Potassium is good for your hair and scalp because it inhibits the growth of mold or yeast as an alternative to paraben and phthalate preservatives, has been shown to help stimulate hair growth, and helps you grow stronger and thicker hair. These are only a few of the reasons you’ll find it in hair care products.
When combined with other molecules, potassium forms compounds that have different effects including acting as an antimicrobial, surfactant and emulsifier (cleaners and conditioners), and a pH balancer. By itself, Potassium is a vital mineral and electrolyte that can be absorbed by food, supplements, or directly by your hair and scalp in hair care products.
Here’s how it works in hair care products and some of the potential hair benefits from having enough potassium in your diet.
How Potassium Works for Your Hair and Scalp
Popular topical medications for hair growth like minoxidil and Pinacidil work by opening potassium ion channels in your hair. Potassium is an electrolyte, which means it is a small molecule that has a charge (positive in this case).
You have potassium channels throughout your body, including in your heart, brain, and skin (your scalp) where potassium ions can pass through. When potassium goes through these channels it changes the electrical charge of the area helping direct the flow of nutrients toward that area.
In the scalp, the opening of potassium ion channels causes an increase in blood flow and oxygen fueling the production of healthy hair. Hair follicles also have their own blood supply that is influenced by potassium electrolytes.
The change in blood flow caused by an increase in potassium feeds hair follicles the nutrients they need to produce healthier, stronger hair and pushes hair follicles forward through their growth phases. This leaves you with thicker, more resilient hair!
Hair Loss and Hair Growth
Not having enough potassium in your diet can indirectly lead to reversible hair loss. Just opening potassium ion channels does not help if there is no potassium available to pass through the channel! This is why you want to ensure you get enough in your diet.
The NIH recommends the following, and some adjustments if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have kidney issues.
- Teens 14–18 years (boys) - 3,000 mg
- Teens 14–18 years (girls) - 2,300 mg
- Adults 19+ years (men) - 3,400 mg
- Adults 19+ years (women) - 2,600 mg
If you have a deficiency a simple diet modification may help, but talk to your doctor first.
Potassium can be found in hair-healthy foods like spinach, whole-grain pasta, turkey, avocados, and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. You can even make your own hair masks at home by using the other half of the avocado left in your fridge to supply your hair with some potassium boosts!
This is because potassium can bind to your hair follicle and scalp attracting and helping tissue retain water as it plays a key role in maintaining your skin barrier. This can improve scalp conditions like dry and flaky skin, help heal wounds left behind from scratching your scalp, and leave your hair feeling soft and hydrated.
Potassium in Hair Product Ingredient Lists
Hair products like shampoos and conditioners normally pair potassium with something else to form a compound so it can work as a conditioner, a cleaner, and more.
For example, potassium sorbate is a preservative that inhibits the growth of mold or yeast. You’ll find it in products that claim to be paraben and phthalate-free. Parabens and phthalates are common preservatives that can be absorbed through your scalp leading to an imbalance in your hormones and causing eczema on the scalp. Potassium sorbate is the gentler, more ‘natural’ preservative that, for most, is non-irritating to the scalp.
Potassium cetyl phosphate is a surfactant and emulsifier that can be found in your shampoos and conditioners to help clean your scalp and allow your hair strands to slip past each other while you scrub so they don't end up a tangled mess.
Another common compound is potassium hydroxide, a strong base with a pH of 12-13 that is used as the soap component of some shampoos and an emulsifier that helps bind all the ingredients together. Potassium hydroxide can be found in the 4:1 or 3:1 combination soap and haircare products, in case you’re pressed for time in the shower.
Potassium hydroxide is also used as a hair relaxer, as it can help straighten tightly curled hair by breaking disulfide bonds within the hair that hold the strand in a curl and stretching the strand. After using an acid and a neutralizer, the bonds in the hair are reformed, leaving the hair straighter and softer but not as strong and more prone to breakage.
You may not think of potassium as a hair healthy nutrient, but it plays a vital role in how your hair grows, looks, and you’re likely using it on a regular basis without even knowing it.