Mythbusters: Is Mayonnaise Good For Hair?

If you're a fan of reality TV, maybe you're familiar with Big Ed, one of the men in the third season of 90-Day-Fiance. And if you're familiar with Big Ed, you're probably also familiar with a weird DIY hair treatment he featured on the show. Want a hint? Well, it involved mayonnaise.

A lot of people may have given him flak for it, but we're here to see if his unconventional hair treatment does have some merits. In today's ZALA Mythbusters, we'll answer the question: Is mayonnaise good for hair?

Although it may seem hard to believe, using mayonnaise as a hair mask was already around long before Big Ed featured it on TLC. Many people, mostly those with wavy and curly strands, have been touting the use of mayonnaise as an alternative treatment for soft and smooth hair.

Another claim is that mayonnaise can solve issues like dandruff, itchy scalp, and even hair loss. This, in addition to stories saying that mayonnaise masks can instantly turn even the limpest and dullest hair into shiny and glossy strands, makes mayonnaise a rather popular alternative hair treatment even in recent times.

What is mayonnaise made of?

Mayonnaise, also known as mayo, is primarily made of oil, egg yolks, vinegar, and lemon juice. The exact ingredients vary per manufacturer though, since some brands use olive oil instead of canola oil, some add mustard, etc.

Why mayonnaise?

If you think about it, this 'myth' is not entirely baseless, especially for people who have wavy or curly hair types.

For one, mayonnaise has oil, which is something that wavy or curly hair typically lacks. Many wavy or curly-haired people suffer from dry hair due to a lack of natural sebum.

Two, mayonnaise contains egg yolks. Eggs are very good for the hair because they contain plenty of amino acids including collagen and protein, which can help with hair growth.

Three, vinegar has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce dandruff. Vinegar can also balance the pH levels on your scalp, which helps your hair follicles become stronger and tighter.

That said, there's no study that says mayonnaise itself can improve your hair's condition.

Ingredients

• One cup of mayonnaise
• One egg

Steps

• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together one cup of mayonnaise and one egg until the mixture becomes creamy.
• Apply the mixture to your hair evenly using a wide-toothed comb.
• Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap for at least 30 minutes.
• Rinse your hair with lukewarm water to get all the mayonnaise out.
• Afterward, use a sulfate-free shampoo and then condition your hair as usual.

As of writing, there's still no scientific basis for this claim. Although the individual ingredients in mayonnaise are theoretically good for hair, you might be better off just using those ingredients as a standalone rather than using them when they're already in mayonnaise form.

However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence supporting the good effects of mayonnaise for hair. Many wavy and curly-haired individuals online have gone public saying that mayonnaise does work for them.

Honestly, in our opinion, there's nothing wrong with trying it out to see if it works for you. Mayonnaise is non-toxic and completely safe to use, so if it works, then it's all good. If it doesn't, there are still plenty of other DIY treatments out there.

For more ZALA Mythbuster articles, don't forget to check out the ZALA blog!