Unless you’ve been living under a rock, one of the more popular fads in the hair care world has been a tea rinse. For the uninitiated, a tea rinse involves brewing a cup of hot tea, allowing it to cool, and then applying it to a freshly shampooed hair and scalp, either as a direct rinse or via a spray bottle. Once thoroughly saturated, a shower cap is applied, and the tea is allowed to sit and work its magic for roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Once complete, the tea is rinsed and followed with a conditioner.
If you find the idea of pouring a cup of tea onto your head a little bizarre, read our guide below and explore some of the many amazing benefits behind this trendy practice!
Boost Hair Growth
Many types of teas are filled with potent compounds that which could potentially help lessen hair loss and promote hair growth. For instance, the caffeine in a variety of teas can potentially stimulate the blood flow of the scalp to help enhance an underactive hair follicle. Black tea has been touted as an excellent choice for limiting hair loss, as many believe several components of the tea are able to block the effects of DHT, which is a hormone linked to hair loss and shedding. Additionally, several teas contain omega fatty acids, which help boost the overall health and function of the hair follicle.
Heal and Soothe Scalp
Just as a warm cup of tea can help calm and relax you at the end of a long day, so too can a tea rinse help to soothe and relax an irritated scalp. Chamomile tea, for instance, contains a plethora of bioactive compounds, including bisabolol, chamazulene, apigenin, and quercetin, that have been clinically demonstrated to possess potent anti-inflammatory effects. Another excellent option is green tea, which contains powerful polyphenols such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that are renowned for their healing and soothing properties. However, those with excessive scalp dryness or irritation need to be mindful to avoid teas with high caffeine content such as black tea, as caffeine has been known to induce dryness and further exacerbate scalp conditions.
Enhance Hair Color
Aside from the benefits to your hair and scalp health, tea rinses can also be an effective way of amplifying your current hair color! Many varieties of tea contain compounds that lend them their characteristic colors, and these same compounds can impart a similar color to our hair, as well. With that in mind, it’s important to pick the right tea to match your current hair color and desired effect. Dark hair types should opt for black tea, which will help to darken your current hair color. Redheads or red-toned hair should look to red-colored teas like rooibos and hibiscus, while blondes can help to lighten their hair tone with chamomile tea.