Eggs are all-natural and packed with a number of nutrients. One egg has 13 essential vitamins and minerals in varying amounts, high-quality protein and antioxidants, all for 70 calories. We’ve previously looked at the efficacy of applying eggs topically to hair, but we can’t deny that many women in our curly community have had positive results from doing egg treatments. As with all methods, it’s really a matter of finding out what works for you, and for me these two recipes have given my hair the protein it needs – both nutritionally and topically.
Add Eggs to Your Diet
Aside from protein found in the egg white, the yolk carries several important nutrients including choline, sulphur, and vitamins B12 & D. Eggs also include all 9 essential amino acids and keratin. Because our hair is primarily made up of keratin, eating foods high in this protein only makes sense to help support it. Eggs also support the health and growth of nails and because of the lutein inside, helping with skin elasticity.
There are so many different ways you can cook eggs to prepare it for any meal or snack including scrambled, soft boiled, hard boiled, poached, sunnyside or fried. You can add vegetables, meats, herbs, spices, cheese or really anything to your eggs to make it a complete meal and taste wonderful.
The way I incorporate eggs into my diet
- Dice 2-3 hard boiled eggs small.
- Mix with 2 tablespoons of greek yogurt, and one quarter of an avocado in a bowl.
- Enjoy one piece of whole grain toast on the side.
This is a complete meal that is high in protein, healthy fats and good carbs.
Egg Pre-Poo Protein Treatment
Using eggs topically
- adds strength to the hair follicle
- increases manageability
- promotes hair growth
- increases shine and volume
- conditions the cuticle
Directions
- Wet hair, shampoo as usual.
- Squeeze excess water out of hair with a towel.
- Start with one whole egg. If you have longer hair, use more. For my dry, very long hair which I have a lot of fine strands, I use 3 eggs to ensure thorough coverage throughout my length.
- Beat the egg as if you were preparing scrambled eggs.
- Apply to hair section by section evenly from roots to tip. Make sure to apply to your scalp as well. Massage into scalp to help the nutrients get to the follicle and help stimulate hair growth. Finger-comb treatment through hair to ensure it coats all strands evenly.
- Leave on hair for 15-20 minutes. Wrap your hair in a warm towel so heat enhances the treatment.
- Rinse hair with cool or warm water. Do not rinse with hot water–it can essentially cook the egg and you can wind up with scrambled egg throughout your hair which will become hard to remove.
- Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
Optional
For best results, do this treatment once a week. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to this mixture for additional benefits to your hair.
Add these for more benefits
- yogurt or milk for deeper conditioning.
- coconut or sweet almond oil for hydration.
- lemon juice for extra volume.
- avocado for increased softness.*
*Blondes, be careful with the avocado because using straight up avocado in your hair can turn it green.
Does it smell though?
As your egg treatment dries in your hair, you may find the smell to be a bit unpleasant. But once it is rinsed and shampooed out, the smell absolutely should not linger at all in the hair.What are some of your favorite egg recipes? Have you tried an egg as a pre-poo or deep conditioning hair treatment? What were your results?
