How to Use Yogurt for Faster and Healthier Hair Growth: 12 Tips Backed by Science

Last updated Oct 23, 2023 1,301 0

Yogurt has been revered for centuries for its ability to nourish hair and stimulate faster, healthier growth. Packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and gut-healthy probiotics, yogurt provides a myriad of benefits for gorgeous, strong and shiny locks.

The Struggle is Real: Hair Loss Statistics

Before diving into the yogurt tips, let’s look at some context on the prevalence of hair loss and thinning hair. According to statistics from The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery:

Over 50 million men and 30 million women in United States are experiencing some form of hair loss or alopecia.
By age 50, about 50% of women are affected by thinning hair.
Hair loss affects roughly 80 million men and women in the United States.
Androgenetic alopecia, or female/male pattern baldness, accounts for about 95% of hair loss.
The hair loss treatment market is estimated to be worth over $12 billion globally.

With hair loss being such a widespread issue for both men and women, it’s no wonder people are seeking natural, affordable at-home remedies to thicken hair, prevent thinning and stimulate growth.

The Science Behind Yogurt’s Hair Benefits

Before we get into the tips, let’s look at why yogurt works so well for hair health:

Protein

Yogurt is rich in hair-strengthening protein – a 6 oz serving provides 9 grams. This nourishes follicles and hair strands. Protein is also the building block of keratin, the structural protein that makes up 90% of hair. A lack of protein leads to weak, brittle hair that is more prone to breaking and falling out.

B Vitamins

Yogurt contains B5 (pantothenic acid) and B12, both involved in hair health. B vitamins aid in producing melanin, which gives hair its color. They are also involved in hair metabolism and cell growth.

Vitamin D

Important for hair cycle regulation, vitamin D encourages new hair follicles and stimulates dormant ones.

Calcium

This mineral plays a role in hair growth by regulating cell metabolism in hair follicles. A calcium deficiency can lead to hair loss.

Magnesium

Magnesium helps transport calcium into hair follicles and cells – this mineral combo promotes strong, healthy hair growth.

Biotin

Small amounts of biotin (vitamin B7) are found in yogurt. Biotin deficiency has been linked to hair loss. It helps produce keratin and keep hair strong.

Lactic Acid

Naturally found in yogurt, lactic acid gently removes residue and lightens hair over time. It also nourishes the scalp and hair.

Probiotics

The healthy bacteria in yogurt improves digestion and gut health, which is important for hair growth. An imbalance of gut bacteria affects nutrient absorption and can cause hair thinning.

Now that we understand the science behind why yogurt works, let’s get into the tips and techniques for using yogurt to promote fast, healthy hair growth!

1. Eat Yogurt Daily for Hair Growth

One of the easiest ways to harness yogurt’s hair-healthy nutrients is to simply eat it every day! Aim for 1 cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt per day. The proteins, B vitamins, vitamin D, calcium, biotin and probiotics will work from the inside to strengthen hair follicles and stimulate faster growth.

Look for Greek yogurt for an even bigger protein boost – one serving provides 17-20 grams. Pair your yogurt with vitamin C foods like berries, oranges or bell peppers. The vitamin C aids with iron absorption, and iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss.

If you don’t like eating yogurt plain, you can always add some fruit, nuts and seeds, use it as the base for a smoothie, or make overnight oats by mixing yogurt with oats and letting it sit in the fridge. There are tons of ways to eat more yogurt!

2. Use Yogurt as a Soothing Hair Mask

Now let’s talk about using yogurt directly on your hair and scalp! Applying a nourishing yogurt hair mask is an easy DIY treatment to strengthen strands, boost growth and improve texture. The probiotics, proteins, vitamins and minerals in yogurt deeply nourish hair follicles down to the roots.

How To Apply a Yogurt Hair Mask

In a bowl, thoroughly mix 1 cup of plain yogurt until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. For more moisture, opt for a full fat yogurt.
Part your damp hair, then apply the yogurt mask evenly from roots to tips, making sure to coat your entire scalp.
Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the mask and ensure even application.
Cover hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and let the yogurt marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
Rinse out thoroughly with cool water, then shampoo as normal. Make sure to rinse very well, as leftover yogurt can leave hair limp.
Repeat 1-2 times per week for best results. Consistency is key!

If you have an itchy or irritated scalp, leave the yogurt on for 1-2 hours to allow the soothing proteins and probiotics to work their magic.

You’ll notice softer, shinier, more moisturized hair with regular use as the yogurt conditions, detangles and seals in moisture. Plus, hair will grow faster thanks to the boosted circulation from root to tip.

Customize Your Yogurt Mask

Plain yogurt on its own works great. But you can also customize your mask by blending in other nourishing ingredients to address specific hair needs:

Honey – for extra moisture and shine
Olive or coconut oil – to coat hair and prevent moisture loss
Avocado – fatty acids to strengthen and thicken hair
Egg – protein for stronger hair and biotin to stimulate growth
Apple cider vinegar – clarifies and exfoliates clogged follicles
Essential oils like rosemary, lavender, peppermint – improve circulation to encourage growth
Banana – repairs damaged hair and provides moisture
Aloe vera gel – soothes the scalp and boosts growth

Mix 2-3 tablespoons of your chosen ingredients into 1 cup of yogurt to create your custom mask. Apply as above, letting it sit for 30 minutes before washing out. Use this fortifying treatment 1-2 times per week for hair that looks and feels healthier.

3. Use Yogurt as a Natural Conditioner

In addition to a weekly mask, yogurt’s moisturizing powers make it a great natural conditioner you can use more regularly. For best results as a conditioner, opt for a thinner, more watery yogurt – this spreads through hair more easily.

Here’s how to condition your hair with yogurt:

After shampooing, comb yogurt through clean, damp hair. Focus on coating the ends which tend to be drier.
If your hair is longer, use more yogurt – up to 1/3 cup for very long or thick hair.
Leave the yogurt conditioner on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out thoroughly with cool water.
Style as usual. The yogurt will leave hair bouncy and shiny.
Use yogurt as conditioner a few times per week in place of your regular conditioner.

Yogurt conditions hair in two ways – the proteins coat the strand to seal in moisture, while the acids remove buildup or hard minerals from the water that can make hair appear dull and tangled.

Your hair will feel softer, smoother and more hydrated with regular use of a yogurt conditioner. Say goodbye to knots and tangles!

4. Try a Clarifying Yogurt Hair Rinse

For another way to use yogurt’s conditioning powers, whip up this clarifying yogurt rinse:

In a bowl, combine 1 cup plain yogurt with 1-2 cups water and stir to mix thoroughly.
After shampooing, pour the yogurt rinse through your hair from roots to tips.
Let it sit briefly, then rinse out thoroughly with cool water.

This diluted yogurt rinse helps remove any residue buildup from hair products, hard water minerals, chlorine etc. So you’re left with super clean yet conditioned hair.

The lactic acid in yogurt dissolves the gunk while the nourishing proteins smooth down the hair cuticles. Use this rinse once a week or biweekly for the best results.

5. Prevent Dandruff and Soothe Scalp Irritation

If you suffer from an irritated, flaky scalp, yogurt can help provide relief. The probiotics create a balanced microbiome on the scalp, which helps treat and prevent yeast overgrowth that causes dandruff.

Yogurt also has antifungal properties that soothe itchiness and inflammation. Its cooling sensation instantly calms and hydrates.

To use yogurt for a dandruff treatment:

Apply a thick layer of yogurt directly onto your scalp and throughout hair.
Cover with a shower cap and allow it to penetrate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours.
Wash out thoroughly with a gentle shampoo.
Repeat 2-3 times a week to relieve itching and flakiness.

The live cultures in yogurt will balance out the scalp while the proteins moisturize flakes away. Be consistent for best results.

For severe dandruff, leave the yogurt treatment on overnight to allow the active ingredients to soak into the scalp while you sleep. You’ll wake up with refreshed, hydrated hair.

6. Soothe an Itchy, Irritated Scalp

Even if you don’t have full-on dandruff, yogurt can help soothe an irritated, inflamed scalp. The probiotics reduce redness and inflammation. The creamy fats provide soothing hydration for dry scalps.

Here are two ways to use yogurt to calm an angry scalp:

Scalp Massage

Apply about 1/4 cup of plain yogurt onto your irritated scalp before bed.
Use your fingertips to gently massage the yogurt into the scalp for 2-3 minutes. This stimulates circulation.
Twist your hair up into a bun and leave the yogurt treatment on overnight.
Rinse out thoroughly in the morning – your scalp will feel fresh and soothed.

Cold Yogurt Compress

Soak a clean towel in plain yogurt and wring out the excess.
Wrap the yogurt-infused towel around your head and leave it on for 30 minutes.
Unwrap, rinse away any yogurt residue and shampoo your hair.

The cooling sensation will instantly relieve itchiness and pain. Do either treatment 2-3 times a week until the scalp irritation subsides.

7. Lighten Hair Gently and Safely

If you want to naturally lighten your hair a few shades without using harsh chemicals, yogurt is your new go-to!

The lactic acid found in yogurt acts as a gentle bleaching agent that lifts color from the hair over time. It works gradually to avoid damage.

Here’s how to safely lighten your hair with yogurt:

Apply plain yogurt thoroughly across damp hair. Work into roots, ends and lengths.
Sit outside in direct sunlight for 30 minutes. The sun activates and amplifies the lightening effect.
After 30 minutes, rinse out the yogurt and shampoo as normal.
Repeat 2-3 times a week, sitting in the sun each time.

You should notice subtle lightening after 1-2 weeks of doing this consistently. The yogurt will lift color while keeping your hair strong and soft.

If you have colored or chemically-treated hair, wait until your color starts fading to try this lightening technique. It works best on virgin or previously lightened hair.

8. Boost Moisture in Dry, Damaged Hair

Yogurt is the perfect natural treatment for dry, damaged hair that needs a major moisture boost. The fats and proteins in yogurt hydrate hair and improve moisture retention, combatting dryness.

Here’s how to use yogurt for intense hydration:

After shampooing, apply a generous amount of yogurt from roots to ends.
Work the yogurt through sections of your hair until every strand is coated.
Cover with a shower cap and let the yogurt penetrate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water – this helps seal in moisture.
Style as usual. Hair will feel noticeably softer and smoother.
Use this treatment once a week to see major improvement in moisture levels.

You can also create a super-hydrating hair mask by mixing yogurt with oils like olive, coconut or avocado oil before applying. The oil helps seal in the moisture delivered by yogurt proteins.

With regular use, yogurt’s hydrating powers can help revive the most parched hair and improve texture.

9. Strengthen Hair and Prevent Breakage

In addition to moisture, yogurt also strengthens and repairs hair to prevent damage and breakage over time. The nutrients in yogurt nourish and fortify weak, porous hair.

The proteins encourage strong keratin development to reinforce the hair shaft. The vitamins and minerals improve structural integrity of each strand, making hair less prone to split ends and breakage.

To strengthen your hair with yogurt:

After shampooing, smooth a generous amount of yogurt through sections of damp hair.
Twist hair into a bun atop your head and secure with a clip.
Leave the yogurt treatment on for at least 30 minutes, up to a few hours.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water and finish styling as usual.
Apply this strengthening treatment 1-2 times per week.

With continued use, hair of all textures becomes resistant to breakage caused by brushing, washing, environmental damage, heat styling and more thanks to yogurt’s fortifying powers.

10. Stimulate Follicles for Faster Hair Growth

Now for the good stuff – let’s talk about how yogurt boosts circulation to stimulate faster hair growth! The nutrients in yogurt nourish and feed hair follicles to optimize the growth cycle.

The Science Behind It

The protein, B vitamins and vitamin D found in yogurt all contribute to faster hair growth:

Protein encourages production of new hair and strengthens existing strands.
B vitamins aid cell metabolism and growth.
Vitamin D encourages new follicles and lengthens the growth phase.

In addition, massaging any nourishing ingredient into the scalp boosts blood flow. This brings more nutrients to the hair follicles, revving up the growth cycle.

How To Do It

Apply a generous amount of yogurt across your damp scalp after washing.
Using your fingertips, massage the yogurt thoroughly into your scalp for 2-3 minutes. Focus on areas of concern like the hairline, temples or crown.
Continue massaging as you work the yogurt down the hair lengths to coat every strand.
Allow yogurt to penetrate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours, before rinsing out.

Aim to stimulate your scalp with a yogurt massage 2-3 times per week for the best growth results. You’ll notice faster growth in as little as 4-6 weeks.

11. Add Shine and Manageability

In addition to stimulating growth, yogurt also boosts shine and manageability so hair looks its best as it grows out.

The proteins in yogurt help seal the outer cuticle down flat. This creates a glossy, reflective surface that makes hair look super shiny.

The acids in yogurt strip away built-up residue from hair products, hard water minerals and pollution that can dull hair’s natural luster.

The overall smoother texture makes hair more manageable and less prone to tangled ends.

Here are two easy ways to use yogurt for added shine:

Yogurt Conditioner

After shampooing, smooth yogurt through damp hair and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
The proteins seal the cuticle while the acids chew through residue.
Rinse thoroughly. Hair will be noticeably shinier!

Yogurt & Lemon Rinse

Combine 1 cup yogurt, juice of 1 lemon and 1 cup water. Mix well.
After shampooing, pour the rinse through your hair and let it sit briefly.
Rinse out and style as usual. The acids from the lemon and yogurt remove residue that causes dullness.

Use one of these treatments once a week for guaranteed gleaming, manageable hair. Pair it with a scalp massage to stimulate growth and shine!

12. Make DIY Styling Products with Yogurt

You can also add shine, smooth flyaways and boost manageability by using yogurt to make your own natural styling products:

Frizz-Fighting Styling Cream

Whisk together 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp coconut oil and 2 tbsp honey until creamy.
Apply a small amount to the ends and flyaways as needed while styling to control frizz and add shine.

Smoothing Hair Gel

In a bowl, combine 1 cup boiling water with 2 packets of unflavored gelatin. Stir until dissolved.
Add in 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt and 2 tbsp honey. Mix well.
Transfer to bottles or jars and refrigerate until set. Apply to control frizz and flyaways.

Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner

Blend 1 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
Smooth through damp hair after washing and allow to air dry. Leaves hair soft and shiny.

Volumizing Root Lifter

Mix 1/4 cup yogurt with 1 tsp coconut oil and 1 raw egg yolk using a whisk.
Apply just to roots and blow dry upside down for extra lift.

So there you have it – 12 tips, tricks and techniques for using the power of yogurt to get softer, shinier, faster-growing hair. With its nourishing ingredients and gut-healthy probiotics, yogurt is truly a miracle worker when it comes to hair health and growth.

To recap, be sure to:

Eat yogurt daily for hair-healthy probiotics, protein, vitamins and minerals
Apply yogurt masks weekly to deeply condition strands and scalp
Use as a natural conditioner for softness and detangling
Make yogurt hair rinses to remove residue and mineral buildup
Massage yogurt into scalp to stimulate growth by improving circulation

Take advantage of yogurt’s ability to add shine and manageability
Look for Greek yogurt for an extra protein boost
Customize masks by mixing in oils, eggs, honey, etc. to address specific needs
Pair yogurt with vitamin C foods to maximize iron absorption and prevent hair loss
Be patient and consistent – hair growth is a gradual process!

We hope these tips empower you to unleash the potential of yogurt for healthier, faster-growing hair. Let us know in the comments if you decide to try using yogurt on your locks! We’d love to hear your experiences and results.

And don’t forget to share this article if you found it helpful. There are lots of people out there struggling with lackluster hair who could benefit from yogurt’s many benefits.