Cocoa powder and coffee are well-known for providing a boost of energy or sweet chocolate flavor. But did you know that both of these also offer surprising benefits for hair health and beauty?
While they may not seem like obvious haircare ingredients, coffee, and cocoa provide nutrients that repair the damage, protect hair from environmental pollution, and make strands look shinier and fuller.
If you want to know about all the benefits of cocoa and coffee for hair and how to use them on your hair, read this article till the end.
Is Coffee Good for Your Hair?
Coffee has gained popularity as a natural hair care ingredient due to its potential benefits for hair. Applying coffee to your scalp can be strong enough to energize your hair and stimulate its growth.
It contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that can improve blood circulation to the scalp and promote hair growth. Additionally, coffee’s antioxidants can help protect hair from damage caused by free radicals.
Benefits of Using Coffee on Your Hair
Here’s why you should consider using coffee on your hair:
Stimulates Hair Growth
Hair loss may occur for a variety of reasons. For example, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a sex hormone that damages hair follicles and causes baldness. This happens mainly in men, but women can suffer from too much DHT too.
According to a 2007 study, caffeine can block the DHT effect in male hair follicles, which restimulates hair growth and shaft elongation.
That doesn’t mean it won’t work for females. The study also showed that coffee can increase blood circulation to hair follicles, which promotes hair growth.
Promotes Healthier Hair
Coffee contains a generous amount of antioxidants and flavonoids. You won’t believe how strong these substances are. They can promote hair regeneration and improve dullness in no time.
Giving your hair a rinse with coffee can be enough to relieve frizziness. So, your hair will be softer and much easier to detangle.
Darkens Hair Color
For brunettes looking to give their hair color a boost, coffee can be a surprising yet effective tool.
The rich, dark qualities of brewed coffee can act as a natural dye on your hair, offering a temporary boost to your color.
But it’s not just about adding depth to the color. The coffee rinse can also impart a radiant gloss, making your locks appear more vibrant and full of life.
It’s a subtle change that can make a significant visual difference without the need for chemical dyes or treatments.
Exfoliates Scalp
Coffee can work as a perfect natural exfoliator for your scalp. Gently massaging brewed coffee beans onto your head before shampooing cleans the dead skin cells and stimulates blood flow.
This can lead to a healthier scalp, one that is necessary for robust hair growth. And you’re avoiding harsh chemicals that might irritate your skin as it is a natural exfoliator,
How to Use Coffee on Your Hair
There are two ways to use coffee on your hair. The first method is to use coffee grounds, which can help you exfoliate your scalp, but not all the nutrients will reach your hair.
Using coffee grounds is simple; you just need to rub them into your scalp and rinse with water. You can also mix coffee with other hair care products.
You can make a coffee hair mask by blending some coffee with a natural oil like coconut or olive. Spread this mix through your hair and over your scalp, then let it sit there for about half an hour.
If you want, it can be mixed with shampoo or conditioner too. Drop a spoonful of coffee grounds into your usual shampoo or conditioner. This little tweak can leave your hair looking shinier and feeling fuller.
The second method is my favorite. We’ll be making coffee rinse, which takes a little more time to prepare. Yet, it’s super easy to use.
What You’ll Need
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to prepare a coffee rinse:
- Two to four cups of brewed, cold coffee with no additives
- A spray bottle
- A plastic shower cap
Applying the Coffee Rinse
You can follow these steps to rinse your hair with coffee:
- First, pour your cold coffee into the spray water and get into the shower.
- Second, wash and condition your hair as you normally do.
- Third, while your hair is still wet, spray the coffee on your hair and saturate all the strands.
- Then, massage the liquid into your hair and scalp for a few minutes.
- After that, put on the shower cap and allow the coffee to sit on your hair for around 20 minutes.
- Finally, rinse the coffee with lukewarm water and pat your hair dry.
Is Cocoa Powder Good for Your Hair?
Cocoa is more than just a tasty ingredient you use in your drinks. In my experience, I found that it provides your hair with tons of benefits.
That’s because it’s rich in many nutrients, including the following:
- Potassium
- Unsaturated fatty acids
- Protein
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Iron
- Sodium
- Thiamin
- Vitamins E, K, and B6
Not only that, but cocoa powder is super rich in antioxidants, including procyanidin, catechin, and flavonol.
And let me tell you that these antioxidants work like magic. Cocoa powder can reverse hair damage and promote growth.
Benefits of Using Cocoa Powder on Your Hair
Like cocoa butter, cocoa powder is also packed with tons of nutrients and vitamins. Here are all the superb effects I’ve noticed after using cocoa on my hair:
Prevents Hair Loss and Promotes Natural Growth
This magical powder packs high amounts of amino acids, such as lysine and methionine. The amino acids nourish your hair roots. As a result, your hair will grow strong and healthy.
That’s not all. The powerful antioxidants in cocoa powder can penetrate your hair shafts and stimulate follicle growth from the inside, making your hair stronger than ever.
Fights Dandruff
Dandruff is an annoying condition that causes dryness and flaking of the scalp skin.
Luckily, cocoa powder can save the day! The carotenoids and amino acids that cocoa powder possesses have antimicrobial characteristics that fight this condition.
The most annoying thing about dandruff is that it causes an itchy feeling, but cocoa can fix that. It soothes the hair follicles, which repairs a lot of dandruff damage.
Protects Your Hair and Repairs Damage
Whether you’re out in the sun, around a lot of dirt and pollution, or just like using heat, your hair is prone to different kinds of damage.
One of the best ways to protect your precious hair is by using natural products, such as cocoa powder. You probably know that damaged hair requires nutrition to bounce back, and it’s all readily available in cocoa powder.
How to Apply Cocoa Powder on Your Hair
Both consuming and applying cocoa powder topically can help your hair become healthier. To get the best results, you can do both!
This way, you’ll be getting all the benefits from the inside out. So, make a cup of delicious hot cocoa, and let me tell you how to nourish your hair in no time:
What You’ll Need
You can’t just put cocoa powder on your hair and expect it to work. The powder won’t reach the hair follicles, and it won’t stay in place.
So, we have to mix it with other ingredients that’ll help the powder reach deep into your hair and give it some extra nourishment.
Here’s my secret recipe for making a cocoa hair mask:
- Cocoa powder
- Hot water
- Bentonite clay
- Coconut oil
- Aloe vera juice
- Peppermint oil
- Two tablespoons of honey
Preparing the Recipe
After gathering all the necessary materials, you can proceed with the following steps:
- Start by adding the clay, coconut oil, and cocoa powder to a bowl.
- After that, add hot water gradually and start mixing
- Then, add the rest of the ingredients.
- Continue mixing until the product becomes consistent and smooth.
- Finally, allow the mixture to cool down before using.
Applying the Hair Mask
To get the most out of the cocoa hair mask, you should apply it to clean, damp hair. Start by spreading the mixture from the scalp all the way to the ends of your hair.
I prefer letting the mask sit for at least an hour, as your hair needs some time to absorb all the nutrients. Then, wash it off with warm water.
I highly recommend applying your favorite conditioner and giving your hair another rinse. This will further nourish your hair and get rid of any cocoa residue.
Risk of Using Coffee or Cocoa Powder on Hair
While coffee and cocoa might be good for your hair in some ways, it’s important to remember they could have some downsides too:
- Dryness: The caffeine in coffee and cocoa can dry out your hair if you use it too much, leaving it brittle and with split ends.
- Rough on the Scalp: Both contain several compounds that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals such as theobromine and caffeine.
- Stains: Applying coffee or cocoa powder can get quite messy and it might leave traces on your hair and clothes.
Tips to Avoid the Downsides
You can easily avoid the downsides by following these tips:
- Only use coffee or cocoa on your hair occasionally, like once a week, to prevent drying out your hair.
- Mix coffee or cocoa with water or oils to make them gentler and less likely to stain.
- Try the treatment on just a small part of your hair first to see if you have a bad reaction.
- Always use a good moisturizer on your hair after these treatments to keep it from getting too dry.
Conclusion
So, both Cocoa Powder and Coffee are good for hair. Cocoa powder helps fight dandruff and adds an extra layer of protection to your hair. Similarly, coffee increases blood circulation to your hair follicles, which stimulates growth.
However, there are potential drawbacks such as drying out the hair, causing scalp irritation, and messiness due to the powders’ fine particles.
To minimize these issues, dilute the coffee ground or cocoa powder properly, do a patch test, and always follow up with a moisturizer to maintain hair hydration.
More Natural Ingredients for Hair:
Interested in exploring more natural ways for your hair care? Check out these informative articles on natural ingredients that are beneficial for hair care: