Hair mask with mustard: rules for safe use and 25 best recipes

If the dream of growing a long and thick braid seems unattainable and no expensive serum can solve this problem, a mustard hair mask will help. Easy to prepare, does not require financial costs, comes in numerous variations, is as effective as possible, it is considered the best if the regrowth process has slowed down for some reason.

However, this barrel of honey has its own fly in the ointment: its use requires special care, since mustard is an extremely pungent and burning product that irritates the scalp and can cause harm if handled improperly.

Action

The positive properties of a hair mask with mustard can be listed endlessly:

irritating the scalp, activates blood circulation;
saturates with vitamins, improves root nutrition;
strengthens the bulbs;
activates hair growth;
prevents and stops their loss;
adds shine and volume;
makes them soft, thicker, more manageable;
normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, reducing the effect of excess fat;
improves the condition of oily hair also due to the active absorption of sebum and dirt;
eliminates dandruff (if used correctly);
moisturizes.

Nutrition of the follicles occurs not only due to accelerated blood circulation, but also due to the chemical composition of the main active substance. A classic mustard mask without additional ingredients contains:

protein substances;
vitamins A, group B, C, E, D, K (you can read about the benefits of vitamins, as well as their effectiveness in combating hair loss);
glycosides;
minerals: zinc, iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, etc.;
fatty acid;
amino acids: glutamic and aspartic, lysine, glycine, tryptophan, etc.;
slime;
essential oils.

With regular use, mustard masks transform hair not only internally, but also externally, thanks to its complex effect on it.

Results. The average hair growth rate for a healthy person is 1 cm per month. The mustard mask increases this value exactly 2 times. Someone achieves an increase of 3 cm - everything here is individual.

Indications and contraindications

Indications

The mustard mask is indicated primarily for oily hair, as it normalizes the functioning of the basal sebaceous glands and controls their production of sebaceous secretions. It is known for its drying properties. In addition, it is recommended to use it for:

slow hair growth;
their loss (how we can deal with this disease);
dullness;
rigidity;
insufficient volume;
weakened follicles;
dandruff.

Keep in mind. Mustard will eliminate oily hair only if it is caused by improper functioning of the sebaceous glands or insufficient care. If it is dictated by internal diseases, the mask will not help.

Contraindications

Allergy to mask components;
white hair color (both natural and acquired after dyeing) - after the mask it may acquire an unpleasant greenish tint;
pregnancy;
bronchial asthma;
pulmonary diseases;
inflammations, wounds, scratches, cuts, ulcers, boils on the scalp;
advanced form of seborrhea requiring drug treatment;
individual intolerance;
damaged, brittle, dry hair;
psoriasis;
high sensitivity of the scalp.

Carefully! The pungent smell of freshly brewed mustard can lead to headaches or increase blood pressure. Therefore, hypertension and a tendency to migraines are considered relative contraindications for such a mask.

Side effects

Hyperemia;
headache;
burning, itching;
runny nose;
profuse dandruff;
exacerbation of inflammatory processes due to additional blood flow;
scalp burn;
increased blood pressure;
attacks of suffocation, bronchial asthma;
rash;
peeling and formation of weeping ulcers.

One more word of caution. If you have hair loss, it is better to get permission from a trichologist to use a mustard mask, so as not to harm yourself. It does not help with all types of alopecia, and in some cases it can even worsen the situation.

How to do

Preparation

To prepare the mask you need mustard powder. It is diluted with the liquid specified in the recipe. It does not have to be water: depending on the final goal of the remedy, it can be replaced by milk, kefir, medicinal infusions of herbs and even juices. The main thing is that they are warm or hot. Cold, they will not be able to give the mixture the necessary consistency and often lead to the formation of lumps that will get stuck in the hair. Boiling water is also not suitable, since upon contact with it, mustard releases toxic compounds that can harm the skin by clogging its pores.

It is better to mix the main ingredients in wooden, glass or ceramic containers. The main thing is not metal or plastic. Try not to allow lumps to form.

Honey, cosmetic and vegetable oils are preheated in a water or steam bath to 35-40°C. But be careful if you mix eggs, esters or ampoule vitamins into the mask with them. From high temperatures, the first ones can curl up and spoil the mixture, while the second and third ones can lose some of their beneficial properties.

The mask can be applied to both dirty and clean skin. In the first case, it will also work as a natural shampoo. So whether or not to wash your hair before the procedure is up to you to decide. However, the hair must be dry at the time of application.

Experts' opinion. Many trichologists recommend applying the mask without first washing your hair in order for it to work as effectively as possible.

Test

Mustard is a powerful irritant that often causes severe allergic reactions. Even if you safely eat it, this does not mean that when applied to the skin everything will be just as good. So, save yourself from trouble and do a preliminary test.

Apply the prepared mixture to your wrist, inner elbow or skin behind the ear.
Wait a quarter of an hour.
If there are no unpleasant sensations or allergic manifestations, the mask is used in accordance with its intended purpose.
If they are available, you need to find another remedy.

It is necessary to take into account that such test checks do not provide a 100% guarantee of the absence of allergies in the future. It may not appear immediately, but after some time. Especially with regular use.

How to apply

Application

If the task is to influence the roots (activate growth) or the scalp (eliminate dandruff), you need to apply only to them, rubbing the mixture with massage movements. If you also need cosmetic restoration of the hair itself (to make it less greasy, more shiny), distribute the paste over the entire length with your palms. There is no need to comb your hair to prevent mustard from getting on your ends: it can make them split even more. It is even recommended to first dip them in warm oil (burdock, coconut, castor olive) so that it protects them from the aggressive effects of the mask.

Experts' opinion. Some trichologists do not recommend applying the mask over the entire length, claiming that it is only necessary for the roots. However, there are many positive reviews that this use of the product improves the external condition of the hair. This issue must be approached with caution and taking into account individual reactions.

Insulation

Hair growth, thanks to the mustard mask, is largely due to the saturation of the follicles with essential nutrients. To enhance their penetration into the skin, it is necessary to do insulation. Increasing the temperature will speed up biochemical reactions. The bottom layer is either a plastic shower cap or a plastic bag. The top one is a woolen scarf or terry towel.

Feel

Due to the blood flow to the scalp due to the irritating effect of the mask, burning and itching may occur after application. You need to be able to control them. If the sensations are quite tolerable, this is considered normal; there is no need to be scared and take any action to eliminate them. But if they cause pain and become unbearable, the mixture must be washed off immediately and either choose another recipe with mustard, or find another remedy to solve your problem.

How long should I leave it on my hair?

For those who are making a mustard mask for the first time, it is not advisable to overexpose it, even if the test showed the absence of allergies. The optimal time is 10 minutes. If there were no painful sensations, no side effects occurred, and you liked the result, with each subsequent time the session can be extended by another 5 minutes. The maximum for a classic recipe without auxiliary ingredients and with good tolerance is half an hour. If the composition also contains aggressive substances that irritate the skin (alcohol, pepper), no more than a quarter of an hour. If, on the contrary, the effect of mustard is softened by oil, kefir or egg - up to 40-50 minutes.

Wash

Remove insulation.
Lightly moisten your head with water at room temperature (the main thing is not hot).
Apply a mild shampoo (preferably herbal). Its task is to soothe irritated skin and relieve redness. Beat until foamy.
Rinse with water (not hot).
Once again, more thoroughly, rinse your hair with the same shampoo.
Rinse off the shampoo and rinse with a solution of a medicinal decoction of any herb.
Dry your hair with a towel (do not rub or twist).

Completion

Do not use balms and conditioners. After such a procedure, you need to dry your hair exclusively naturally without the help of a hairdryer. You can comb only after it has completely dried, otherwise the irritated scalp will be seriously injured. Styling products are not recommended to be used within 12 hours to allow the effect of the mustard mask to take hold.

A little about the varieties. To prepare masks, it is better to use either white or Sarepta mustard. Black is too hot and aggressive for this.

To make an effective mustard mask at home, you need to know a few more secrets of its preparation and use.

The mask is made with mustard powder, and not a ready-made store-bought product in liquid form. The latter contains too many harmful substances (dyes, preservatives, flavor enhancers, etc.). It will be ideal if you purchase the powder at the pharmacy.

Do not exceed the amount of mustard specified in the recipe.

You cannot store the mixture and use it twice - use it all at once. Throw away the rest.

Avoid getting the mixture in your nose, mouth and eyes. If this happens, you need to rinse them with cool running water as quickly as possible.

If you feel that you have overexposed it (the itching and burning are unbearable), after rinsing, lubricate your scalp with regular vegetable oil for 30 minutes.

Do not use the mask too often, otherwise the result will be excessive drying of the hair. They will begin to break and split. For oily skin, 2 times a week will be enough, for normal and combination skin types - 1 time per week, for dry, colored and damaged skin - 1 time every 10 or even 14 days. Every 10 procedures you need to take a break of a month.

A special effect can be achieved if you alternate mustard masks with other, less aggressive ones: kefir, olive, egg. This will reduce stress levels on your hair and scalp.

Recipes

Classic recipe

For accelerated growth, against fat content. Dilute dry mustard with warm water in equal quantities. You should get a creamy mixture. The consistency can be controlled by decreasing or increasing the amount of water.

All other recipes are prepared based on this mixture by adding other auxiliary ingredients.

On a note. Many people use this recipe not as a mask, but as a shampoo for oily hair. The effect is amazing: they become less dirty, shiny and thick.

Mustard, egg, honey

Nutritious. Mix 20 ml of honey with dry mustard diluted with water to a creamy consistency (50 g). Add 1 beaten egg.

Minus: an unpleasant eggy smell may remain on the hair. To remove it, add a few drops of your favorite ether to the water when rinsing. This applies to all mustard masks that contain eggs.

With mustard and burdock oil

One of the most gentle. Even when applied to the entire length of the hair, the risk of damage will be minimal due to the enveloping properties of the oil. Both ingredients are mixed in equal quantities.

Burdock oil in this recipe can be replaced with any other oil in accordance with the hair type and the problem that needs to be solved (castor, olive, coconut, etc.) without loss of effectiveness. If this is a loss, then ours will help you choose the oil.

Disadvantage: oils are difficult to wash off, leaving a greasy shine on the hair, making it seem dirty. To make this process easier, for the first time it is recommended to apply shampoo to your head without wetting and try to lather it dry. It's difficult, but possible. But during the second wash, not a trace of oil will remain.

With mustard and honey

Nourishing, restorative. Its properties are similar to the previous one. Both ingredients are mixed in equal quantities. Honey should be as fresh and melted as possible.

Minus: if you don't rinse your hair well, it will stick together because of the honey.

With mustard and egg

For growth and shine, against hair loss. 1 egg, beaten until foamy, mixed with 100 g of mustard diluted with water.

With mustard and kefir

For growth, against alopecia. The powder is mixed not with water, but with kefir. The proportions remain the same. For oily hair, you need a 1% or 1.5% fermented milk drink. For normal and combined - 2.5%. For dry - 3.5%.

With mustard and yeast

Turbo growth accelerator. Dilute powdered yeast (15 g) in warm milk (about 50 ml), add sugar (15 g). Leave for half an hour - you need the mixture to ferment. Add 20 g of honey and 50 g of mustard diluted with water.

With mustard and sugar

Regular granulated sugar enhances the effect of mustard in all directions. A mask with it becomes 2 times more effective both for growth and against hair loss and oiliness. Mustard powder and sugar can be mixed immediately (50 g each), then poured with warm water until a paste of the desired consistency is formed. You can first prepare the mustard mixture (according to the classic recipe), and then add sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved.

Minus: very drying. If your hair is initially dry, split ends, brittle, or colored, you need to add 100 ml of any oil to the mask.

With yolk

Stimulates growth, stops hair loss. Main indication: for dry hair. Mix 50 g of mustard diluted in water with the yolk.

With green tea

Variation of the previous recipe. Gives a beautiful shine. Mustard powder should initially be mixed with good quality leafy green tea in equal proportions (30 g each), add hot water (50 ml), mix thoroughly, and leave for a quarter of an hour. Add the yolk and mix well again.

With mustard and gelatin

Prepare mustard and gelatin pastes separately. Gelatin powder is poured with water (warm or room temperature) in a ratio of 1: 3. Kneaded so that no lumps form. Leave for half an hour. If everything is done correctly, the gelatinous mass will double in volume. You can heat it in the microwave (15 seconds) or in a water (steam) bath for 5 minutes. Combine both masses.

Note. Gelatin gives a laminating effect, so it is applied along the entire length to exceptionally clean hair (for more information about lamination with gelatin-based masks, photos “before” and “after” the procedure, see).

With mustard and vitamins

Nourishing, suitable for any type. Mix 60 g of mustard paste, 1 mashed yolk, 20 ml of burdock (or any other) oil, 10 ml of oil vitamins A and E (can be replaced with ampoule ones).

Multicomponent

For accelerated growth and shine. Mix 60 g of mustard paste, 20 g of mayonnaise and natural olive oil, 10 g of melted butter.

Note. Designed for dry hair, but contraindicated for oily hair.

With essential oil

For easy combing and shine. Dilute 50 g of mustard powder with 100 ml of kefir, stir thoroughly. Add 1 yolk, 10 g of honey, 20 ml of almond (or any other) oil, 5 drops of rosemary ether.

With aloe

Restorative. Mix 60 g mustard paste, 2 yolks, 30 ml each of aloe juice and cognac, 20 g heavy cream.

With onion juice

Accelerates growth, stops hair loss. Mix 60 g of mustard paste, 20 ml of onion juice (pass the onion through a meat grinder or blender and squeeze out the liquid using gauze), 20 ml of aloe juice, 10 g of honey. To enhance the effect, many people add a little more garlic juice, but you need to take into account how hot the mixture will be.

Minus: the irritating effect increases several times. Therefore, the exposure time is reduced to a quarter of an hour. To remove unpleasant odors, add a few drops of any ether to the rinsing water.

Mustard, egg, sugar

A milder variation of the previous recipe. Add 1 egg, beaten until foamy, to the mustard-sugar mixture (100 g).

With yogurt and oatmeal

Nourishing, stops hair loss. Dilute 50 g of mustard powder with 50 ml of yogurt, stir thoroughly. Add 20 g of honey, 20 g of oatmeal, 20 ml of lemon juice.

With cranberry juice

Nutritious, enriched with vitamins. Dilute 50 g of mustard powder with 100 ml of cranberry juice, stir thoroughly. Add 1 yolk, 20 g of sour cream (its fat content is determined by hair type), 10 ml of apple cider vinegar.

With clay

Anti-fat. Mix 60 g of mustard paste with 20 g of blue clay powder, 20 ml of arnica tincture and apple cider vinegar.

With cognac

Stimulates growth. Mix 50 g of thick mustard paste with a small amount of cognac (so that the mask does not leak).

With pepper

Growth activator, anti-fat. Dilute 60 g of mustard powder with 50 ml of red pepper tincture. Add 100 ml kefir.

Note. Be careful: the mask turns out to be hot and aggressive, despite the presence of kefir. It is better to apply it with gloves.

With henna

Nourishing, restorative. Mix 20 g of mustard powder with 20 g of colorless henna. Add water to form a creamy paste.

With herbal infusion

Restorative. Dilute 50 g of mustard powder with 100 ml of chamomile infusion (or oak bark, or St. John's wort, or any other herb suitable for your hair type). Add sea buckthorn oil (20 ml). Leave for half an hour.

With nicotinic acid

To strengthen roots, against hair loss and dandruff. Mix 20 g of mustard powder with 20 g of colorless henna. Add water to form a creamy paste. Add 1 ampoule of nicotinic acid.

Mustard hair mask is intended primarily for caring for oily hair and accelerating growth. However, by adding various ingredients to it, you can soften its aggressiveness and change the direction of action. When used correctly, it can moisturize and repair damage.