I Applied Onion Juice to My Hair for 3 Weeks — The Smell Was Worth It

Last updated on: January 28, 2026

If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror, staring at thinning edges or sad-looking hair, wondering “What else can I try?” — trust me, I’ve been there too. My hair was shedding faster than usual, my scalp felt dry, and nothing in my bathroom seemed to help. That’s when I started seeing women online talking about onion juice. Yes… onion juice.

At first, I laughed. I mean, I cook with onions — I don’t put them on my head. But after reading story after story, and watching so many TikToks about the results, my curiosity finally won. So I made a decision: I would try onion juice on my hair for 3 full weeks. And yes… the smell was something else. But the results? Honestly worth it.

Here’s exactly what happened.

Table of Contents

Why Onion Juice? The Viral Hair Trick Everyone’s Talking About

Before I tried anything, I spent a whole night searching why women swear by onion juice. To my surprise, it wasn’t just a random trend. Onion juice has been used for years in different cultures as a remedy for hair fall.

Here’s the simple science:

Onions are rich in sulfur, which helps your body make keratin — the main protein in your hair.
They also have antioxidants that help blood flow to your scalp.
And they are naturally antibacterial, which can help with dandruff and irritation.

There’s even an old study showing people with hair loss saw improvement after using onion juice for a few weeks. That gave me hope.

But every article also said the same thing: “The smell is strong.”
And let me tell you — they weren’t lying.

How I Made My Onion Juice (Without Crying Too Much)

The prep was easy, but still messy. Here’s what I used:

2 medium red onions
A blender
A strainer
1 spoon of aloe vera gel (to calm the scalp)
A few drops of rosemary oil (to fight the smell)

I blended the onions, squeezed out the juice, and mixed everything together. It looked… interesting. But I told myself, beauty over fear.

If you ever try this, please do a quick patch test on your arm first. Onion juice can be too strong for some skin types.

My 3-Week Routine: What Happened Each Week

Week 1 — The “Oh My God, the Smell” Stage

Let me be real: the first day almost made me quit. The moment I applied the juice, the smell hit me so hard my eyes watered — and not from emotions.
I massaged it into my scalp and kept it on for 30 minutes. The tingling sensation was strange but not painful.

After washing it out, my bathroom smelled like I was cooking. My hair didn’t show any big change yet, but it felt a little softer.

By day 4, something surprising happened — my scalp felt cleaner, almost lighter. I wasn’t scratching as much. But the smell… my goodness. My husband walked by and said, “Are you making dinner or doing hair?” Funny, but not helpful.

Week 2 — Getting Used to It

By this week, the routine felt normal. I applied the onion juice three times a week.
The smell didn’t shock me anymore because I added more rosemary oil. That helped a lot.

And then… I saw something that made me smile: tiny baby hairs along my hairline. At first, I thought it was my imagination. But by the end of the week, I knew it was real. My hair also felt softer and less dry.

My shedding reduced a little too. When I brushed my hair, the amount of broken hair in the brush wasn’t as scary as before.

Week 3 — The Real Results Show Up

This was the week that convinced me all the effort was worth it.

I noticed:

Less breakage
A healthier shine
Reduced scalp dryness
More new baby hairs
A stronger, fuller feel at the roots

My hair wasn’t magically waist-length, but I could see visible improvements. And honestly, that felt so good. After struggling with dull hair, even small wins feel big.

The best part? My confidence slowly came back. I felt more in control of my hair again.

What I Loved — And What I Didn’t

The Pros

It’s natural and chemical-free
Really helps with hair strength
Boosts scalp health
Very cheap
Promotes new baby hair growth

The Cons

The smell is not a joke
Takes time to prepare
Needs consistency
Might irritate sensitive scalp
Not great right before a date, event, or stepping outside

You definitely need patience. Onion juice is not a miracle — it’s more like a slow, steady helper.

Who Should Try Onion Juice?

You should consider trying this if:

You’re dealing with hair fall
You want thicker roots
You struggle with dandruff
You prefer natural remedies
You want to grow out your edges

You should skip it if:

You have eczema or psoriasis on your scalp
You’re allergic to onions
You color your hair often (it may alter the smell)
You cannot handle strong scents

Listening to your scalp is important. What works for me or someone else may not be right for you.

Dermatologist Thoughts — Yes, I Looked It Up

Dermatologists say onion juice can help because of its sulfur and antioxidants, but results vary for every person. Most experts agree it’s safe if you’re not allergic. But they also suggest not overusing it and always rinsing properly.

Some alternative options they recommend include:

Rosemary oil
Peptide serums
Over-the-counter minoxidil for women

I like the natural route, but it’s good to have choices.

How I Reduced the Smell (You’ll Want These Tips)

If you ever try this, here are my life-saving tricks:

Mix in rosemary or peppermint oil
Use a gentle shampoo after rinsing
Rinse with apple cider vinegar (smell goes away fast)
Don’t apply it before leaving the house
Tie your hair with a towel while it sits on your head

These tips made the experience much more bearable.

My Final Thoughts — Yes, It Was Worth It

After 3 weeks, I can honestly say I’m glad I tried onion juice. The smell was tough, and the routine took effort, but my hair feels healthier and stronger than before. I see new baby hairs, my scalp feels better, and my confidence has improved.

If you’re a woman who’s tired of spending money on products that don’t work, I get you. Sometimes the old, simple remedies surprise us in the best way. You don’t have to try it forever — but giving it a few weeks may show you results you didn’t expect.

Your hair journey is personal. Do what feels right for you. And if you ever decide to try onion juice, just know you’re not alone… and trust me, the smell gets easier.

But the results? Totally worth it.