Black tea rinses have been used for centuries to stimulate hair growth and blend away grey hair. In this post you will learn how to use black tea for hair health and growth.
Black tea has a high caffeine content and, when applied directly to the scalp, is believed to be able to reach the hair follicles and block a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is linked to hair loss in people with androgenic alopecia as it has been shown to shrink hair follicles causing the hair to fall out.
Regularly spraying the hair and scalp with black tea can not only increase hair growth but since tea is darkly pigmented it can also darken the hair and blend away greys. In this post you will discover how to use tea rinses to get strong, healthy hair.
This post is all about how to use black tea for hair
Black Tea for Hair
8 Benefits of Black Tea for Hair Health
1. Black Tea Darkens the Hair
Since tea is so densely pigmented it can act as a natural hair dye and make the hair appear darker. If you want to use your tea rinse for this purpose try adding some dried sage to the mixture to enhance the darkening effect.
2. Black Tea Blends Away Grey Hair
If you have grey hair, black tea can be a used as a natural hair dye. This works better on black hair or darker brunettes and less well on lighter hair colours such as blonde, red, white, or light brown.
3. Promotes Hair Growth
Applying black tea to the scalp could be a natural way to promote hair growth. One study suggested that topical application of caffeine may increase hair growth by increasing keratin production and keeping the hair in the growth phase for longer. Since tea is high in caffeine this may be why it is believed to promote growth.
4. Reduces Hair Shedding
If you are worried about excess shedding, tea may reduce hall fall by blocking the hormone DHT which is responsible for shrinking hair follicles and causing hair to fall out.
5. Makes Hair Shiny and Glossy
The tannins and caffeine in black tea boost hair shine and leave each hair strand smooth, silky and glossy.
6. Improves Blood Flow in the Scalp
The caffeine in black tea increases circulation and blood flow in the scalp meaning the hair follicles are properly nourished. This encourages healthy hair growth and won’t irritate or inflame the skin.
7. Protects the Hair from Environmental Damage
Black tea contains tannins, which are powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants neutralise the free radicals that come from UV rays or pollution. Free radicals cause the hair to age faster and become brittle and damaged. This means regularly using a black tea rinse can protect the hair from the damaging effects of the environment.
8. Helps to Combat Dandruff
Black tea extract contains catechins and theaflavins which have been shown to possess antifungal properties. This means when applied to the scalp it can help to combat dandruff and itchy scalp conditions.
Who Should Use a Black Tea Hair Rinse?
A black tea hair rinse would be beneficial for you if you want to encourage hair growth and minimise grey hair. Although it doesn’t have any side effects if you already have dry hair you should be careful about using black tea too often on the hair as caffeine can dry the hair shaft even more.
If you have low porosity hair you may find that black tea is especially drying for your hair, so you should always make sure to use a deep conditioner afterwards. If you don’t know the porosity level of your hair you can take my hair porosity quiz to find out.
How to Make a Black Tea Rinse
To make your black tea rinse you can just use regular black tea bags from the supermarket. There is cheap tea available on Amazon which has no artificial colours or flavours. I use PG Tips which is really affordable and available to order online.
You want to make the tea very strong to ensure it has a high caffeine content. Aim to use three tea bags per cup of water. I normally add three cups of water to the saucepan along with nine tea bags. Remove any paper and strings from the tea bags before adding it to the water. I use normal water from the tap.
To make the brew really strong, wait until the water is bubbling and then leave the tea bags in the boiling water for at least ten minutes. The water will become a very dark, rich colour.
After ten minutes you can take the saucepan off the stove and leave it to cool for about twenty minutes. Once the tea is at room temperature pour it into a spray bottle using a filter.
How to Use a Black Tea Rinse
Firstly wash your hair thoroughly. Once your hair is clean you can start spraying the black tea onto your damp hair and scalp. The best way to do this is by separating the hair into sections to ensure even coverage. Make sure you spray a liberal amount onto the scalp and massage in.
Once your hair and scalp is covered in the tea rinse, place your hair into a plastic cap and leave for an hour. For good results rinse with cool water as this seals the hair cuticles and enhances shine. Finish off by using a deep conditioner since caffeine can be quite drying for the hair.
Other Types of Tea and Their Benefits for Hair
You can also make tea rinses using other types of teas, which target different hair issues. Any tea containing caffeine will help with hair growth and reduce shedding.
Green Tea
Green tea contains more antioxidants and nutrients than black tea and may be better for nourishing the hair follicles and encouraging healthy growth. If you are worried about excessive hair fall then black tea would be better than green tea since green tea has less caffeine.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos creates a red tea that can help to enhance colour in red or medium brown hair. It has many of the same benefits to the hair as black tea apart from rooibos is caffeine free and won’t help prevent hair loss in the same way black tea does. Rooibos has many health benefits however and contains minerals like zinc, calcium, copper, and potassium that not only promote hair growth but also strengthen the roots.
Rosemary Leaves
Rosemary has been used for centuries both to stimulate hair growth and delay greying. A rosemary tea rinse will also help to keep the scalp healthy. If your main aim is to encourage growth you could make a cup of tea using rosemary leaves and then mix it with a cup of black tea. This will increase the amount of tannic acid in the tea rinse which prevents dark hair from fading.
Oregano Leaves
Oregano has antibacterial and antifungal properties that fight dandruff and skin infections. If you have an itchy, flaky scalp you could try adding oregano leaves to your tea rinse. Oregano is free from caffeine so if you want to also use the rinse to stop hair loss, then mix it with a cup of cold black tea.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea can be used as a natural way to lighten the hair. If you have blonde hair, a chamomile tea rinse can be used to accentuate your hair’s natural highlights. You can make it using the same recipe as for the black tea rinse but just use chamomile tea bags. For an additional lightening effect you can also add a cup of lemon juice.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea can be used to help fight dandruff and itchy scalp. An oolong tea rinse may also enhance the condition and shine of the hair. Since oolong tea has a yellow, or very dark amber or red color, it can be used to enhance the colour of red or light brown hair.
Adding Essential Oils to Your Hair Rinse
Once you have chosen the type of tea you want to use for your hair rinse, you can add a few drops of essential oil to improve the overall health of the hair and scalp. My favourite natural remedies for the hair include lavender essential oil, spearmint essential oil and tea tree.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is known to help promote hair growth and blend away gray hair. Ensure you make a strong black tea so the natural pigments create a rich dark black colour. Once the tea is cool add 3-6 drops of lavender essential oil to the water and shake well to blend. You can read more about using lavender essential oil in homemade hair products in the following post: How to make lavender shampoo
Spearmint Essential Oil
Spearmint essential oil has multiple hair benefits but is especially good for hair growth. Adding 3-6 drops of spearmint oil to your black tea recipes can help to reduce shedding as well as soothe dandruff and minimise grey strands. You can read more about the benefits of spearmint oil for hair in the following post: The Surprising Benefits of Spearmint Oil for Hair Growth and Health
Tea Tree Oil
If you have dandruff or recurrent scalp infections, adding 3-6 drops of tea tree oil to your hair rinse will help to soothe and calm the scalp as well as reduce any itching. Tea tree also helps to reduce excess oil on the scalp and make the hair less greasy.
Related: How to Make a Burdock Root Hair Rinse
This post was all about how to use black tea for hair
Thank you for reading my post about black tea for hair. If you have made a black tea rinse or used any of the natural remedies I’ve suggested then please leave me a comment below and let me know how you got on. Tea rinses are a great way to improve the health of your hair and enhance your natural hair color.
Anne Klein
Monday 17th of May 2021
Thank you so much! This is fascinating. I can't wait to try this.