If you like experimenting with foods on your hair in order to change the texture or color or to improve the overall state of your hair, then you aren’t alone.
In fact, many people enjoy using food on their hair, such as using bananas, mayonnaise, and honey to moisturize and condition their hair, or using beer to add sheen.
If you’ve heard that using cocoa powder on your hair can be beneficial, then you might wonder how to use it on your hair and what the benefits are.
Cocoa powder can be used on your hair as a natural alternative to chemical-laden hair dye, and the lighter your hair, the better results you will get.
To color your hair with cocoa powder, combine 1/2 cup of cocoa powder with 1/2 cup of plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Thoroughly mix the ingredients together and then apply the mixture to your hair by making small parts and applying the concoction from root to end and rinse out after 3 minutes.
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Should your hair be shampooed and conditioned after rinsing out the cocoa powder?
No, you should not shampoo and condition your hair after rinsing out the cocoa powder because you need more time for the color to set.
If you shampoo and condition your hair too soon afterward, then it will wash out the color prematurely.
While using cocoa powder isn’t equivalent to using actual hair dye, it can be an effective way to darken your hair without potentially harmful and strong chemicals.
How long does dyed hair last with cocoa powder?
The length of time the color will last will depend on several different factors, including how often you wash your hair and if you swim in chlorinated pools often.
Each time you shampoo your hair, you will wash some of the color out of your hair just as with traditional hair dye, so if you want the color to last longer, then you need to wash your hair less often.
Using dry shampoo instead of traditional shampoo will help to extend the length of time in-between cocoa coloring sessions, as well.
Also, if you swim often, then chlorinated water will strip the color out of your hair much sooner.
However, you can opt to wear a swimming cap while spending time in the pool, so you can continue to swim as often as you like, but without the effects of chlorinated water on your hair.
Many professional swimmers wear swimming caps, and you can find an appropriate cap online and in local stores.
Other ways to use cocoa powder on your hair
There are many other benefits of using cocoa powder on your hair, and if you’re not looking to color your hair with it, then you can still take advantage of some of these benefits.
Cocoa powder is a fabulous conditioner, and it can promote hair growth and even revive dry hair.
It’s easy to make a cocoa powder concoction with this yummy food as the primary ingredient, and after washing your hair, you can use the chocolate concoction in lieu of your regular conditioner or, in addition to it, in order to reap its massive benefits.
If your hair is thinning, then cocoa powder can add volume, making your hair appear fuller and thicker.
Also, due to cocoa’s richness in magnesium and calcium, which combat hair loss, your hair won’t only appear thicker over time, it will become thicker as a result of regular use.
How does cocoa powder promote hair growth?
Cocoa has an abundance of vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants that can help promote hair growth.
Cocoa also increases the circulation of blood to the scalp area, which is another reason why it is so effective at helping hair to regrow.
It’s important to know that you must use cocoa on your hair consistently in order to see results, as one application isn’t enough to provide any noticeable hair growth.
Cocoa powder and how it can benefit other parts of your body
Cocoa powder isn’t just good for your hair, it can benefit your face and skin as well. Used in a face mask, cocoa powder can soothe irritated skin, soften rough spots, and revive dull, lifeless skin.
You can find face masks at stores that sell other beauty products, or you can make your own, as there are numerous recipes available online.
If you pay attention to the body lotions that are on the shelves at your local stores, you will notice that many of them contain cocoa butter or cocoa in some form.
This is because not only does cocoa provide deep moisturizing benefits to the skin, but it also contains antioxidants, which can minimize the appearance of aging on the skin.
Are there any alternatives to cocoa powder for naturally conditioning the hair?
There are a number of all-natural alternatives that you can use on your hair if you, for some reason, decide not to use cocoa powder.
Bananas are excellent when used as a conditioner for the hair, as they help dry, parched hair to retain moisture, and the many nutrients in bananas strengthen hair, which minimizes the likelihood of breakage, and more.
Some key nutrients in bananas are potassium, vitamin C, iron, and much more, and these vitamins and minerals work together to condition your hair.
If you have dry hair, then the natural fatty acids in avocados will work wonders at moisturizing dry strands and bringing them back to life.
You could create a concoction of bananas and avocados and add in some honey and lemon juice for added benefits.
You might feel silly using food on your hair, but after you see the benefits of using food as a natural hair conditioner, you will see why doing so is so popular.
How often can cocoa powder be used on hair?
Since cocoa powder is a natural food, there is no limit to how often you can use it on your hair. If you wanted to use it daily, then you would not notice any damage to your hair as a result.
In fact, the more often you use cocoa powder on your hair, the sooner you will start reaping the benefits of this delicious “conditioner.”
However, if you’re going to be using a cocoa mask, then it’s not necessary to use it more often than once a week, as hair masks provide deep, intensive benefits.
Are there hair products on the market that contain cocoa powder?
There are numerous hair products currently on the market that contain cocoa as its main ingredient, but many of these products are expensive, so making your own conditioner or hair mask at home is recommended if you’re on a budget.
It’s not difficult to make your own mask, and it can actually be kind of fun.
You can find numerous cocoa powder hair conditioner and mask recipes online, and you can also watch videos, which might be even more helpful for you.
Can cocoa powder be added to commercial conditioners for extra benefits?
Cocoa powder can definitely be added to any store-bought hair conditioner to enhance the benefits of the product.
Just be sure that you thoroughly mix in the powder so that it will be evenly distributed when added to your hair.
You can place the conditioner and cocoa powder in a bowl and use a mixer, and you could use a blender instead.
You might have no idea how much cocoa powder to add to your conditioner, but according to research, using anywhere from 1 to 3 tablespoons should be sufficient.
Once you’ve mixed in the cocoa powder and you’re sure it’s been thoroughly incorporated into the conditioner or mask, you can then use the concoction as you normally would.
How should leftover homemade cocoa powder conditioner be stored?
Since your cocoa powder conditioner is made from food, if you have some extra, then you need to store it in the refrigerator for the best results.
The cocoa powder itself would be fine without being refrigerated, but the other ingredients that you may have added, like bananas, avocados, etc., can quickly perish, and you don’t want to use ingredients on your hair that have spoiled.
So, simply place the remainder of the homemade conditioner in a container with a lid and store it in the refrigerator.
There aren’t many people that don’t enjoy eating a nice piece of chocolate cake, slurping up a thick chocolate milkshake, or even enjoying a chocolate bar.
Not many people are aware that this delectable food can be used to darken light-colored hair, or even condition their hair.
So, if you would like to experiment with cocoa powder by using it on your hair for one or more purposes, then follow the simple recipes above, or peruse the internet for your own, and hopefully, you will get the results that you desire.
