Are you a true coffee lover? Does your morning not start without a cup of piping hot coffee? Is coffee a big stress buster for you? If you answer ‘yes’ to all these questions, you can take your coffee love to the next level by using it for hair care. While caffeine, the prime element in coffee, can relieve you from stress and make you rejuvenated instantly, it can boost the health of your hair and give it a refreshingly silky shine, too. You can get a long, robust, lustrous mane with coffee without spending much on commercial hair products. All you need to do is include this readily available kitchen ingredient in your regular hair care regime. If you want to try this magic product for hair enhancement, here are some simple DIY coffee shampoo recipes. But before that, let’s talk about coffee and its hair benefits.
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound of the methylxanthine class, commonly found in coffee, tea, cola, and beverages. It is a psychoactive substance that stimulates our central nervous system (CNS). Hence, caffeine is a potent stimulant, especially among athletes. Besides boosting energy levels, it improves mental alertness, treats migraine headaches, increases urine flow, cures breathing problems in newborns, etc. Caffeine has also been effective in ADHD, OCD, asthma, hepatitis C, Parkinson’s disease, gallbladder disease, type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and so on. (1)
Pure or highly concentrated forms of caffeine are a serious health concern and can even lead to death. Too high doses of caffeine are used as illegal stimulants and hence, strictly prohibited by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).(2)
Benefits of DIY Coffee Shampoo
Coffee powder is great for our hair thanks to its high caffeine content. Ground coffee is incorporated in hair treatments; it works directly on the scalp and does wonders for the locks. Following are some of the benefits that your hair gets to enjoy from homemade coffee shampoo:
1. Caffeine increases blood circulation throughout our scalp, stimulating hair follicles and significantly boosting hair growth. So, adding the coffee powder to your shampoo will make your hair grow much faster!
2. Coffee is enriched with antioxidants that are invigorating for our hair. If you treat your damaged hair with coffee regularly, the antioxidant properties will repair it and prevent further damage.
3. Coffee can give you a healthy scalp, essential for a healthy and beautiful mane. It frees the scalp from product buildup and sanitizes hair safely and naturally.
4. Your hair (pH 3.67) and scalp (pH 5.5) are naturally acidic. Coffee is also acidic, which helps rebalance the pH levels of the hair and scalp. (3)
5. Coffee can naturally make your mane look healthy and radiant by adding a beautiful shine. You don’t need to spend on expensive hair styling products to get glossy, lustrous hair, as you can quickly get it with the help of coffee.
6. Coffee not only makes your hair super shiny, but it also turns dry, frizzy hair softer and smoother. If you struggle to manage your damaged and dehydrated locks, DIY coffee shampoo can help you organize them.
7. Coffee is a natural hair dye that is safe and beneficial. It can even bring out incredible highlights in brown locks.
Read Also – DIY: Henna and Coffee Hair Dye for Shiny and Beautiful Hair
How Does Coffee Help in Hair Growth?
Coffee has several hair-friendly components that can proactively stimulate hair cells, strengthening hair and stimulating growth. Here is what you need to know:
1. Antioxidants to Get Healthy Hair Cell
Coffee contains high antioxidants that stimulate the production of healthy cells in the scalp. Moreover, it also helps protect the hair cells so that your tresses stay safe from damage, especially from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
It is suggested that you opt for darker coffee beans such as Espresso and French roast in order to get maximum benefits of antioxidants.
2. Prevents Frequent Hair Fall
Research has revealed that caffeine is highly effective in reproducing hair follicles healthily and vigorously. As a stimulator in hair growth, caffeine is also suitable for quickly preventing hair fall problems. If coffee is applied correctly, it can penetrate deep into the hair roots, nourish the follicles, and restore the growth of hair fibers. (4)
Simple DIY Coffee Shampoo Recipes to Try at Home
An easy ingredient like coffee can boost your natural homemade hair care routine, which will work wonders for your locks. There are many ways to include caffeine in your daily hair care routine. Are you excited to try it out? Get to know the processes below:
1. Basic Coffee Shampoo
This is ideal for getting long, soft, and shiny hair without visiting a salon or spending a dime. All you need is your favorite shampoo and some caffeine to make things work.
Ingredients:
- Coffee powder – (1/2) teaspoon
- Shampoo – 4 to 5 tablespoons
Process:
Pour the shampoo into a small bowl and add coffee powder to it. Please give them a good stir so that they mix well. Next, moisten your hair with water and apply the mixture. Wait for 2-3 minutes. Then, rinse it off properly with lukewarm water.
Read Also – Add Color to Your Hair with Coffee
2. Coffee and Baking Soda Shampoo
If you use hair styling products regularly, then buildups on the scalp are pretty standard. Therefore, cleaning your hair thoroughly and regularly to keep it healthy is essential. This simple coffee shampoo with added baking soda can be of great help. It makes your tresses smooth, soft, and healthy and adds extra shine.
Ingredients:
- Coffee powder – 2 tablespoons
- Baking soda – (1/4) teaspoon
- Shampoo – 2 to 3 tablespoons
Process:
Take the shampoo in a small mixing bowl. Add coffee powder and baking soda to it. Blend all ingredients well. Moisten your hair with water and apply the coffee mixture thoroughly. Leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water, followed by a good conditioner.
3. Dry Shampoo Made with Coffee
In today’s fast-paced world, dry shampoo is considered one of the best choices for women to instantly make their hair look fresh and fragranced. However, instead of buying a commercial dry shampoo, you can easily make a quick DIY version home with coffee.
Ingredients:
- Coffee powder – 1 tablespoon
- Arrowroot powder – 2 tablespoons
Process:
Take the coffee powder in a mixing bowl. Make sure it is finely grounded and has a smooth, velvety texture. Or else, you may want to run it through a grinding machine for a finer variation. If you don’t mind going a bit further, take a handful of coffee beans and grind them freshly. Next, add arrowroot powder to the coffee powder. However, it would be best if you remembered that the quantity of arrowroot must be adjusted based on your hair color. Next, with the help of a foundation brush, apply the dry mixture to your scalp and the hairline. Allow it to sit for a few minutes so that all dirt, dust, excess sebum, etc., get soaked up. Finally, brush your hair well to get the mixture out nicely.
4. Hair Spray with Coffee
To keep your hair healthy, this homemade coffee hair spray can be an excellent substitute for highly-priced serums.
Ingredients:
- Black coffee powder – 2 tablespoon
- Hot water – as required
Process:
Prepare a cup of black coffee and allow it to cool down. Now, pour it into a spray bottle and store it. After shampooing your hair, spray this mixture on your hair roots on your scalp. Next, massage the hair gently with your fingers for a few minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes, then wash off your tresses again.
The quantity of shampoo in each recipe will depend on the length and volume of your hair. You should pick a mild herbal shampoo only to make the most of your favorite DIY coffee shampoo recipe. However, try to limit the amount of coffee powder to 2 to 3 teaspoons only.
Read Also – Guide to Dye Your Hair Naturally with Coffee
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Frequently Should I Use DIY Coffee Shampoo?
As it is a homemade shampoo, you can use it as often as you need throughout the week. But make sure that you use it only once every day. Or else your hair will become dry and damaged.
Can I Wash My Hair with Coffee?
You can use cold, brewed coffee directly on your scalp and hair. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and allow it to soak. Then, rinse it off with lukewarm water and air-dry your hair. This will add a dark hue and an incredible shine to your locks. The cooled ground from a coffee filter can also be applied to the scalp directly. Rub it into your scalp gently using your fingertips to ensure the caffeine penetrates deep into the follicles. Finally, rinse it off with tepid water.
Does Coffee Dye Your Hair?
Yes, using coffee on your hair can make it one or two shades darker instantly. It will also cover your grey hair and give your locks an even look.
How Long Do You Leave Coffee in Your Hair?
While rinsing your hair directly with coffee, saturate it entirely with the liquid and wring out the hair well. Then, let the coffee sit on your hair for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how dark you want your hair color to be.
References:
- “Caffeine“, WebMD.com
- “Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?“, fda.gov
- “8 Ways to Use Coffee of the Skin, Scalp, and Hair“, MedicalNewsToday.com
- “The Effects of Caffeine on Hair,” Livestrong.com
