Fresh bananas are rich in nutrition, and they taste and smell great, too. But did you know that bananas can give your hair a boost in texture, thickness, and shine?

Bananas contain silica, a mineral element that helps your body to synthesize collagen and may make your hair stronger and thicker. Bananas also have antimicrobial properties that can heal flaky and dry scalp, relieving dandruff symptoms.

Banana has become a popular ingredient in homemade hair masks meant to condition and soften your hair.

So what do we actually know about using DIY hair masks containing bananas? Keep reading to find out if you should try this home remedy.

Research into the nutritional and chemical properties of bananas indicate banana masks can be used widely for different hair conditions.

Banana hair mask for frizzy hair

A banana mask may help with hair that’s frizzy due to banana’s high silica content.

Silica is absorbed by your body to produce collagen, the protein that is a building block of bouncy and healthy hair.

Silicone, which silica is related to, is frequently included in beauty products like hair conditioner to give your hair a soft, voluminous sheen. When you put bananas on your hair, you’re skipping the middleman and infusing it with pure gloss — and say goodbye to frizz.

Banana hair mask for dandruff

For centuries, the banana peel, leaf, flower, and fruit have been used in different cultures as a treatment for various ailments. Research now shows us that the extracts of different parts of the banana do have antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Dandruff symptoms can be caused by irritation, dryness, as well as fungal and bacterial pathogens. Applying banana masks to your scalp can add moisture (cutting down on dryness) and also rid your scalp of those microscopic offenders causing your dandruff symptoms.

Banana hair mask for hair growth

Antioxidants in bananas can also infuse your scalp and hair with a stronger defense system and decrease oxidative stress — a major cause of hair that looks brittle and aged. Banana masks, over time, can lead to hair follicles that are stronger and, as a result, grow longer.

Here are some recipes to get you started with using banana masks on your hair.

Banana and egg hair mask

This simple two-ingredient hair mask is particularly good for encouraging hair growth and sleek, glossy hair. In a 2018 laboratory study, egg proteins were found to give hair growth a jump-start.

You’ll need:

  • 1 or 2 ripe bananas (or more, depending on your hair length)
  • 1 egg
  1. Start by peeling and mashing the bananas between your hands before putting them, along with the cracked egg, into a blender or bowl.
  2. Mix until the mixture has an even texture and consistently.
  3. Apply to your hair, paying special attention to your scalp and any split ends.
  4. Leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly out of your hair. Use lukewarm water to avoid “baking” the egg into your hair strands.

Banana and honey hair mask

Honey is rich in antioxidants that can condition your scalp, and also promotes healing of dry and irritated skin. This mask is great for dandruff as it will infuse moisture and antioxidants into your hair.

You’ll need:

  • 1/2–1 tbsp. honey, depending on the length of your hair (food-grade is fine, but Manuka honey is best)
  • 1–2 ripe bananas
  1. Start by peeling and mashing the banana between your hands before putting into a bowl or blender, along with the honey.
  2. Mix until the mixture is an even texture and consistency.
  3. Apply the hair mask, paying special attention to your scalp and the roots of your hair.
  4. Leave in for 10–15 minutes.
  5. Rinse hair well with lukewarm water before using hair conditioner or cream rinse for added softness.

Banana and coconut hair mask

Banana and coconut make a great combination for hair that could use a silky, moisture-rich treatment. Try this mask after bleaching or coloring your hair to treat hair follicles that may have been damaged.

You’ll need:

  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil (at room temperature for easiest mixing)
  • 1–2 ripe bananas
  1. Start by peeling and mashing the banana between your hands before putting into a bowl or blender, along with the coconut oil.
  2. Mix until the mixture is an even texture and consistency.
  3. Apply the hair mask, paying special attention to your scalp. If you have dandruff, coat the top of your head and top with a shower cap.
  4. Leave it in for 10–15 minutes
  5. Rinse your hair well with lukewarm water.

Banana and avocado hair mask

Avocado has multiple benefits for your hair. The minerals and proteins in this fat-rich fruit soften and condition follicles. Mixing avocado with bananas is particularly good for hair that’s showing signs of aging, or needs a bit of a volume boost.

You’ll need:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1–2 ripe bananas, depending on the length of your hair
  1. Start by peeling and mashing the banana between your hands before putting into a bowl or blender, along with the pitted avocado.
  2. Mix until the mixture has an even texture and consistency.
  3. Apply the hair mask, paying special attention to your ends and damaged spots of your hair.
  4. Leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes
  5. Rinse your hair well with lukewarm water.

Supercharged banana hair mask

You can use all of the above ingredients to create a mask that will nourish, soften, and condition your hair texture while treating dandruff. You’ll need:

  • 1–2 ripe bananas
  • 1/2 ripe avocado
  • 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1/2 tbsp. honey
  • 1 egg

Combine all ingredients and leave in your hair for 20 minutes for optimum hair refreshment. Wash off with lukewarm water.

Banana allergies, also called latex-fruit allergy, can occur. People who have latex-fruit allergies should avoid the topical application of bananas to their hair.

You should also be careful while you are washing banana hair masks out of your hair. Banana should be washed out completely. Banana debris left on your scalp can cause irritation and worsen symptoms of dandruff.

The same substances that give bananas their soft, chewy consistency can soften and condition your hair. We don’t have a lot of research into how effective banana mask treatments can be, but we do have reason to believe that they can be an effective DIY solution to dandruff and dry hair.