Rinsing hair with a cup of tea is a thing again. It takes ‘spilling the tea’ to a very literal level, doesn’t it? I dug into the Internet to find out whether this DIY could bring me one step closer to remotely liking my hair. I even turned to Dr. Sravya C. Tipirneni, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist & Trichologist at Manipal Hospitals in Bangalore, to tell me more about tea rinses for hair.
So here I am spilling the tea, on tea.
What Is A Tea Rinse?
You know how different types of tea address different health concerns? In the same way, each tea has a hair-care concern it can treat too. It’s as simple as picking the right one for your hair. It’s natural, economical, and pretty effective.
Before I tell you how I go about using it, here’s what four popular types of tea can do for your hair.
Which Tea Addresses What Hair Care Concerns?
Green Tea
Dr. Sravya tells me that green tea is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This allows it to reverse damage caused by the sun, pollution, and other such environmental factors.
If you have infections and inflammation in the scalp, you might benefit from this tea too. It contains caffeine which can stimulate hair growth.
Black Tea
Like green tea, black tea is a rich source of antioxidants too. Both teas have similar benefits for the hair. Since my hair looks dull these days, I’ll be using black tea to enhance its shine.
Chamomile Tea
On occasion, I drink a cup of chamomile-spiked tea for a good night’s sleep. It’s truly soothing. But I didn’t realise it could soothe and calm the scalp too. For those with sensitivity, itching, and irritation in the scalp, this tea can do wonders. And if your hair colour is light (blonde, for example), this tea can bring out the colour even more.
Peppermint Tea
Dr. Sravya explains that peppermint tea rejuvenates and stimulates the scalp and enhances hair growth. It can control oil production too and is perfect for those who struggle with dandruff and an oil-prone scalp.
How To Do A Tea Rinse?
- Brew the tea. I usually use 2 to 3 tea bags or tablespoons of leaves.
- After it boils, turn off the heat and let it cool.
- Wet the hair thoroughly. You can shampoo and condition too, but wash all the products off well.
- Once the tea has cooled, pour it over the hair and massage your scalp for a couple of minutes.
- Wrap a shower cap or microfiber towel around your head to retain the heat.
- After 10 to 15 minutes, rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water.
How Often Should Tea Rinses Be Done?
According to Dr. Sravya, it depends on your hair-care concern. For enhancing growth and colour, she recommends it be done twice a week. For reversing damage and controlling oil, once a week is fine. But observe how your hair reacts to it and adjust the frequency accordingly.
So, yes, I might, literally, spill the tea on my scalp. Doesn’t sound as bizarre now, does it?
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