7-Day Onion Oil Hair Growth Challenge

Overview: Onion oil is rich in sulfur, vitamins, and antioxidants that can stimulate scalp circulation and strengthen hair follicles. In this 7-day plan you’ll use onion oil (often diluted with carrier oils) each day in a structured routine. Follow the steps carefully, including scalp massage and gentle hair care, to support growth while minimizing breakage. Expect only subtle changes in one week – studies suggest new hair growth often appears after 2+ weeks – but your hair and scalp should feel healthier.

Day 1: Patch Test & First Application

 Figure: Purple onions and a bowl of onion-infused oil. Onion oil has been studied for hair regrowth (it can boost scalp circulation and collagen).

1. Patch test first. Apply a drop of onion oil (or onion-infused carrier oil) behind your ear or on your wrist. Wait 30–60 minutes. If you see redness, burning or swelling, rinse off and skip this treatment. This avoids allergic reactions or irritation.

2. Prep the oil. Warm a tablespoon of onion oil (or homemade onion oil: heat grated onion in coconut/olive oil, then strain). Mixing in 1–2 tsp of coconut or castor oil can dilute the scent and nourish hair. For example, combine 1 tbsp onion oil + 1 tbsp coconut oil.

3. Apply and massage. Part your hair in sections and apply the oil blend directly to your scalp and along your hair. Use fingertips to massage in small circles for 4–5 minutes to boost circulation (research shows daily scalp massage can increase hair thickness over time). Cover the entire scalp evenly.

4. Leave it on. Put on a shower cap or wrap your hair. Leave the oil on about 30–60 minutes. (If you’re very experienced with onion oil, you could leave it overnight once proven safe, but beginners should start with shorter times.)

5. Wash out gently. Rinse hair with a mild (sulfate-free) shampoo. You may need to shampoo twice to fully remove oil and odor. Follow with a conditioner to keep strands hydrated. Don’t rub hair hard – gently work the shampoo through your scalp and let water rinse from roots to ends.

Tip: After washing, pat hair dry with a soft towel and use a wide-tooth comb to detangle. Avoid heat styling today. Sleep on a satin pillowcase if possible to reduce friction.

Day 2: Coconut Oil Conditioning

 Figure: A jar of virgin coconut oil, a common hair treatment. Coconut oil helps protect hair protein and prevent breakage.

Why: Coconut oil penetrates hair shafts and reduces protein loss, helping prevent breakage. Use Day 2 to hydrate and protect your strands.

1. Warm coconut oil. If solid, gently warm 1–2 tablespoons of coconut oil until liquid (e.g. in a bowl over hot water). This makes it easier to spread.

2. Apply to hair. Starting from mid-length to ends (and lightly on scalp if dry), work the coconut oil through your hair. You can also add a bit of leftover onion oil (from Day 1) into the mixture for extra benefits.

3. Scalp massage. Spend 3–4 minutes massaging your scalp with fingertips as the oil absorbs. Focus on distributing the oil evenly.

4. Leave a mask. Cover hair with a cap or towel and leave the coconut oil in for 30–60 minutes (or overnight if you washed out Day 1 quickly).

5. Wash and condition. Rinse thoroughly with shampoo to remove the coconut oil, then condition your ends as usual.

Tip: Coconut-treated hair resists breakage better. After washing, gently blot hair dry. If hair feels too heavy after rinsing, use less oil next time. Remember to detangle with a wide comb and skip heat tools today.

Day 3: Onion + Castor Oil Massage

Why: Castor oil is thick and rich in ricinoleic acid, which may boost scalp blood flow. Combining it with onion oil can further strengthen and thicken hair.

1. Mix oils. Combine ~1 tablespoon onion oil with 1 tablespoon castor oil. (Because castor is very viscous, you can add 1 tsp of coconut or olive oil to loosen the mixture.)

2. Warm mixture. Briefly heat the oil blend (again, a warm-water bath is safer than microwave).

3. Apply to scalp. Using an applicator or fingertips, part hair and apply the oil blend to the scalp and hair roots. Massage in small circles for ~5 minutes. This mechanical massage helps stimulate follicles and the ricinoleic acid in castor may further improve circulation.

4. Cover and wait. Put on a shower cap. Leave the oil on for 1 hour (or overnight if your scalp tolerated Day 1 well).

5. Shampoo and condition. Wash out thoroughly with a gentle shampoo. You may need two washes. Follow with conditioner on the lengths. Rinse well to remove all oil.

Tip: Castor oil can be very drying if overused. Don’t leave this mask on more than a few hours. After rinsing, comb gently and avoid tying hair tightly. Keep hair loose tonight to minimize breakage.

Day 4: Hair Wash & Protective Care

Why: Give your scalp and hair a little break midweek to prevent buildup and over-conditioning. Focus on gentle care today.

Cleanse well. Shampoo and deep-condition your hair to remove any residual oils. Use lukewarm water and a nourishing conditioner on ends.

Gentle scalp massage. After shampooing, use fingertips (no products) to massage scalp for 2–3 minutes. This increases blood flow without adding more oil.

Avoid stress: Skip any heat styling (blow-dry on cool, flat-iron off). Let hair air-dry if possible.

Detangle carefully. Use a wide-tooth comb while conditioning to gently remove tangles. Avoid harsh brushing, especially when hair is wet.

Protect at night. Tie hair in a loose braid or bun and sleep on satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction.

Tip: If your scalp feels itchy or oily by evening, you can rinse again with a gentle shampoo. Keep your hair care routine light today so the scalp can “rest.”

Day 5: Onion Oil + Aloe/Honey Mask

Why: Aloe vera or honey can soothe the scalp and balance the strong sulfur in onion oil. Today’s mask combines onion oil with a gentle hydrator.

1. Prepare mask. In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp onion oil with 2 tbsp pure aloe vera gel (or raw honey). Add a drop of lavender essential oil if desired (for scent and calm).

2. Warm and apply. Warm this mixture slightly and apply it to the scalp and through your hair. Massage for 3–4 minutes to distribute.

3. Cover and wait. Wrap hair in a shower cap. Let the mask sit for 30–60 minutes. Aloe and honey will moisturize while onion works on follicles.

4. Rinse out. Wash with gentle shampoo and condition. Ensure all sticky honey is rinsed away.

Tip: Aloe vera can reduce any burning sensation from onion’s acids. If you experience stinging or rash, rinse immediately. After washing, apply a leave-in conditioner on ends to keep strands soft.

Day 6: Nourishing Care & Restyle

Why: Focus on maintenance: reinforce moisture and protect the gains you’ve made. No heavy onion oil application today.

Light cleansing (optional). If hair feels heavy, do a final rinse with shampoo and condition. Otherwise, skip washing to retain moisture.

Deep conditioning. Apply a hydrating hair mask or extra conditioner on the lengths and leave 15–20 min, then rinse.

Final scalp massage. Gently massage bare or lightly oiled scalp for 3–4 minutes (you can use just 1 tsp coconut or jojoba oil if dry). This keeps circulation going without a full treatment.

Protective styling. Put hair up in a loose braid or bun for the day/night. Avoid hair ties that pull tightly.

Diet and hydration. Drink plenty of water and eat protein-rich foods today to support hair growth from within.

Tip: Continue to avoid heat and tight hairstyles. If you blow-dry, use the cool setting. Moisturize ends nightly with a small amount of leave-in conditioner or a drop of oil to prevent split ends.

Day 7: Final Onion Oil Treatment & Results

Why: End the week with one more onion oil application and evaluate your progress.

1. Mix final oil. If desired, mix 1 tbsp onion oil with 1 tsp olive oil or almond oil (for a lighter feel).

2. Apply and massage. Apply to clean scalp; massage for 4–5 minutes as before.

3. Leave overnight. Cover hair and let the oil sit overnight (or at least 1–2 hours before your final wash).

4. Wash thoroughly. Next morning, shampoo and condition well to remove all oil. Use cool water rinse to seal cuticles. Gently towel-dry or air-dry.

5. Style carefully. Style loosely today. A soft braid or ponytail is fine. Brush gently.

Tip: Take a “before” and “after” photo to compare. Look for reduced frizz, less shedding, or slightly thicker feel – not dramatic length gains yet.

After 1 week: Remember, hair typically grows only ~0.3–0.5 mm per day. One week of treatment is usually too short to see new strands. In clinical trials, onion (juice) showed hair regrowth starting around week 2. So expect subtle signs: your hair may feel smoother or you may notice fewer hairs in your brush. Any scalp itchiness or irritation should have eased by now – if not, discontinue use. With continued care beyond 7 days, onion oil could help improve fullness and strength over time.

Safety Precautions: Always do a patch test. Onion oil is potent – if you feel excessive burning, redness, or rash, wash it off immediately. Avoid getting oil in your eyes. If you have eczema, psoriasis, or extremely sensitive skin, consult a dermatologist before use. Pregnant or nursing women should also seek medical advice. Otherwise, enjoy the natural boost – many users report less breakage and shinier hair with consistent onion oil routines.

References: This plan is informed by hair care research and expert guides. Studies show onion (Allium cepa) can stimulate hair follicles (hair regrowth began ~2 weeks in one trial), and that scalp massage may thicken hair over time. Coconut and castor oils are traditional remedies to protect and nourish hair. All advice (application times, precautions, hair care tips) comes from dermatology reviews and hair-care sources.