You probably know that witch hazel is good for your skin, but have you ever thought of using it as a shampoo alternative on your hair? There may be a solid reason why it's showing up more frequently in shampoos and conditioners these days. This ubiquitous component in cosmetics is also beneficial for your hair. What may and cannot be accomplished by using witch hazel on your hair is discussed further below. Everyone has their own idea of what makes them beautiful: a tried-and-true skincare routine, how often they wash their hair, or what new cosmetics they want to try. For this reason, we solicit advice from a wide range of authors, educators, and other specialists on topics as varied as the ideal sheet mask for your skin type and the myriad ways in which products may be applied. 
If you see a shopping link for a particular product or brand, be assured that it has been extensively investigated by our staff and is something we think you'll enjoy. Please explain. The history and usefulness of witch hazel go back a long way. The extract is derived from Hamamelis virginiana, a plant that grows naturally in North America and Japan. Native Americans have relied on it for decades to soothe minor skin wounds and inflammation. Witch hazel is one of the few botanicals recognized by the FDA (FDA). Hair health advantages Due to its oil-absorbing properties, witch hazel is becoming increasingly popular in the hair care industry. Witch hazel, says Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic specialist, is an effective calming agent. According to Mariwalla, "Witch hazel is a natural astringent typically used to calm inflamed and red skin," which it would accomplish for your scalp. Witch hazel may be the answer if you suffer from oily or greasy hair and dryness or dandruff on the scalp. In order to stimulate hair growth Using witch hazel to stimulate hair growth is the subject of scant scientific inquiry. Nonetheless, several anecdotes have circulated concerning the effectiveness of witch hazel in halting hair loss. Rosacea, a chronic skin disorder characterized by red, bumpy patches on the face, was associated with hair loss or alopecia in one research (source trust). It has been proven that when prescribed for rosacea, witch hazel can alleviate symptoms even in severe cases. 
Because it calms inflammation in the hair follicles, witch hazel may be able to stop the hair loss before it starts. The effectiveness of witch hazel as a hair-growth therapy still has to be investigated. Intended for use in bleaching hair If you're wondering if witch hazel can help your hair get lighter, the answer is probably not. No studies support this claim, and no chemicals in witch hazel are known to aid in hair lightening. However, if you use too much witch hazel, your hair may become extremely dry and seem lighter. Keep this in mind, especially if your hair is often on the drier side. Witch hazel isn't often used before or during a hair removal treatment, although it is often used afterward. After waxing or shaving, many people use witch hazel on their skin to calm any irritation, minimize any swelling, and return the skin's natural pH balance. Witch hazel's astringent properties help the skin contract after treatment, facilitating recovery. Health benefits for the hair and scalp Some of witch hazel's advantages for the scalp include: minimizing sebum production improvement in itching, and reduction in inflammation Has an anti-oil effect There's a good reason why oily and acne-prone skin types gravitate toward witch hazel toners. With its astringent characteristics and ability to reduce inflammation, witch hazel is helpful in reducing oily skin and hair. Helps prevent flaking Dandruff can develop from an irritated scalp, but oiliness and product accumulation can play a role. Due to its cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel has the potential to solve both problems. 
Reduces swelling and pain Pain, itching, and peeling are all symptoms of inflammation. redness \sscaling The effectiveness of witch hazel in reducing inflammation and irritation has been well-documented. Witch hazel shampoo was proven to be beneficial in reducing itching and discomfort for 1,373 participants in a 2014 research (trustworthy source). Some people with sensitive scalps owing to illnesses like psoriasis or eczema have found relief from using witch hazel as a shampoo. Inflammation can be effectively treated with witch hazel, according to a 2017 study (trustworthy source). Scalp cleansing In addition to preventing dryness and controlling oil production, witch hazel can help soothe itching. Because of this, it is an excellent choice for washing hair that has been styled in braids or twists. Because of its inherent calming characteristics, witch hazel is an ideal treatment for dry scalp, which, according to Mariwalla, causes undesirable flaky dandruff and irritation. The extra oil in greasy hair may be soaked up by the witch hazel, which will leave your hair thick and shining. However, further study is required to assess witch hazel's efficacy in treating these illnesses. How well does it work on dandruff? There is limited evidence that witch hazel is helpful in the treatment of scalp fungus. 
However, keeping your scalp clean and dry is one of several measures you can take to protect yourself against scalp fungus, which typically takes the form of a yeast infection. If you're concerned about developing scalp fungus, including witch hazel in your regular hair care routine will help. The Proper Way to Make Use of It Make sure the witch hazel product you choose does not include any alcohol. The scalp might become dry and irritated when exposed to alcohol. You may use a dropper, a spray bottle, or a cotton pad drenched with witch hazel to administer the solution straight to your scalp. The following are the necessary actions to take, regardless of the approach you take: Use witch hazel on your part and hairline as a drop, spritz, or dab. The recommended time for using witch hazel is 5-10 minutes. Just wash your hair as usual. You can dilute the witch hazel with water if your scalp is susceptible. You should pat it into your part and hairline and let it sit for a while. There is no need to use shampoo. Performing this action more than once or twice each week is excessive. There are additional witch hazel-based options available. Yes, to Assam Tea. Use a gentle sugar scrub like Pre-Shampoo Scalp Scrub before shampooing if you have a dry, itchy scalp. The astringent properties of the Witch Hazel Shampoo by Grandpa Soap Co. can help tame frizz by eliminating product buildup from hair and follicles. Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and witch hazel come together in the revitalizing shampoo OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo. OGX also provides a witch hazel-based Scalp Treatment with revitalizing Teatree Mint. Recipes If you have access to any witch hazel, you may use it in a wide variety of home-cooked dishes. You may incorporate these into your standard hair maintenance. Make your own witch hazel hair rinse A beautiful hair tonic may be made by combining essential oils, hempseed oil, and witch hazel to saturate the hair and scalp in moisture and boost its elasticity, volume, and shine. 
Ingredients
- Witch hazel extract (three tablespoons)
- One teaspoon of oil (hempseed, olive, etc.)
- Add ten drops of essential oil that are suitable for the scalp, such as peppermint or lavender.
- Spray bottle, glass, 4 ounces
- purified water that has been boiled down to its elemental state
Directions
- Pour the hempseed oil and witch hazel into a spray bottle.
- Pour distilled water into the bottle until it is within an inch of the top.
- Put in some aromatic oils.
- A slight shaking facilitates blending.
Safety Mariwalla claims that witch hazel may be used safely because it is a natural product with few side effects. Because it might cause dryness in some people, a patch test is recommended before complete application to the scalp. It's also wise to check with a dermatologist to be sure witch hazel is safe for your skin.