Home Remedy Egg Protein Treatment For Hair

Eggs are packed with protein, sulfur and biotin, all of which contribute to shiny, healthy hair when eaten or applied as a hair mask. Because of the quick spoilage rate of this natural product, commercial hair products don't contain eggs. Yet, home treatments using eggs require little time, expense or experience. Use either whole eggs or egg yolks to condition dry and damaged hair.

Basic Method

Herbalist Barbara Griggs notes that the basic conditioning treatment for eggs is simplicity itself. Beat one or two eggs. Apply the egg mixture to clean, dry hair, working from scalp to ends. Wait at least 30 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Follow the water rinse with a shampoo. Complete the treatment with a homemade vinegar rinse or commercial rinse.

Deluxe Method

The home remedy website Grannymed.com suggests combining the fatty and antioxidant richness of coconut and avocado with the eggs for a super-rich hair treatment. Mix 1 egg yolk, ½ mashed avocado and enough coconut milk to form a paste. Work it into the hair from scalp to ends, leave on for at least 30 minutes, rinse and shampoo.

Coloring and Conditioning Treatment

Author Kathi Keville's "Herbs for Health and Healing" presents a 19th century egg and henna protein pack. The henna adds auburn highlights while the egg counteracts the drying effect of the henna. Combine 1 beaten egg, 1 tsp. olive oil, 2 tbsp. honey, 23 oz. henna, 24 drops lavender essential oil and enough lukewarm water to reach the consistency of cake batter. Work the mixture through your hair, cover it with plastic wrap, and leave on for one to two hours. Rinse and shampoo as described in the basic method. Alternatively, substitute chamomile for blonde highlights and sage or clove for dark highlights.

Warnings

Use a fresh carton of eggs to avoid an unpleasant-smelling surprise when breaking open the eggs. Rinse the egg pack with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water will literally cook the eggs.

Alternatives

Grannymed.com suggests other simple treatments to condition dry or damaged hair for those squeamish about using eggs in their hair. They include a hot oil treatment with olive-rosemary or sesame-ginger oil or an apple-cider vinegar rinse.

Other Egg-Hair Connections

Eating eggs can be as critical to a healthy mane as applying them to your hair. Protein is "the building block of hair," notes Fitness magazine. Eat two servings of healthy protein each day, including eggs or egg whites. The B-complex vitamin known as biotin, which shows up in many shampoos and conditioners for topical applications, also results in thicker, healthier hair when taken internally. Sulfur fights hair-related conditions such as dandruff and clogged hair follicles. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests eating egg yolks to increase your biotin and sulfur intake. Other sources include vitamin supplements, fortified cereals, corn and barley.