Best Essential Oils for Hair Loss
During winter we tend to see lose more hair in the shower than normally. This is mainly due to dry air outside which sucks out all the moisture from the scalp making it dry. Needless to say, as we get older, we often see more hair in the drain and find our locks getting smaller. Whether it is seasonal or hormonal, hair loss can damage our self-esteem. But nature can be the best source of hair growth ingredients as well- in the form of essential oils!
Applying oil to your hair care is a hot topic, ranging from essential oils to deep hair extensions made from coconut oil. But they are not new. For centuries, people have used oils for various therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Nowadays, you can find them in many shampoos, serums, and other hair care products. You can also use them to create treatments for your hair.
How To Use Essential Oils For Your Hair
Essential oils are “essences” of plants extracted from leaves, stems, roots, and other parts of the plant. They are highly concentrated, and you only need a few drops of essential oil to do their magic. You can mix one or more types of essential oils in your shampoo or conditioner. Or add few drops to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like almond oil, coconut oil and apply on your scalp.
Be aware that if you put some essential oils directly on your head, it can cause irritation as they are very concentrated. You should always dilute them with carrier oils before applying, and never use more than the recommended percentage.
If you are allergic to herbs such as ragweed, do a patch test on a small area of your skin or scalp to see if you have a reaction.
Try these combos:
· Cedarwood, clary sage, and lavender
· Jojoba, clary sage, and Cedarwood
· After applying the oil mixture, cover your head with a towel or shower cap.
You can leave it overnight and wash it with shampoo the next morning. Alternatively, you can wash after 30 minutes of application or use it as a leave-in conditioner. See what works best for your hair texture.
Essential Oils and Carrier Oils
Essential oils are extracted from the plant itself. They smell like that plant from which they came. And they are very focused. For example, it takes 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make one pound of lavender oil.
Carrier oils (such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and olive oil) are also derived from plants, but they have a neutral odor. They are not as concentrated as essential oils and can be directly applied on hair and scalp.
Best essential oils for hair growth
There are so many essential oils that a person can use to promote hair health. Check out our list of essential oils that will give you healthy, luscious locks below:
Rosemary oil stimulates the roots, improves hair growth, and increases circulation in the scalp. Rosemary oil has been used to treat hair loss and to prevent premature greying and dandruff. It is anti-inflammatory, and also promotes and nerve growth. When applied to the scalp, it increases blood circulation, stimulates the hair follicles, and promotes the growth of thick, healthy locks. In another study, rosemary oil was shown to be effective in reducing hair loss such as minoxidil, an active ingredient in hair growth products such as Rogaine.
Some studies have found that peppermint oil promotes hair growth more effectively than the chemical applications of saline, jojoba oil, and minoxidil, which are commonly used to treat hair loss. Researchers also found that peppermint essential oil increased scalp thickness and the number of hair follicles. They also suggest that peppermint oil can help promote rapid hair growth in the body. It contains menthol, which causes the blood vessels under the skin to become more dilated. This extra blood flow can help promote continued hair growth.
Lavender oil contains chemicals that work to reduce inflammation and promote cell growth. Another animal study found that the topical use of lavender oil led to a significant increase in the number of hair follicles, deeper hair depth, and thicker shafts. Dilute a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil, and rub your scalp. Bonus points if you do this at night as lavender oil can promote sleep!
Clary sage oil is similar to lavender it contains the same compound, linalyl acetate, which makes lavender more effective for hair growth. This combination makes hair stronger, faster and makes the hair follicles more difficult to break.
Cedarwood Oil is a powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal — all of which make it a great addition to any type of beauty. You may have noticed it as an ingredient in products that claim to grow hair because it fights against the formation of germs on the scalp from conditions such as dandruff and eczema. A slight itching and biting means that your hair follicles remain intact, and the hair can grow back normally too!
Tea tree oil is another major oil that reduces the formation of dead skin cells on the scalp which can cause hair loss and is often used to treat scalp conditions such as dandruff. It is powerfully antibacterial and antimicrobial, and when used topically, can help to remove and rejuvenate hair follicles, increasing hair growth. In fact, some studies have found that applying articles with a mixture of minoxidil and tea tree oil has led to more hair growth than using minoxidil alone! Keep in mind, tea tree oil can be very concentrated, so be sure to dilute it and do a patch test before applying this on your scalp!
Best Carrier oils for hair growth
Pumpkin seed oil is said to prevent both hair loss and promote hair regeneration by controlling inflammation, reducing narrowing of the blood vessels in the scalp, and adding nutrients needed for hair regeneration. It is also believed to inhibit DHT — a hormone responsible for hair loss, especially in women who are menopausal and postmenopausal.
Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of the Zizyphus jujube plant. Jojoba oil moisturizes the hair, adds nutrients, and stimulates the scalp.
It is best to apply these oils before bed so that a person is not immediately exposed to the sun after use.
