DIY banana hair mask, can be a great addition to your hair care routine. Using ingredients you have on hand makes this recipe simple, and using bananas that you might consider too ripe to eat is a great way to eliminate food waste.
While it may seem strange to cover your head with a smushed banana concoction, banana hair masks are in fact great for reviving dry, damaged hair. A ripe banana has high moisture content and is loaded with nutrients like vitamins A, B6, C, and D, calcium, and potassium. These nutrients help to strengthen the hair while also leaving it soft, shiny, and more manageable. An added benefit is the moisturizing effects that not only benefit your hair but also your skin. This means your homemade banana hair mask will also condition your scalp, helping to prevent and control dandruff.
What you will need:
- 1 blender or fork
- 1 bowl
- 1 to 2 ripe banana(s)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or honey
- Working Time: 5 – 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Blend or mash until smooth. Blending will take 1-2 minutes. If you use a fork, make sure all the lumps are worked out. It is helpful if you start mashing the banana with your hand while removing it from the peel.
Once the banana is a smooth consistency, add the oil or honey depending on your mask of choice. Blend or whisk for another 10-30 seconds. The honey version will create more of a paste consistency.
Separate your hair into at least four sections. Apply the paste from roots to ends; if your hair tends to be curlier, apply from ends to roots. If you want the benefits the mask can give to your scalp, make sure you apply it there as well.
Use a shower cap to cover hair and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Covering hair with a towel will help the nutrients penetrate the hair by keeping it warm and opening the hair shaft.
Rinse hair thoroughly with cool to lukewarm water. You may need to use a wide tooth comb to make sure all of the banana is out of your hair. Debris left in hair can cause irritation.
The addition of oil and honey to your hair mask are for more than just thinning the mixture and making it easier to apply. Honey has long been lauded for its antibacterial and fungicidal properties. It is also moisturising and can regulate the pH of the skin making it great for the hair and scalp.
Olive Oil is another great moisturiser for the hair. The phenolic compounds within the oil also make it antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiviral. The combination with bananas have the potential to make a powerfully hydrating hair mask.
The olive oil can be substituted for other conditioning oils such as coconut oil or avocado oil. Combining all of them together is also an option. Keep in mind that the more oil you have in the mixture the runnier it will be. The oil can also cause the floor of the shower or bathtub to be slippery so use caution when rinsing out your hair.
The oils from avocados have the ability to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin to really condition the scalp. In addition, it stimulates the hair follicles improving blood circulation.
Aloe contains anti-inflammatory components making it useful for the treating of scalp conditions. Like avocado, it improves blood circulation in the scalp and can help promote hair growth. Aloe can also leave fibers in the hair, so it’s important to blend it well and make sure it is thoroughly rinsed from the hair. Straining the mixture will also assist with removing the larger pieces.
Adding yogurt to the mixture will add to the conditioning elements of the mask.The proteins in yogurt also help to keep the hair healthy and strong. For vegans, coconut milk can be used as it contains a fair amount of coconut oil.5 Coconut milk also possesses iron and potassium. These nutrients will reduce hair breakage.
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