Is Milk Good For Hair? Benefits And How To Apply

Milk is a popular traditional hair care remedy used to soften and condition hair. But the benefits of milk for hair don’t end there. It is also said to reduce split ends and manage dryness. Milk may also curb frizz, smoothen hair, and improve hair texture. It can also be paired with other ingredients like eggs and fruits to make hair masks and packs. Using these masks replenishes hair and offers a visible transformation in your hair condition. Keep reading to explore the benefits of using milk on your hair and understand how to use it effectively.

Trivia

It is believed that queen Cleopatra bathed in milk daily to keep her skin and hair nourished and healthy.

Types Of Milk

Different types of milk offer unique benefits for your hair. Here are five types of milk:

1. Cow Milk

Cow milk is rich in protein and essential vitamins like vitamin D and calcium that help strengthen your hair and promote healthy growth (1)(2).

2. Almond Milk

Almond milk, with its light texture and nutty flavor, is a popular dairy alternative and also a great option for your hair. It contains zinc that helps nourishes the scalp, improves hair texture, and prevents hair loss (1)(3).

3. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is known for its rich, creamy consistency and high-fat content. This makes it a fantastic natural conditioner, adding shine and softness to your hair. It’s packed with vitamins C and E, promoting a healthy scalp and hair growth (1)(4).

4. Oat Milk

Oat milk is an ideal choice for those with hair prone to dryness. It may help make your hair feel softer, smoother, and less frizzy.
Each type of milk brings its own set of benefits, so choosing the right one can depend on your hair’s specific needs. Read on to learn more on the benefits of applying milk on your hair.

Benefits Of Applying Milk On The Hair

Milk is rich in proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants and is beneficial for health (5). It is often used in traditional recipes to keep the hair soft and smooth. While there is no scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of topical application of milk for the hair, anecdotal evidence claims that it conditions the hair and restores its natural shine. It may also reduce split ends, manage dryness, and provide hydration to stimulate hair growth and improve strength. Let’s check out the other benefits of washing your hair with milk.

1. Reduces Split Ends

Excessive exposure to UV rays can damage your hair, affect the hair color and shaft’s integrity, and cause protein loss (6) This may make your hair brittle and cause split ends. Applying milk and milk cream can moisturize the hair and minimize split ends.

2. Conditions The Hair

If you have dry and frizzy hair, you can wash your hair with milk. The cream in milk smoothens the hair cuticles, moisturizes the strands, nourishes the scalp with milk nutrients, and works as a deep conditioner to keep your hair manageable, soft, and smooth.

3. May Help Control Hair Loss

If you want to try applying milk to your hair and see if it works for your hair type, you can follow the methods discussed below.

4. May Offer A Straightened Look To The Hair

Milk does not help in straightening curly hair, but it may help improve its texture and reduce frizz. Though it is not scientifically proven, the proteins present in milk are said to also help nourish the scalp and hair, which may make it appear smoother.

5. May Help Reduce Dandruff

Milk and its products may help improve the health of the scalp and hair. They often serve as moisturizers, aiming to restore and enhance the scalp and hair (7). Thus, it may help soothe the scalp and reduce dandruff. However, more research is warranted in this regard.
If you are wondering how to draw these benefits from milk and how to incorporate it in your hair care routine, check out the section below!

How To Apply Milk On Hair

Note: Use full cream milk or coconut milk for maximum hair benefits (if you are allergic to milk)

1. Milk As Hair Wash

You Will Need

• 200-300 ml of milk

Method

1. Detangle your clean and dry hair with a wide-toothed comb.
2. Pour and massage the milk into your hair and scalp.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Wash off with a mild cleanser.
5. Let it air dry.

2. Milk As Spray

You Will Need

• 200-300 ml of raw milk
• A spray bottle

Method

1. Pour the milk into the spray bottle. Adjust the quantity as per your hair length.
2. Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb and section it.
3. Spray the milk covering your hair from root to tip.
4. Repeat with all the strands.
5. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water.
6. You may use a mild shampoo to wash your hair.

3) DIY Milk-Based Hair Masks

a). Milk + Egg Hair Mask

Combining eggs with nutrient-rich milk creates a perfect hair mask for silky, lustrous tresses (8).

What You Need

• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• A few drops of lemon juice

Method

1. Break two eggs in a bowl.
2. Add half a cup of milk and whisk until well combined.
3. Add a few drops of lemon juice and mix.
4. Apply the mask to your hair, ensuring it covers from root to tip.
5. Let it sit for 30-40 minutes.
6. Rinse thoroughly and wash with a sweet-smelling shampoo.
7. Use this mask once a week for naturally glossy hair.

b). Banana Milkshake Hair Mask

Bananas and milk are incredibly moisturizing and can bring your dry hair back to life (9).

You Will Need

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup milk

Method

1. Blend the banana and milk until smooth.
2. Apply the mixture to your hair, from roots to tips.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse with a mild shampoo.
5. Repeat twice a week for soft, luscious hair.

Deepthi, a blogger, tried using milk mixed with honey on her hair to improve her hair health. She was very happy with the outcome. She said, “I am quite happy with the results. My hair feels soft, smooth, healthy, and more hydrated than ever (i).”

Quick Tip

You can make a DIY hair mask by blending a ripe banana with half a cup of milk. Apply it to your hair, leave it on for 30 minutes, and shampoo your hair.

Infographic: Amazing Benefits Of Applying Milk To The Hair

Milk is rich in proteins and antioxidants that offer many benefits. This traditional hair care remedy is used to condition and smoothen the hair. Applying milk to the hair minimizes split ends, nourishes the hair, and reduces hair loss. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the amazing benefits of applying milk to the hair.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we apply milk to hair daily?

Yes, you can apply milk as a pre-wash treatment for an hour daily for soft and smooth hair.

Does milk cause gray hair?

No, milk does not cause gray hair. Gray hair may be caused by vitamin deficiencies (10). Milk contains essential vitamins and minerals which may slow down the graying of your hair (11).

Does milk increase dandruff?

Milk is rich in vitamins and minerals that may hydrate the scalp which may keep dandruff at bay.

Can we apply milk on oily hair?

Milk is rich in fat which may make your oily hair look more greasy. You will have to shampoo well afterwards if you apply milk on your hair.

Illustration: Is Milk Good For Hair? Benefits And How To Apply

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to apply milk to your scalp to cleanse hair follicles and give your hair a natural, healthy shine! Get tips on the best way to use milk for hair treatments in the video below.

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.

Read full bio of Madison Dufour

Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

Read full bio of Jyotsana Rao

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor

Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.

Read full bio of Krati Darak