8 Essential Oils for Hair Growth
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It seems you can use essential oils for everything these days. Hair loss, breakage, or slow growth—yep, there’s an essential oil for that! Eight of them, in fact. If you seem skeptical at first, don’t worry.
There are reasons backed up by research that show why essential oils can truly help with promoting thicker, healthier, and more hair growth. Yes, there is a natural solution for your thinning hair or balding spots! Let’s get into some of the causes for disrupted hair growth or hair loss and then we’ll dive into the best essential oils that can promote hair growth, plus the best methods for application.
Reasons for Hair Loss or Slow Growth
First let’s look at some of the reasons you may be experiencing hair loss, hair breakage, or just an overall disruption to the growth cycle. If you think any of the following reasons may be behind your hair loss, there is hope—essential oils can help combat these!
Poor Scalp Health
An unhealthy scalp with sensitive skin, irritation, and dandruff can possibly be the cause of your slow hair growth. Luckily, essential oils can help with this! Many of the essential oils we’ll talk about have anti-inflammatory properties and germ-fighting properties to boost scalp health. Healthier skin on your scalp will promote a better environment for your hair follicles to do their job by completing all the stages of healthy hair growth.
Stress
Yes, stress can actually affect your hair growth. This may typically look like more hairs in the brush when you’re getting ready in the morning or more hairs in the shower drain. Be sure to talk to your doctor if your stress levels seem to be affecting your health in other ways.
The good news is, if stress is the cause then your hair loss is not permanent. Once you lower your stress levels (with the help of essential oils) you’ll get back to your natural levels of hair regrowth.
Poor Blood Circulation
Bad blood flow is another cause of hair loss. Essential oils are excellent at bringing circulation and blood flow to the surface, especially the spicier ones like rosemary, menthol, and peppermint. Fear not, help is on the way!
Hair Breakage Due to Dry or Weak Strands
Sometimes the problem isn’t that the hair won’t grow, but that it breaks not long after growing. Dry or overall weak hair can be the cause of your thin hair. If that’s the case for you, we’ll talk about which oils can help coat and strengthen the strands of your hair. Also, try using a variety of ingredients in your hair-care products that are packed with vitamins (like vitamin e) and antioxidants to strengthen and nourish your hair.
Clogged Hair Follicles
Too much oil production of the scalp can lead to oily hair, clog the follicles on your head, and prevent new hairs from getting through. If this sounds like you, you’ll want an oil that helps regulate sebum production.
The Top 8 Essential Oils To Use for Hair Growth
1. Rosemary
Rosemary oil has been shown to be just as effective in improving hair count as the pharmaceutical minoxidil, but with fewer side effects. That is great news for natural remedy seekers who are looking to combat their hair loss!
The spicy and herbal essential oil helps to improve circulation and stimulate thicker, increased hair growth. It’s an excellent choice to add to your hair care routine.
2. Peppermint
One study showed peppermint increased rapid hair growth during the anagen phase, which is the main growing stage of hair production. Similar to rosemary in its spicy herbal aroma, peppermint boosts circulation and brings a pleasant tingling sensation when applied topically. Peppermint makes for a great addition to any hair growth strategy.
3. Lavender
Lavender has many reasons that make it an effective tool in fighting hair loss. Lavender essential oil contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which promote good scalp health, plus it is well known for its stress-relieving effects.
Additionally, research shows evidence that lavender has a significant effect on promoting hair growth, making it an essential oil you definitely want to add to your hair care regimen. Before you go adding drops of lavender oil directly to your scalp, make sure you add the essential oil to two tablespoons of a carrier oil first (like argan oil, castor oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil).
4. Cedarwood
Cedarwood is particularly known for regulating oil levels which can be helpful in unclogging blocked hair follicles on the scalp. Cedarwood is a stronger and more potent essential oil so be sure to always dilute. Remember that less is more when it comes to essential oils!
5. Clary Sage
Clary sage essential oil has properties and benefits very similar to those of lavender. It is also especially good for coating the strands of the hair which will help prevent breakage, an important part to remember with any hair growth approach. Clary sage and lavender mix well together for a powerful hair treatment blend.
6. Thyme
Research shows thyme to be especially beneficial in promoting hair growth in cases of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is a condition where hair doesn't grow in a particular bald spot where it would normally be otherwise.
Thyme essential oil, when massaged into the affected area, is able to increase hair count by stimulating growth. If your hair loss is in patches or spots, thyme essential oil may be a great choice for you!
7. Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang essential oil is especially known for promoting and regulating sebum production. Ylang ylang is helpful if your hair loss is due to dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. If you struggle with clogged follicles from an oily scalp, this option may not be for you. Ylang ylang is ideal for improving a dry scalp that is not producing strong hair.
8. Tea Tree
Last but not least, tea tree oil! Tea tree essential oil is known for being a powerful astringent that can unclog hair follicles and fight bacteria that are living on your scalp, which could be creating an unhealthy environment for hair growth.
Tea tree oil can be very strong, so remember to dilute with a carrier oil and test a spot of your skin before applying to large areas. Tea tree mixes well with other essential oils and you won’t need much since it can be very potent.
Methods To Apply Essential Oils for Hair Growth
Now that you know which eight essential oils are the top choices in promoting hair growth, you can start applying them. Adding essential oils into your shower or bath routine is easier than you think!
Remember, less is more and you should always dilute a pure essential oil if you plan to apply it topically to the skin. Here are a few practical and low-effort methods to start unlocking the natural hair-strengthening benefits of these essential oils.
Add a Few Drops to Carrier Oil and Let It Sit
Depending on the strength of the essential oil you choose and your skin’s sensitivity, you’ll want to dilute it with a carrier oil before applying topically. Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for the hair and makes a good choice to apply with the essential oil to your scalp and hair strands. Let the mixture sit for five or ten minutes depending on the strength of the oil you’re using.
You don’t even need to be in the shower to do this. Try taking a relaxing bath (especially if you’re struggling with stress) and letting your scalp mixture sit while your body soaks. Massage in your oil mixture and then wash the oils out for an easy hair care routine you can start tonight.
Make a DIY Scalp Spray
An easy and practical way to apply your essential oils to the scalp is by making your own DIY spray. All you need is a four-ounce spray bottle, about 10 drops of the essential oils you want to use, a few tablespoons of liquid carrier oil like jojoba or olive oil, and a bit of water to make the mixture sprayable.
You can also add in a few tablespoons of witch hazel for more of a scalp-soothing boost. Apply to the scalp and down the strands to help strengthen and grow your hair!
Mix in With Shampoo or Conditioner
The absolute easiest way you can incorporate essential oils into your hair routine is by adding a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner. It won’t take any time out of your day but you’ll be able to start combatting your hair loss and promoting a stronger, healthier scalp. Remember to let it sit for a few minutes before washing it out so you can soak in all the benefits of the oils.
Final Tips on Using Essential Oils for Stimulating Hair Growth
To conclude, there is hope for you if you have thinning or patchy hair growth. Research backs up the results that you can get by using natural essential oils instead of artificial pharmaceutical products. Try any or all of the above eight essential oils to start looking and feeling better about your hair loss.
Applying them is easy—whether it be as an addition to your shampoo routine or through your own DIY scalp spray. The germ-fighting, scalp-soothing and circulation-promoting benefits of natural essential oils can bring you real results without the need for harsh chemicals.
Sources:
Stress and hair loss: Are they related? | Mayo Clinic
Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs -Toxicological Research | Korea Science
Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice | Toxicology Research
Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata | NCBI