temporary and primarily due to the protein coating the hair shaft (foamy follices for the win). Furthermore, the alcohol content in beer can actually lead to hair dryness and damage with repeated use - much like your liver.
For those interested in actually improving hair health, it would be more beneficial to focus on the things below. You know, beyond just knowing how soap works.
- Maintaining proper nutrition with adequate protein and essential vitamins
- Using professionally formulated hair care products
- Protecting hair from heat and environmental damage
- Staying properly hydrated
Would beer shampoo encourage hair growth?
Similarly, beer-based shampoos have minimal, if any effect on positive hair growth and stimulation. While these products often market the potential benefits of beer's proteins and B vitamins, the concentration and bioavailability of these compounds in beer-based shampoos are typically insufficient to impact hair growth cycles.
The primary factors that influence hair growth are genetic predisposition, hormonal balance, and overall nutritional status. Topical applications of beer-derived ingredients ... tend not to cut the mustard.
Furthermore, many commercial beer shampoos contain only trace amounts of beer or beer extracts, with their effects primarily attributable to standard cleansing and conditioning agents present in the formulation. In short, beer as a hair growth stimulant is marketing-based.
All of that said, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, or brewer's yeast, does help provide some benefit when applied to your body. Check out the Treatment Mask from CrazySkin if you want a Beer Yeast Hair Mask.
What beer-based products exist for your hair?
We aren't scientists. As such, we can't vouch for the efficacy of beer conditioner or beer shampoo on your hair. What we can say is that beer soap is excellent and we love the rich lather most beer soap brands deliver.