You’ve probably seen the TikToks or heard your grandmother mention it once. Someone standing in a shower, crackling open a cold can of lager, and dumping the whole thing over their head. It looks like a waste of a good beverage, honestly. But the question of whether is beer good for your hair isn't just some weird DIY internet trend that popped up overnight. It’s actually a practice rooted in the chemical makeup of the ingredients used to brew your favorite IPA or pilsner.
Beer is basically a cocktail of silica, phosphorus, magnesium, and B vitamins.
Does that mean you should ditch your $40 salon conditioner for a six-pack of Budweiser? Not necessarily. There’s a lot of nuance here. While the proteins in malt and hops can technically bind to hair cuticles to create a temporary thickening effect, the alcohol content in your brew can actually do more harm than good if you aren't careful. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword.
The Science of Suds: What’s Actually Inside?
When we look at the raw ingredients of beer—barley, hops, yeast, and water—we find things that hair follicles generally love. Barley and hops are loaded with proteins. During the brewing process, these proteins are released. When you apply beer to your hair, these proteins (specifically wheat and rice proteins often found in various brews) can fill in the gaps of a damaged hair cuticle. It’s a similar mechanism to how high-end protein treatments work, just much less refined.
Then there’s the B-vitamin factor.
Biotin is the big name in hair growth, and while beer isn't exactly a supplement-grade source, the brewer’s yeast does contain B-complex vitamins that can help nourish the scalp. Furthermore, the sucrose and maltose sugars in the beer can tighten the hair cuticles, leading to a noticeable shine once the hair dries. You’ve likely noticed that "sticky" feeling if you've ever spilled a drink; on a microscopic level, that stickiness is those sugars coating the hair shaft and reflecting light.
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However, we have to talk about the ethanol. Alcohol is a desiccant. It dries things out. If you have naturally curly or already brittle hair, the alcohol in a standard beer can strip away the natural oils (sebum) that keep your hair from snapping off like a dry twig. This is why most "pro-beer" stylists suggest a very specific preparation method rather than just pouring it straight from the fridge.
Why Beer Still Matters for Volume and Shine
For people with fine, limp hair, beer is kind of a revelation. The biggest benefit isn't necessarily "growth"—science is still a bit shaky on whether topical beer can actually speed up the rate at which your hair grows from the follicle—but it definitely helps with volume.
Because the proteins coat the hair, each individual strand becomes slightly thicker. It’s a physical change, not a biological one. If you have hair that usually lays flat against your head by noon, a beer rinse can provide enough "grit" and structure to keep it lifted. It acts almost like a natural sea salt spray but with more nutritional upside.
Many users report that their hair feels "squeaky clean" after a rinse. This is likely due to the acidity. Most beers have a pH level between 4.1 and 4.6. Our hair and scalp also lean slightly acidic. Using a beer rinse can help rebalance the pH of your scalp if you’ve been using heavy, alkaline shampoos that leave your hair looking dull and lifeless.
The Downside: Smelling Like a Dive Bar
Let’s be real for a second. You are putting fermented grain juice on your head.
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The smell is the biggest hurdle. Even after rinsing with water, that yeasty, hoppy aroma can linger, especially when your hair gets damp from sweat or rain later in the day. It’s not exactly the "fresh out of the salon" scent most people are going for. To counter this, many DIY enthusiasts mix the beer with essential oils like peppermint or sandalwood, but even then, the base note is definitely "stale pub."
There is also the risk of buildup. If you do this too often, those same proteins and sugars that make your hair look thick will start to layer on top of each other. This leads to "protein overload," a condition where the hair becomes too stiff and eventually breaks. It’s all about moderation. Think of it as a once-a-month clarifying and volumizing treatment, not a daily routine.
How to Actually Do a Beer Rinse (The Right Way)
If you’re going to try this, don't just grab a room-temperature can and hop in the shower. There are steps to making this effective.
- De-fizz the beer. This is the most important part. Carbon dioxide (the bubbles) can react with the minerals in your water and make the hair feel harsh or "crunchy." Open the beer at least 6 to 12 hours before you plan to use it. Let it go completely flat.
- Wash your hair first. You want a clean canvas. Use your regular shampoo to get rid of dirt and excess oil so the beer proteins can actually reach the hair shaft.
- The Application. Pour the flat, room-temperature beer over your hair. Massage it into the scalp. Let it sit for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- The Rinse. Use cool water. This helps seal the cuticle and trap those proteins and sugars.
- Condition the ends. You might still need a tiny bit of conditioner on the very tips of your hair to ensure the alcohol hasn't over-dried them.
Honestly, if you're worried about the DIY mess, several brands have started doing the work for you. Companies like BRÖÖ or Duffy’s Brew have created shampoos and conditioners that use "activated" craft beer as a primary ingredient. These products give you the protein benefits without the booze smell or the risk of drying out your scalp with raw ethanol.
Expert Perspectives: What Do the Dermatologists Say?
Dermatologists are usually cautious but not entirely dismissive. Dr. Francesca Fusco, a world-renowned medical and cosmetic dermatologist, has noted in several interviews that while the proteins in beer can temporarily "swell" the hair shaft and make it look thicker, it isn't a cure for hair loss.
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If you are dealing with male or female pattern baldness, beer isn't going to bring those follicles back to life. That’s a hormonal and genetic issue that requires things like Minoxidil or Finasteride. But for surface-level texture? Doctors generally agree it’s a harmless, albeit messy, experiment for most people.
The only group that should strictly avoid this is anyone with a yeast sensitivity or a flaky scalp condition like seborrheic dermatitis. Introducing more yeast-related products to a fungal scalp issue is like throwing gasoline on a fire. If your scalp is itchy or red, stick to medicated shampoos.
Final Verdict on the Boozy Beauty Hack
So, is beer good for your hair? In the sense that it provides a cheap, protein-rich boost for volume and shine, yes. It’s a fantastic "event day" hack if you want your hair to have some extra "oomph" and grip for an updo or a high-volume style.
But it’s not a miracle liquid.
It’s a temporary fix that works through basic chemistry—coating the hair and balancing pH. If you have the patience to let a can of Guinness sit out on your counter overnight and you don't mind the smell of a brewery following you around, it’s a fun, effective DIY treatment.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your hair porosity: If you have high-porosity hair (hair that absorbs water quickly), a beer rinse will be more effective as the proteins can easily enter the hair shaft.
- Start with a "Session" beer: Avoid heavy stouts or high-alcohol IPAs for your first try. A simple, flat lager is less likely to leave a heavy residue or over-dry your hair.
- The "One-Month" Rule: Limit this treatment to once every four weeks. Over-processing with protein—even "natural" protein from beer—can lead to breakage.
- Patch Test: If you have sensitive skin, rub a little bit of the flat beer on your inner elbow 24 hours before your shower to ensure you don't have a reaction to the hops or yeast.
By focusing on the structural benefits of the proteins and managing the drying effects of the alcohol, you can use a beer rinse to get some of the best natural volume of your life. Just keep the drinking and the rinsing separate for the best results.