Menu
In the hair care industry, it is said that you can use Irish sea moss for hair growth. Unfortunately, there is little evidence to support this claim. However, there are other ways you can use Irish sea moss to promote hair health. You may have even noticed this edible red seaweed in some cosmetic products. In this article, we explain how to use Irish sea moss to benefit your hair and make the most of its potential hair care benefits. Read on to learn more.
Irish sea moss, or Chondrus crispus, is an edible red seaweed found primarily in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its cell walls contain carrageenan, an additive used in the food industry as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer (1).
Seaweed extract is commonly used in skin and hair care products due to its nourishing and moisturizing properties. However, Irish sea moss is also said to promote hair growth. Although there is no evidence to support this claim, Irish sea moss may promote scalp health, thereby improving the overall health of your hair. Let’s find out how.
Irish sea moss has several benefits that may impact the health of your scalp (2):
Animal studies have found that carrageenan can minimize the skin’s inflammatory process, improve the deposition of the extracellular matrix (a 3D network of collagen and other macromolecules), and promote wound healing (3). This property may also help keep your scalp healthy and maintain the health of your hair.
Irish sea moss contains mycosporin-like amino acids (MAAs), which protect marine organisms from UV radiation. MAAs are used in cosmetic products to protect the skin from UV rays and promote cell proliferation (2). In hair care products, these ingredients can help protect your scalp and hair from UV damage.
Moisture is crucial for the overall health of the scalp and hair. Dry hair can be brittle and prone to breakage. Red algae (Chondrus) can nourish and hydrate the skin when applied topically and improve cell elasticity (2).
An animal study found that a hair tonic made from seaweed extract can promote hair growth (4). However, the study did not disclose the type of seaweed used for the experiment.
According to a study that analyzed a survey conducted by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation that included 1,327 participants diagnosed with alopecia areata, the average age of the participants was 39.7 years old and 58.4% of them were female. Participants reported varying degrees of severity of their current scalp hair loss: 2.6% reported no hair loss, 39.8% reported between 1% and 20% hair loss, 26.2% reported between 21% and 49% hair loss, 10.2% reported between 50% and 94% hair loss, and 21.3% reported between 95% and 100% hair loss. So, these patients could benefit from the seaweed tonic as it can improve their hair growth.
Fucoidan is a compound found in all seaweed, including Irish sea moss. This compound can eliminate harmful free radicals, reduce inflammation, improve hair health, and add shine to your locks (2). Oxidative stress (caused by free radicals) can affect scalp health and cause hair loss. Fucoidan can help reduce hair loss.
Melanie Thompson, a beauty and lifestyle content creator, used Irish Sea Moss and saw tremendous results. She said, “My hair feels incredibly moisturized. It’s a little shiny, but not frizzy (i).”
While Irish Sea Moss does not directly promote hair growth, it can support and influence scalp-related factors to promote the health and regrowth of your hair. It is a common ingredient in many hair care products and is widely available in gel form. Here is how you can use Irish Sea Moss Gel for your hair.
How to Use Irish Sea Moss
Detangle your locks using a wide-toothed comb.
Part your hair into several sections and pin them in place.
Apply a generous amount of the Irish Sea Moss Hair Gel to the sections. Cover each strand evenly from root to tip.
Apply the gel to the scalp.
Leave for 30 minutes to an hour.
Rinse the gel out and follow your normal hair washing routine.
Shampoo and condition your hair. Rinse thoroughly.
Wring out the excess water and divide your hair into sections.
Apply a dab of the gel to the damp hair section and scalp.
Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and rinse with normal water.
Note: For best results, use the gel as a deep conditioner at least once a week.
Shampoo and condition your hair.
Wring out excess water and detangle with a wide-toothed comb.
Work the Irish sea moss gel into your hair from mid-length to ends, avoiding the scalp.
Blow-dry and style your hair as desired.
Instead of buying Irish sea moss gel, you can easily make it at home. DIY recipes contain no preservatives and are less harmful. Check out the recipe below.
Ingredients
1 cup dried sea moss
2 teaspoons avocado oil
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cups water
The recipe is in two parts. First you need to prepare the seaweed gel and then the hair gel.
Method
To prepare seaweed gel
Soak the dried sea moss in water. Leave it overnight.
The next morning, drain the water and keep the soaked sea moss aside.
Boil the seaweed in a cup of water. Keep stirring until the consistency becomes creamy.
Mix the creamy seaweed with half a cup of water for a minute. Add another half a cup of water and mix again.
Put the seaweed gel in a glass jar and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
For the seaweed hair gel
Scoop out 2-3 tablespoons of the seaweed gel and boil it with half a cup of water for 2-3 minutes.
Transfer the melted gel to a container and add the oils. Mix well.
You can add a few drops of essential oils for fragrance, but this is optional.
Store the sea moss gel in the refrigerator and use it to style your hair.
Always buy wild-harvested and organically grown sea moss to prepare the gel. You can store the gel for 4 weeks.
Irish sea moss is a popular hair loss prevention ingredient that is said to affect the health of your scalp, promote hair growth, and support the overall health of your hair in the process. Due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties, it is a common ingredient in numerous hair care products. Check out the infographic below to learn more about its benefits for hair.