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Chlorophyll Benefits for Hair | An Overly-Detailed Guide

Have you ever wondered why plants are green? If you’ve ever marveled at nature’s emerald hue, you’ve already come face-to-face with chlorophyll. 

This brightly-colored pigment has recently been gaining buzz as a superfood, but will it help your hair grow? Read on to learn all you need to know about chlorophyll’s benefits for hair. 

What Is Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is what plants use to trap light for photosynthesis. And here’s a fun fact: chlorophyll is structurally similar to hemoglobin, the chemical our body uses to carry oxygen in our blood. 

This structural similarity is what makes chlorophyll such a promising supplement for our health. It’s a natural source of several vitamins and minerals our bodies need to thrive. 

Some of the health benefits associated with taking chlorophyll are:

  • Acting as an antioxidant
  • Aiding in clearing toxins from the body
  • Boosting liver function
  • Nourishing the skin and hair

That’s quite a list! Unfortunately, there’s no medical evidence to verify the truth of these supposed benefits. Still, eating more vegetables can only help in your quest for the healthiest hair and nails possible. 

What Is So Great About Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll benefits for hair and skin in a chart

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Chlorophyll is rich in magnesium, one of the many micronutrients that are important for our health. Since it’s built like hemoglobin, it also contains all the raw materials needed for its synthesis. 

As a result, more oxygen can flow through your veins. The boost in oxygen and nutrients can nourish cells all over the body, including your hair follicles and nail beds.

That’s good news if you’re going for strong and healthy hair. If that wasn’t enough, magnesium also acts as an antioxidant. These chemicals work to relieve inflammation throughout your body. 

Antioxidants have several benefits, including:

  • Enhanced skin repair
  • Anti-microbial effects, leading to less acne
  • Slowing down the aging process

Lowering inflammation helps promote health throughout your entire body. And when your body is at peak health, your hair and nails will be as healthy as they can be, too. Ultimately, chlorophyll is the superfood that goes above and beyond. 

Does Chlorophyll Give You Energy?

Chlorophyll gives you energy due to its oxygen-boosting properties. The increase in available oxygen makes it easier for your muscles to work. That little extra oomph can help you feel refreshed and ready for the day. 

If you get your chlorophyll from vegetables, you’re likely getting other extra vitamins and minerals, too. All of these factors contribute to the extra energy and feeling of well-being that is associated with taking chlorophyll supplements. 

Ways to Incorporate Chlorophyll Into Your Diet

Woman incorporating vegetables into her diet to get the chlorophyll benefits for hair

Nadezhdapulse/Shutterstock

If you’re ready to take the plunge into taking chlorophyll for your hair and nails, here are some easy ways to incorporate it into your diet. 

Eat Your Vegetables

As mentioned earlier, chlorophyll is found in green plants. This means the easiest way to up your chlorophyll intake is to eat more raw vegetables and leafy greens. Some vegetables that are high in chlorophyll include:

  • Spinach
  • Parsley
  • Broccoli
  • Green cabbage
  • Green beans
  • Sweet peas
  • Asparagus
  • Collard greens
  • Cucumber
  • Green onions

The USDA recommends getting 2½ cups of vegetables every day. To boost your chlorophyll intake, make sure at least half of that amount comes from raw green vegetables. 

Also, make sure to include some healthy fat in your meals. Chlorophyll is fat-soluble, which means your body will absorb more of it when you have healthy sources of fat. Foods like seeds and avocados should do the trick. 

What About Liquid Chlorophyll?

According to nutrition experts, isolated liquid chlorophyll won’t give you the same benefits as chlorophyll you get from eating vegetables. This means the chlorophyll water that’s trending on TikTok might not be the best way to get your daily dose of this pigment. 

The concentrated form of chlorophyll is also more likely to give you symptoms of intestinal distress, including nausea and vomiting. Talk about too much of a good thing!

You don’t have to throw it out, though. You can try applying liquid chlorophyll directly to your scalp. The magnesium might promote local relaxation, increasing blood flow to your scalp and hair follicles. 

Blend It Smooth

Smoothies are an easy and effective way to get more chlorophyll in your diet. Blending the leaves releases larger amounts of chlorophyll than chewing and digestion alone. 

For a quick, energy-boosting breakfast smoothie, try blending: 

  • Two large chard leaves
  • One kale leaf
  • One stalk of celery
  • One frozen banana
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • ½ cup frozen spinach
  • ½ cup milk or milk substitute
  • One drop of liquid chlorophyll (optional)

This simple smoothie recipe is the perfect way to add some chlorophyll to your diet. Drinking something like this daily might make your hair and nails glow, too. 

Indulge in Matcha Tea

You might be familiar with matcha, the beautiful and vibrant green tea commonly featured in anime and Japanese tea shops. But did you know that matcha is naturally a rich source of chlorophyll?

This stone-ground tea is made entirely of tea leaves, which explains the high chlorophyll content. Add a scoop to your morning smoothies or enjoy it as a hot beverage, the way it’s traditionally prepared. 

Matcha might be an acquired taste for some, so adding some foamy milk might make it more accessible. Either way, you’ll get all of the benefits of chlorophyll in a simple and delicious drink. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutritionist at a desk holding a smoothie in a glass up to highlights the benefits of chlorophyll on hair

Studio Romantic/Shutterstock

Still, wondering how chlorophyll can bring life to your hair? Check out these frequently asked questions for answers. 

Does chlorophyll help hair grow?

Taking an oral chlorophyll supplement might improve your hair growth. Chlorophyll contains minerals, like magnesium and copper, that are important to the overall functioning of your body. Keeping your mineral status within the recommended range can support hair and nail growth.

Is chlorophyll good for hair and nails?

It’s unclear whether chlorophyll offers a direct benefit to hair and nails. Some better supplements that specifically target hair and nails might be biotin and saw palmetto. These compounds have medical evidence to back their use in growing your nails and hair.

How quickly does chlorophyll work?

The time it takes for any supplement to work depends on your specific body chemistry, metabolism, and regularity of consumption. If you take chlorophyll supplements regularly and at the dose recommended by the manufacturer, you could see results as soon as two weeks.

Can you put liquid chlorophyll on your hair?

The benefits of a chlorophyll supplement are more potent when taken orally. However, you might experience a modest benefit by applying liquid chlorophyll directly to your scalp. It might reduce scalp inflammation, which can promote hair growth.

What are the cons of taking chlorophyll?

Taking supplements, including chlorophyll, always has some risks. Chlorophyll supplements might cause nausea and vomiting as they make their way through your digestive tract. That’s definitely not fun!

So, What Are Chlorophyll Benefits for Hair?

Chlorophyll is a superfood that may help your hair and nails grow longer and more robust. However, it’s important to note that none of these statements have been clinically tested.

You might have different results depending on your unique chemistry. Always do your research before starting a new supplement routine, but don’t be afraid to experiment. You never know what might work for you.