by
Christina Patrice
What is Sulfur?
Sulfur is a naturally occurring mineral, and the third most abundant in the human body behind calcium and phosphorus. In the body, it is a necessity for proper synthesis of proteins and enzyme, vitamin conversions, joint health, metabolizing amino acids, hair, nail, and skin health, and more.
What Does Sulfur Do for Hair?
Sulfur is often referred to as one of the building blocks of hair, with good reason. Our hair is comprised of a durable protein called keratin, which is high in sulfur content. Sulfur is required for proteins (like keratin) to maintain their shape, which contributes directly to the overall health, strength, and elasticity of hair. More exciting is that there are studies indicating that sulfur has positive effects on hair growth. The life cycle of your hair consists of 3 phases: growing, resting, and shedding. Sulfur has been proven to lengthen the growing phase of your hair. A longer growing phase (before resting and shedding) means longer hair. Lastly, sulfur also has been linked to treating, relieving, and decreasing the occurrences of psoriasis, dandruff, eczema, and folliculitis. I personally find the growth benefits and scalp relief to be pretty amazing. I’ve been taking MSM regularly since I began transitioning, and I attribute it to supporting and encouraging healthy hair growth. You can check out my growth and progress pictures out at www.maneobjective.com or on Instagram @maneobjective. I recently began using two products from The Pomade Shop (which you’ll see later) on my scalp, and both have definitely helped relieve some of the scaling and flakes I get with my scalp psoriasis.
How Do I Get the Benefits of Sulfur?
Internally
There are a couple of different ways to get the amazing growth benefits of sulfur, inside and out. If you’re interested in increasing your sulfur intake internally, chow down on these foods:
Or, you could always take MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), which can be found at any health food store, and even Trader Joe’s.
Externally
To boost the benefits of sulfur in terms of stimulating your scalp or relieving conditions, there are tons of products and DIY recipes to follow. Here are some of the best sulfur-containing products to help you in your healthy hair goals:
If you’re more of a DIY kind of person, you can purchase sulfur online (through websites like Amazon.com), and create a sulfur mix with some of your favorite carrier and essential oils. Here is a popular recipe for use on the scalp that can be found online as NJoy’s Sulfur Mix:
This recipe works best when mixed and applied using an applicator bottle.
Tips & Recommendations
If you are going to roll with the DIY sulfur recipe listed above, be mindful that sulfur does not dissolve in oil. You will need to shake up the applicator bottle before each use. Most importantly, some people report allergic reactions to using sulfur on their skin, especially at higher concentrations. Do not use more than the amount recommended above. Before applying to your entire scalp, do a patch test in an inconspicuous area to test for sensitivity. You can always take the cautious approach and start off with half of the sulfur required for the recipe or less, and gradually increase the amount.
Happy growing!
Have you ever used sulfur, or products containing sulfur to grow your hair? Share any favorite recipes as well!
54 Responses
I recently started to incorporate ayurvedic herbs into my hair care regimen. I use a mixture of oils, fenugreek seeds, ayurvedic herbs, plus msm and vitamin c powder. I add the vitamin c bc it helps the absorption of the msm.
Mix Glover’s Mane with Sulfur 8 to grow your hair. Fucc all that other shyt. #morehair
For the sulphur you can use Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is an organosulfur compound that is penetrates deeply through the scalp and skin. It’s in liquid form and will help to transit the other ingredients in the scalp improving their effectiveness.
Does msm contain silicones or sulfate? New to this and found That’s been a culprit in hair loss and breakage for me
Which product is useful useful for male pattern baldness?
For your male pattern baldness I would recommend UltraFX10 in conjunction to using this formula for your hair oil, changes to your hair shampoo (something all natural or even baking soda) along with changes in your diet recommended above.
Use sulfur 8 mixed with glover’s mane.
I m suffering from extreme hair loss.. do suggest me the best !!!!
The sulfur in the picture is edible sulfur- white in appearance, sold as a vitamin. The sulfur you use for your hair is sublimed sulfur, the yellow powder, and is very dangerous to consume in a large amount and you need to do your best to not breath it in. Do yourself a favor and just get a ready made sulfur oil blend- Here is a link to one from amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711X1MQ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_3LcuzbHSMPYTG Conscious Essence Long hair & health scalp oil blend.
Hey, I would like to know if sulfur 8 could be used as well
warning Sulfur 8 shampoo DOES NOT CONTAIN SULFUR it contains triclosan ! I know the name is really strange.. Although they do have a ointment with unknow % of sulfur (problably only 1-2 % ) and it’s as thick as vaseline..
If you can put up onion juice full of sulfetmixed with lemon juice and coconut oil is a best way of fast hair growth
Keep paste for 1-2 hours on hair before herbal essences shampoo
onion juice, yes, I am not sure about using lemon juice on the scalp, but okay….
It definitely works, but I recommend internal because one can’t discuss sulfur without discussing the smell. Ew!
how can you use sulfur internal
MSM the white powder sulfur you can use internally. It is a vitamin and sold at drug stores, online, etc. The yellow one, sublimed sulfur, is poison to take internally. You can buy it online, and some pharmacies carry it, but not in the isle, you have to specifically ask if they have it in the pharmacy section. It is two different
products!!
yeah it is really work. I did it and felt my hair is thicky and I m happy now .I saw the changement in my hair growth .
plz tell me what did u used??????
Thank you for posting this information I find it to be very helpful. Along with the others who have shared as well thanks a lot.
This is very interesting and great article. I just bought some MSM and will start to take in my drinks as well as add to my DIY mixes.
I like the recipe and I’ve looking for it in weeks. Sulfur has a bad odor but certainly it has several uses. Unfortunately, due to my day jobs, I can only try it during weekend. Anyway thanks for sharing. It’s really valuable for us who hairs are losing day by day.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/jessy.jpg[/img]
my mom use to put Sulfur 8 hair grease on my scalp when i was a kid, it does stink but my hair grew down my back.
I just added a little sulfur powder to my hair oil today. I already used most of the other ingredients listed above but I also used neem oil. The whole thing stinks even with fragrance oil. My hubby asked what smelled like eggs. Lol. Oh I also added a little water for better absorption.
I remember using msm capsules two years ago ad my hair grew like crazy. The thing is I found that it made my hair thicker which is great since my hair is naturally thin.I would recommend it to everybody. Just remember to drink lots of water when taking it so you don’t break out.
How long did you take them before you noticed any results? Do the results last when you stopped taking them?
I never thought to use sulphur for growing my hair, I use ‘Hollywood Beauty’ medicated hairgrease to rid my scalp of dandruff (or whatever the hell those were on my scalp that were nearly the size of a cornflake!). But my mum has some MSM I could try it.
also MSM when taken internally increases absorption of anything else you ingest. so if you drink alcohol or taking medication, it will increase the amount of alcohol/medication in your bloodstream which can have serious side effects.
ugh really? maybe I will reconsider MSM
I heard of some serious affects when taken while drinking I do not recommend at all
Does Sulfur 8 work? I remember my mom using it on me as a child and the smell was horrible.
Sulfur 8 is a old hair growth remedy that truly works, I am proof! Organic coconut oil from walmart works too. Pls try either product for two months and be a witness for yourself. Ps use the sulfur on your sides and rub in gently. (It doesn’t smell great but you will have hair!).
It works, but try something without petroleum. She had some great links in the article. A good one I recommend is Conscious Essence Sulfur Oil. That’s what I’ve used and it grew my hair.
WARNING!!!
Do not ingest/swallow sublimed yellow sulfur.
MSM you CAN safely ingest/swallow.
This should have been stated in the article.
Anyone take sulfur and experience vivid nightmares?
No,but my dreams are more vivid just aren’t nightmares. However, i have heard that this is a side effect that done experience.
Yes! I just started taking this sulfur and last night I had a dream that seemed to be right out of Stephen King horror novel. I’m now starting to wonder if he uses this product as inspiration to write his books.
Lololololol?
as far as INTERNALLY, I eat everything but beef and anything with 4 legs, that is a no-no…maybe a tablet might do the trick, do they have MSM pills?
I think the picture at the top of the article is the tablet form
wow I didn’t know MSM powder was great for hair – I’ve been taking it internally for the past 3 months now..I will give this a try! thanks for sharing
I was taking antibiotics my hair is thinning @the top maybe that is y my hair was thinning so I went to whole foods and bought some prenatal vitamins ,drink more water/ &coconut water coconut is very hydrating I like it the one with guava juice or pineapple ONE coconut zico has 2 much sodium .
I take MSM daily for my fibromyalgia and arthritis, it works better than any prescription medicine I’ve ever taken. Since I’ve been taking it consistently I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my hair, primarily less shedding.
MSM sulfur and sublimed (yellow) sulfur are 2 different chemicals. The products on the list contain one or the other type of sulfur. The article didn’t distinguish between the two.
MSM Soap does wonders for the skin. Will definitely try this supplement
So first they raved about sulfate-free shampoos, now they’re telling us to do sulfate treatments…. cray.
Hi Neldis,
Thanks for your comment. Just to clarify, there is a huge difference between Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) and sulfur. SLS is is a harsh detergent that strips hair of buildup and natural oils, which can lead to breakage. Sulfur is a natural mineral found in the body that aids in essential functions, including hair growth. Hope this helps!
I really needed this laugh. Thanks
Exactly I’m so lost
This formulation of sulfur has no sulfuric smell. The compound that causes odors has purposefully been omitted. My husband would have noticed. I have asked him several times while taking 2000mg capsules. I take 1000mg now as reccommended on the bottle. I bought it at vitacost.
Oh great! Did you really notice a difference in your hair and nails?
@Jessica The crown of my scalp is no longer chronically itchy. My nails are growing and hair seems thicker. Nails seem to still break and side split so I am still missing something else. I take biotinand a multi also. On a side note my mom has side splitting nails. Heredity perhaps.
Sorry Chaunta! I meant a thumbs up… Good to know! I think I might give it a whirl
Ps- those damn side splitting nails! I get those too and it’s like whatever I do I get them… I’m this close to getting tips again after years trying to grow my own without them
I also have side splitting nails, I think it’s just something that happens to people that this is prone to. My nails grow rapidly they just split sometimes. I take the MSM along with a liquid Biosil which is good for the skin, hair, nails, and joints. This has been a great combo for me, along with my multi vit. I really like the old school which does work the Sulphur 8. My mom too used it on my hair when I was a kid and boy oh boy I had waist length hair. Ps check out your eyelashes while using these tips; everybody thinks I have false eyelashes on.
Sounds interesting, but I would be concerned about the smell….