Can you put lotion in your hair

By: | Last Updated: February 28, 2022

Getting that beautiful and healthy hair is not as easy as it sounds. 

A proper hair care routine goes from shampooing to deep conditioning to hair oils and serums. 

It takes so much effort, right? Not to mention, regular salon visits are necessary too! 

But have you ever wondered about using lotion as part of your hair care regimen? Well, if the answer is yes, then this article is for you! 

But before we dig deep into that, let’s first learn what happens if you put lotion in the hair. 


What happens if I put lotion in my hair?

What happens if I put lotion in my hair

First things first, lotion comes in many types — facial lotion, body lotion, baby lotion, hand lotion, and hair lotion. We’ll discuss them in detail one by one. 

Okay, so what happens if you put lotion in the hair? 

Well, the answer depends on what type of lotion you’re using and what your hair type is.

1. Hand Lotion

Hand lotion is a good alternative if you run out of hair conditioner. But only use those that contain water, glycerin, and Cetearyl or cetyl alcohol. These ingredients add moisture to the hair.  On the other hand, avoid those that contain non-fatty alcohols. 

Applying the correct hand lotion results in sleeker and tamer hair. With hand lotion, you’re one step away from frizz and flyaways. Not to mention, it also makes the hair smell good. 

2. Hair Lotion

However, a much safer product is hair lotion since this is specifically formulated for the hair. Hair lotion moisturizes the hair and works best in treating dry scalp, eczema, and dermatitis. 

Hair lotion also acts as a deep conditioner. As a result, it strengthens and fortifies your tresses. 

But while hand and hair lotion are beneficial for the hair, it may not be suitable for all hair types. Hence, test the waters first and consult hair experts before trying out these products.

Also, overusing these products is not good for the hair. A pea-sized amount is enough. Otherwise, you’ll end up with greasy and crunchy hair. So use sparingly!

3. Facial Lotion

Facial cream or facial lotions is also a good alternative since it contains hyaluronic acid, which locks water into the hair shaft. In other words, facial lotions help hydrate the hair. ​​

However, you should only apply facial lotion on the hair ends because some ingredients, like silicone, ​​do not penetrate the hair shaft. 

4. Body Lotion

But what about body lotions? 

Well, now that’s a different story. 


Can you put body lotion in your hair?

The answer is simple — you shouldn’t put body lotion in your hair.

Nope, not even a single dab! 

Since body lotion moisturizes the skin, most people assume that applying it to the hair will also have the same effect. 

However, in reality, body lotion is not an ideal hair care product. 

Continuous use of body lotion will result in adverse outcomes, such as:

1. Hair discoloration 

Body lotion contains aromatic chemicals. So when exposed to your tresses, body lotion can cause discoloration. What a total disaster! 

2. Greasy hair

And since body lotions have more moisturizing ingredients than hair lotions, your hair and scalp will likely become greasy

3. Dandruff

Say hello to those little white flakes! 

Developing dandruff is a possibility due to greasy scalp caused by body lotions. 

4. Dry hair

Body lotion has mineral oils which cannot penetrate the hair strands. As a result, it creates a barrier for other moisturizing products, such as oil and serums. 

And since moisture can no longer pass through, your hair becomes dry and dehydrated.

5. Excessive hair fall

Continuous use of body lotion will ultimately result in hair fall. We’ll discuss this in more detail later on. 


Is putting lotion on your scalp bad?

Is putting lotion on your scalp bad

Putting lotion on the scalp isn’t bad, as long as you’re using hair lotion. 

Never put on body lotion, as this will make your scalp oily. Hand and baby lotions aren’t recommended either.

As mentioned earlier, hair lotion eliminates dandruff and scalp irritation. So it is safe and recommended for scalp use.


Can you put lotion in your hair for dandruff?

Yes, you can but only use hair lotion. 

Hair lotion, particularly anti-dandruff lotion, is a good moisturizer for dry and flaky scalps.

Anti-dandruff lotion is formulated with dandruff-controlling active, which prevents dandruff from accumulating. Not to mention, it treats dandruff without leaving the scalp dry. 

Say goodbye to winter wonderland, thanks to this product!  


Can you put lotion in your hair for dry scalp?

Yes. Aside from eliminating dandruff, hair lotion also prevents scalp dryness

But keep in mind that not all lotions are effective. Some are too heavy for the scalp, making your tresses extremely oily, while some are too light, rendering them ineffective for dry scalp treatment. 


Can you put baby lotion in your hair?

Yes, you can since baby lotion contains an inherent gentle formula. 

However, apply it only on the hair ends.

Keep it away from the scalp and remember: you shouldn’t use baby lotion as a dandruff treatment. 

What does baby lotion do to your hair then? 

Putting baby lotion on your tresses will give it extra shine and smoothness. It also helps combat heat damage and flyaways. 

However, you should only apply a small amount of baby lotion. Too much of it can make the hair greasy. So don’t overdo it!

Most importantly, apply baby lotion only on wet hair since moisture is fully absorbed when the hair is wet. 


Can lotion make your hair fall out?

Can lotion make your hair fall out

Yes, it can make the hair fall out, but only if using body lotion.

This is because body lotion weakens the hair strands. And as a result, these damaged strands fall out. 

So if you’re worried about losing a lot of hair, stay away from body lotion! 

CHECK OUT: Is Beer Good For Your Hair?


The takeaway

While hand, baby, and hair lotions are safe for hair use, you should still apply them in moderation. Remember that too much of anything is never good. 

Use only as much lotion as you need. Otherwise, you’ll end up with greasy hair. Also, use only hair lotions for treating dry scalp and dandruff. 

Most importantly, stay away from body lotion. Body lotion only works best for the skin and not for the hair.  

So if you accidentally put body lotion on your hair, immediately wash it with a clarifying shampoo to maintain your hair’s integrity and prevent further damage.

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