Could bananas be one of the world’s most perfect foods? You be the judge. Popular? Check. Convenient? Check. Tasty? Check. A superfood? Check. Not to mention bananas are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can nourish and strengthen your hair. Try these banana hair masks to help improve hair elasticity, reduce frizz, and add shine.
Jump to:
- Banana Benefits for Hair
- How To Use Bananas on Hair
- 1. Banana Honey Hair Mask for All Hair Types
- 2. Olive Oil + Banana Mask for Dry Hair
- 3. Banana Egg Hair Mask for Thinning Hair
- 4. Coconut Avocado Banana Hair Mask for Curly Hair
- 5. Banana Hair Mask for Dandruff
- 6. Banana Yogurt Mask for Frizzy Hair
- 7. Oatmeal Banana Mask for Fine Hair
- 8. Protein Banana Hair Mask for Growth and Repair
- FAQ
Banana Benefits for Hair
Potassium-rich
One of the most potassium-dense foods, bananas help improve muscle function, making them a perfect choice after a run or tough workout. The potassium in bananas is an essential mineral that also supports our heart, muscles, and nerve function [source].
Nutrient-dense
Are there any other vitamins and minerals found in bananas that benefit our bodies, skin, and hair? Absolutely—they also contain antioxidants, vitamins A, B2, B6, E, and C, magnesium, iron, and manganese, to name just a few [source].
Vitamin A, in particular, restores moisture in both skin and hair, while folic acid helps the hair shine.
Silica strong
Silica is also found in bananas [source], and our body uses it to produce collagen. Collagen is not only crucial for healthy skin [source] but also helps hair stay healthy and glossy.
Hair texture, strength, and shine can change throughout life. Hormones, environment, diet, life changes, and stress can all impact our hair health. With a few minutes and a couple of bananas, you can restore strand shine.
How To Use Bananas on Hair
It’s perfectly natural to be questioning the wisdom of putting a banana in your hair. “Won’t that be a TOTAL mess?” you ask. The answer is no, not if you do it right!
The key is getting the right consistency with the banana. You do not want to be picking banana pieces out of your hair!
To avoid that, you want to start with a cream-like banana puree. Mashing alone is not enough!
Think of it like you’re making banana ice cream. This ensures the banana will easily wash out of your hair.
Step 1 | Blend Well
It’s hard to blend a whole banana in a blender without liquid, so we recommend either using a smaller blender (like a single serve or an immersion) or a food processor. First, break up the banana in a bowl with a fork, then add it to the blender with any additional ingredients.
You can’t overdo the mixing, so let it run for 20 to 30 seconds. Aim for a runny, smoothie-like consistency with zero lumps. (But even if you do have some lumps in your mask, it won't hurt anything. Just make sure to shampoo twice to get it all out!)
Step 2 | Apply + Contain the Mess
Then wrap a towel around your shoulders to catch drips, and apply the banana mixture to your hair from roots to ends. Put on a hair cap or wrap your hair in a towel or plastic wrap to avoid getting banana bits everywhere.
Step 3 | Chill Then Rinse
Wait 20-30 minutes, and then rinse well. Stand under the water for a minute or so to get as much of the mask out of your hair as possible. Then shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
1. Banana Honey Hair Mask for All Hair Types
Super simple and effective, this 2-ingredient hair mask reduces frizz and increases shine. The vitamin A and potassium in bananas help repair and strengthen strands, while hydrating amino acids penetrate the follicles to moisturize from within.
Honey, a natural humectant, locks in moisture and enhances shine.
—1 ripe banana
—1 teaspoon honey
After peeling one banana into a bowl, use a fork to mash it until it reaches a soft, thickly pureed consistency. Add the honey as you mix it well.
Apply to your hair, paying careful attention to the roots and the ends. Cover with a shower cap and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then rinse, shampoo, and condition as normal.
2. Olive Oil + Banana Mask for Dry Hair
Take our two-ingredient mask and kick it up a notch with an added boost of hydration. Adding just a few tablespoons of olive oil packs a lot of moisture if your hair is feeling dry or brittle.
—1 ripe banana
—1 teaspoon honey
—1–2 tablespoon olive oil
In a blender, combine 1 peeled banana, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture to damp hair from roots to ends and cover with a shower cap. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse. Use it once every other week.
3. Banana Egg Hair Mask for Thinning Hair
Losing a bit more hair each time you brush or wash your hair? This banana hair mask with coconut oil and egg is a wonderful scalp treatment to stimulate and nourish your hair follicles.
—½ banana
—1 egg
—1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
—½ teaspoon honey
Combine these ingredients well. Apply the mixture to damp, clean hair, focusing on the scalp, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse. Repeat once a week.
4. Coconut Avocado Banana Hair Mask for Curly Hair
By putting the antioxidants from bananas [source] and avocado to work, this treatment leaves your hair and scalp soft and conditioned. It's hydrating but won't weigh down your curls.
Coconut milk contains lauric acid [source] that helps repair hair damage and supports the building of keratin, the protein that strengthens hair.
—½ banana, very ripe
—½ avocado
—3 tablespoon coconut milk
Mash the banana and avocado together in a small bowl until you have a very smooth consistency. Add the coconut milk and stir to combine.
Massage the mixture into dry hair, then wrap your hair with a warm towel and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse hair and shampoo as usual.
5. Banana Hair Mask for Dandruff
Remedy a flaky scalp with a banana sugar scalp scrub. The fruit’s antimicrobial agents [source] kill dandruff-causing fungus and the sugar whisks away flakes.
—1 banana, mashed or pureed
—¾ cup sugar (either white or brown is fine)
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Rub the mixture onto a damp scalp for 1 minute, then wash and rinse.
6. Banana Yogurt Mask for Frizzy Hair
If humidity has turned your hair into a frizzy mess, try this frizz-busting banana yogurt hair mask. The fruit’s water content combined with the fats in yogurt deliver extra moisture, while banana’s amino acids seal the hair cuticle.
—1 banana, mashed
—½ cup plain yogurt
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Apply the mixture working from the roots to the ends of damp hair. Sit for 15 minutes, then rinse and shampoo. Repeat weekly.
7. Oatmeal Banana Mask for Fine Hair
Rich in potassium, vitamins, and natural oils, bananas help nourish the hair follicle and promote elasticity and strength. Mix with a dash of castor oil for hydration and some colloidal oats and full-fat milk to remove buildup, and you're in business.
— 1 ripe banana
— 1 teaspoon castor oil
— 2 teaspoon ground oatmeal
— 1 tablespoon full-fat milk
Mash the banana in a small bowl until it's smooth and creamy. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Massage it gently into clean, dry hair for a few minutes to stimulate circulation and promote absorption.
Then wrap your hair with a warm towel and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse hair with lukewarm water and shampoo as usual.
8. Protein Banana Hair Mask for Growth and Repair
In need of a deep conditioner for your super parched strands? This restorative hair treatment packs a punch.
Thanks to keratin and argan oil, this mask can help replenish lost protein and boost shine, leaving hair stronger, smoother, and more resilient.
— 1 banana
— 1 keratin capsule
— 1 tablespoon argan oil
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Wash and towel dry your hair. Then apply the mixture working from the roots to the ends, using a comb to distribute it evenly, if needed.
Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and shampoo. Repeat weekly.
FAQ
Ripe bananas are typically used for hair masks as they are easier to mash and have a higher nutrient content. Overripe bananas with brown spots are often preferred.
It's generally recommended to use a banana hair mask once a week for best results. However, individuals with oily hair may want to use it less frequently.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove the banana hair treatment. You may need to shampoo your hair afterward to ensure no banana residue remains.
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