How to Make a Banana Hair Mask

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 18, 2023 Tested

If your hair is looking dull, dry, and frizzy, it likely needs a boost of extra hydration. A hair mask can add intense moisture to your hair to help it look smoother, softer, and shinier. Bananas are an ideal base for a homemade mask because they're loaded with vitamins, minerals, and healthy oils that can moisturize and strengthen your hair. They can also help balance your scalp's pH. Mix your bananas with other natural ingredients that you have in your kitchen, such as milk, olive oil, honey, and butter for a luxurious hair treatment that's inexpensive and easy to make.

Ingredients

Banana Milkshake Hair Mask

1 to 2 ripe bananas
¼ cup (59 ml) whole or coconut milk

Banana and Olive Oil Hair Mask

1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

Banana and Honey Hair Mask

½ cup (170 g) raw, organic honey
2 ripe bananas

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing a Banana Milkshake Hair Mask

1
Mash or puree 1 to 2 bananas. Break the bananas up into a blender or food processor, and puree them until they have the consistency of a thick paste. Make sure that the mixture doesn’t have any lumps because they’ll stick to your hair and be difficult to wash out.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If your hair is extremely long, you may need up to 3 bananas for the mask.
- You can also break the bananas up into a bowl, and use a fork or stick blender to mash them.
2
Stream in the milk. Once the banana is mashed into a paste, drizzle up to ¼ cup (59 ml) of whole or coconut milk into the blender or food processor to thin the mixture. Mix the two together until you reach the consistency of commercial hair conditioner.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- The calcium and proteins in milk restore shine and strengthen the hair. Its lactic acid also removes debris to leave hair softer.
- It’s best to start with a small amount of milk, mix in it, and then check the consistency. Only add more milk if the mask is too thick.
Advertisement
3
Apply the mask to dry hair from the roots down. Once the mask is the right consistency, being massaging it into your hair while it’s dry from the scalp to the ends. Use as much of the mask as you can to ensure that your hair is completely saturated with it.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Work over a sink or bathtub in case any of the mask drips off your hair.
4
Cover your hair and let the mask sit for 20 minutes. To keep the mask from falling off your hair, put on a shower cap or wrap your head with plastic wrap. Next, allow the mask to sit on your hair for 15 to 20 minutes so it has time to really condition your hair.^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
Wash and condition your hair as normal. When you've let the mask soak in for at least 15 minutes, wash it with your usual shampoo. You can follow up with conditioner, but you may find that the mask is so hydrating that you don’t need it. Rinse well to ensure that all of the banana and milk is out of your hair.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Whipping Up a Banana and Olive Oil Hair Mask

1
Puree the banana. Place 1 ripe banana that’s been roughly chopped into your blender or food processor. Process it until it has a smooth, lump-free texture.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- You can mash the banana by hand with a fork, but work slowly to get all of the lumps out of the puree.
2
Mix in the olive oil. When the banana is mashed, slowly pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil into the blender or food processor. Blend the fruit and oil together until the mask has a creamy, frothy texture.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Olive oil is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, such as vitamin E, that help hair maintain its moisture and protect against sun and other environmental damage.
3
Apply the mask to wet hair. Before applying the banana and olive oil mask, wet your hair. Massage the mixture evenly into your hair, start at your roots. Work it all the way down to the ends so all of your hair is saturated.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Put the mask on your hair over the sink or in the shower to avoid making a mess on the floor.
4
Allow the mask to sit on your hair for 15 minutes. When the mask is in place, let it sit on your hair for 10 to 15 minutes.If you're concerned about the mask dripping off, it's a good idea to put a shower cap, towel, or some plastic wrap over your hair as the mask sits.^{[9]
X
Research source}
5
Rinse the mask off with cool water. When the mask’s time is up, use cool water to wash it out of your hair. It may take two or three rinses to remove all of the banana from your hair so work carefully. If necessary, follow up with your usual shampoo and conditioner.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mixing Up a Banana and Honey Hair Mask

1
Combine the honey and banana in a food processor. Add ½ cup (170 g) of raw, organic honey and 2 ripe bananas that have been roughly chopped to a food processor. Blend the two together until they form a smooth puree.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Honey contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can protect the hair from damage. It's also extremely emollient so it helps condition and moisturize your hair as well.
- You can also mix the mask up in a blender.
- For extra moisturizing, you can mix up to ½ cup (118 ml) of olive oil into the mask as well.
2
Apply the mask to dry hair. Massage the mask into your hair, distributing it evenly. Start at the roots and work your way down to the ends.^{[12]
X
Research source}
3
Cover your hair and allow the mask to sit for 20 minutes. Once the mask is on your hair, place a shower cap or plastic wrap over it. Leave the mask to sit on your head for 10 to 20 minutes so it has time to really condition your hair.^{[13]
X
Research source}
4
Rinse the mask out with water. After the mask has sat on your hair for at least 10 minutes, wash it out with cool to lukewarm water. You can use shampoo if you’re having trouble removing all of it.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- You may need to rinse your hair more than once to get all of the mask out of it.

Community Q&A

Question

Can we use powdered sugar instead of honey?

Community Answer

No. This is not food; the honey is not being used for sweetness, it is being used because it is nourishing for the hair. Sugar has no benefits for your hair and it would be useless to add it to a hair mask. If you don't have honey, then use the coconut milk or olive oil recipe, or just use the banana by itself.
Question

How often should I use a banana hair mask?

Community Answer

You should apply this mask once a week for the best results of hair growth.
Question

How do I wrap my hair in a plastic wrap?

Community Answer

Tip your head upside down, twist your hair to make a bun, but don't tie it. Then while placing a hand over the bun, put the plastic bag over your hair and use the handles to secure it tightly around your head.

Warnings

The banana bits can take a very long time to rinse out of your hair. Be sure to wash carefully and thoroughly to avoid leaving any residue behind.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 10 Not Helpful 3
To avoid banana bits, try freezing and thawing your bananas before you puree them. Alternatively, use banana baby food.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0