Onion Hair Oil vs Serum for Postpartum Hairfall: A Guide for Indian Moms

TL;DR

• The oil is a pre-wash scalp treatment; the serum is a post-wash leave-on finisher for the lengths and ends

• They work at different routine steps and do not duplicate each other; you can use both

• Postpartum shedding (telogen effluvium) is hormonal and usually self-resolves in 6 to 12 months

• The only clinical trial on topical onion is for alopecia areata, a different condition, so frame these as cosmetic hair care

• The serum is the only vegan product in the Onion range

• See a dermatologist if shedding lasts beyond 6 months or comes with scalp changes

Mylo's Onion Hair Oil and Onion Hair Serum share the onion name but do different jobs at different steps of your routine. The oil is a pre-wash scalp treatment; the serum is a post-wash, leave-on strand finisher for frizz and dryness. They are not interchangeable, and if you are buying only one, the right choice depends on whether your concern is scalp care or strand smoothing. First, one honest point that shapes everything below: postpartum shedding is usually telogen effluvium, a hormonal and self-resolving process, so treat these as supportive hair care, not a cure for hair loss.

Why is postpartum hair fall happening, and can these products fix it?

Postpartum shedding is telogen effluvium: the oestrogen drop after delivery pushes a large share of hairs into the shedding phase at once. It is a physiological response, not a disease, and it typically settles on its own within 6 to 12 months. No topical reverses the hormonal trigger, so the honest way to think about onion hair products is as supportive, cosmetic hair care that can improve how hair looks and feels, not as a treatment that regrows lost hair.

It is worth being precise about the evidence. The only clinical trial on topical onion is Sharquie and Al-Obaidi, 2002, which tested crude onion juice on alopecia areata, an autoimmune patchy hair loss that is different from postpartum telogen effluvium. That result does not transfer to postpartum shedding. Mylo's own position supports this framing: the brand does not claim a specific percentage reduction in hair fall, avoids fear-based language, and does not make clinical claims without a cited study.

What is the difference between the oil and the serum?

The cleanest way to separate them is by format and routine step, not by marketing claims.

The oil is applied to the scalp and worked through before cleansing, then washed out. The serum is applied to damp or dry lengths and ends after washing and left in. That difference in where and when you use them is the real reason to own both rather than substituting one for the other.

What is in the Onion Hair Oil, and what does it do?

The Onion Hair Oil is built around onion seed oil alongside scalp-oriented ingredients the brand lists, including Bhringraj, Amla, and Methi, plus carrier and conditioning oils such as argan and castor in the current formulation. As a pre-wash treatment, its job is to condition the scalp and coat the hair before the mechanical stress of washing.

A few ingredient notes, framed honestly:

• Onion seed oil contains sulphur, which is a component of keratin. That is chemistry, not proof that a topical oil rebuilds hair; treat it as a traditional hair-care ingredient.

• Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) is a classical Ayurvedic hair herb used traditionally for scalp care. Its traditional use is well documented; strong clinical evidence in humans for hair fall is limited.

• Amla is a natural source of vitamin C and a long-standing Indian hair-care ingredient.

• The oil also lists vitamins A and D3. Low vitamin D status has been associated with hair shedding in some research, but a topical oil does not correct a systemic deficiency; that is addressed through diet or supplementation under medical guidance.

The practical value of the oil is as a pre-wash conditioning step, which is also where pre-wash oiling has its best-supported benefit: reducing combing damage to the strand.

What is in the Onion Hair Serum, and what does it do?

The Onion Hair Serum pairs onion with emollient oils such as argan, avocado, and coconut, and is a leave-on finisher for the hair shaft, not a scalp treatment. Its job is cosmetic: smoothing the cuticle, reducing frizz, and protecting the strand from mechanical damage.

• Argan oil is rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids that coat the cuticle, reduce frizz, and add shine.

• Avocado contributes fatty acids and vitamins that condition the hair shaft and improve manageability.

• Coconut oil is the best-studied of the three for the strand: Rele and Mohile, 2003 found it reduces protein loss from the hair fibre better than mineral or sunflower oil because its low molecular weight lets it penetrate the shaft. Note this is a hair-fibre and breakage benefit, distinct from follicle-level hair loss.

The serum is also the only product in the Onion range that carries a vegan label, which matters if a vegan leave-on is a priority for you. Do not apply it to the scalp; its emollient base is formulated for the lengths and ends.

How do I build the full Onion routine?

None of the four products duplicate each other's job. The sequence:

Mylo's bundles follow this logic: the Onion Hair Rejuvenation Kit pairs the oil with the shampoo (the pre-wash and wash steps), while the Growth Revival Kit pairs the shampoo with the conditioner (the wash and hydration steps). The shampoo lists onion seed oil with tetrapeptide and plant keratin, which are cosmetic conditioning agents marketed to smooth and strengthen the strand during the wash step.

This product sits in the postpartum and lactation stage of Mylo's lifecycle, alongside LactoMama for lactation support and MamaGro Protein Diskettes (about 8 g of protein per serving) for the higher protein needs ICMR-NIN 2020 specifies in pregnancy and lactation. Addressing nutrition and the hormonal recovery matters more for shedding than any single topical.

Are these products safe, and what does Mylo exclude?

Both the oil and the serum are topical products, not ingestibles, and Mylo's formulation standards exclude several ingredient classes across the catalogue.

These exclusions apply to both the Onion Hair Oil and the Onion Hair Serum, and to the wider Mylo Care range such as the Vitamin C Face Moisturiser and Vitamin C Body Lotion. If you have a specific ingredient concern while breastfeeding, check with your doctor or lactation consultant before use.

FAQ

Can I use the Onion Hair Oil and Serum together, or do I have to choose one? Use both. The oil is a pre-wash scalp treatment applied before shampooing, and the serum is a post-wash leave-on applied to the lengths and ends. They work at different steps and on different parts of the hair, so there is no duplication. If you can only buy one, choose based on your main concern: the oil for a pre-wash scalp routine, the serum for frizz and dryness on the strands.

Should I apply the Onion Hair Oil before or after shampooing? Before. It is a pre-wash treatment meant to condition the scalp and coat the hair before the mechanical stress of washing, then be rinsed out with the shampoo. The Rejuvenation Kit bundles the oil with the shampoo, which confirms the pre-wash and wash pairing as Mylo's intended sequence.

Is the serum a treatment for hair fall, or only for frizz? The serum is a cosmetic anti-frizz finisher for the hair strands, not a hair fall treatment. Its emollient stack (onion, argan, avocado, coconut) smooths the cuticle and reduces breakage, which is different from addressing shedding at the follicle. If postpartum shedding is your concern, remember that it is usually telogen effluvium that resolves on its own, and the more useful steps are nutrition, time, and a dermatologist if it persists.

What is the difference between a scalp ingredient like Bhringraj and a strand ingredient like argan oil? Bhringraj is a traditional Ayurvedic scalp ingredient used in pre-wash care, while argan oil is a fatty-acid emollient that coats the hair shaft to reduce frizz. One is oriented to the scalp step, the other to the strand-finishing step. Neither is a proven cure for hair fall, so think of them as supporting scalp condition and strand smoothness respectively.

Is the serum vegan? What about the oil? The serum is the only vegan product in the Onion range. The oil, shampoo, and conditioner do not carry a vegan label. If a vegan leave-on hair product is your priority, the serum is the option in this range that qualifies.

Is it safe to use these while breastfeeding? Both are topical hair products, not ingestibles, and Mylo's formulations exclude parabens, sulphates, phthalates, artificial fragrances, and harmful preservatives. These exclusions apply to both. If you have a specific ingredient concern during breastfeeding, consult your doctor or lactation consultant before use.

Disclaimer: This article is a general hair-care guide and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Postpartum hair shedding that is severe, patchy, or lasts beyond 6 months, or that comes with scalp changes, should be assessed by a dermatologist. Topical hair products are cosmetic and do not treat hair loss originating at the follicle.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shruti Tanwar, MBBS, MD (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) on 27 June 2026

Last updated: 30 June 2026

Sources

1. Sharquie KE, Al-Obaidi HK. Onion juice for alopecia areata, J Dermatol 2002 (evidence specific to alopecia areata, not postpartum telogen effluvium).

2. Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage, Journal of Cosmetic Science 2003 (coconut oil reduces protein loss at the strand; a fibre and breakage outcome, not follicle-level hair growth).

3. Mylo Onion Hair range: Onion Hair Oil, Onion Hair Serum, Onion Hair Shampoo, and the Onion category.

4. Mylo postpartum range: LactoMama, MamaGro; Mylo Care Vitamin C Moisturiser and Body Lotion.

5. Mylo formulation exclusions and editorial claim discipline, per Mylo's published standards.