Essential Oils For Hair Care
Essential oils for hair can offer alternative and natural treatments for your hair health. There are a number of reasons why you should opt for natural hair care. Most commercial hair products contain harmful ingredients, such as paraffin oil, parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances that may disturb the pH of the scalp and weaken the barrier. Hence, the scalp may be irritated and dandruff, scaling or itchiness may occur. Hair loss can be due to a variety of reasons: whether you are diagnosed with alopecia, a condition where partial or complete hair loss is experienced, or perhaps you have been extremely stressed and this has affected your hair health. Hair health can also be compromised by inflammatory imbalances, dryness, and irritation of the scalp.
This blog-post is your aromatherapy guide to natural hair care. Promote hair shine and growth with essential oils by your side, without risking unwanted side affects that chemical-based products might induce.
Essential Oils for Hair Growth + Shine
1. Rosemary Essential Oil
- Hair thickness
- Hair growth
Rosemary essential oil is great for promoting skin-cell regeneration, which in hand promotes hair thickness and hair growth. In a 2017 study investigating the efficiency of rosemary essential oil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). After 6 months of trial, participants showed a significant increase in hair growth comparing to the start of the trial. Although there were no significant changes in dry hair, greasiness or dandruff, the results are promising for understanding rosemary’s effects on hair growth. To use rosemary for your hair growth: dilute 6 drops in 30ml coconut, jojoba and/or argan oil in a dropper bottle. Massage your scalp with the oil at least twice a week for best results.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
- For dry, oily and damaged hair
- Hair growth
Lavender’s antimicrobial properties make it especially useful for oily hair, which might be more prone to grease. Lavender essential oil’s relaxing aroma is also beneficial for hair loss due to stress. This essential oils for hair, helps in controlling the hair fall. It has the ability to relax the mind and nerves, promote skin-cell regeneration, in return aid in hair growth, especially for those with alopecia areata. In a 2016 study investigating the effects of lavender essential oil on the hair growth of mice, results showed a significant increase in hair growth after 4 weeks of trials, reaching up to 95% – 98.88% hair growth! Although more research is needed to understand the potential of lavender essential oil on humans, these results are really promising for alternative therapies.
3. Cedarwood Essential Oil
- For normal, oily, thinning and dandruff prone hair
- Hair growth
In a study examining the effects of aromatherapy for alopecia areata, lavender, rosemary, thyme and cedarwood essential oil were diluted in jojoba and grapeseed oil and massaged on the scalp daily. The results showed that aromatherapy was indeed a successful and safe treatment for those suffering with hair loss. Cedarwood’s anti-fungal and antibacterial properties also benefit those with oily and dandruff-prone hair.
To use cedarwood for your hair-care: dilute up to 6 drops of essential oil in a carrier oil, either on it’s own, or in combination with rosemary, lavender, or thyme essential oil.
4. Peppermint Essential Oil
- Hair growth
- Dandruff relief
- For oily and dry hair
Peppermint essential oil is another great alternative option for promoting hair growth, hair thickness, follicle number and depth. Peppermint’s antimicrobial properties has it’s uses for oily, greasy, dry and dandruff-prone hair (Sharma, 2017). Its relaxing aroma can calm the mind and relieve hair loss induced by stress.
5. Tea Tree Essential Oil
- For oily, dry, dandruff and irritated scalp/hair
Tea tree’s strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can relieve dry, dandruff-prone hair, while also helping to minimise grease from oily hair-types. Synergise tea tree essential oil with rosemary and lavender essential oil in your DIY hair care products to minimise dandruff, promote hair growth and shine.
6. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
- For inflamed, irritated, itchy and dry scalps
- For hair loss induced by stress
Roman chamomile essential oil exhibits calming, anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects, which may help relieve hair loss induced by stress. Roman chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve skin diseases such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema (Orchard, Ané, and Sandy van Vuuren., 2017). This inflammatory skin diseases may present itself on the scalp, causing itchiness, scaling and drying. Use chamomile essential oils for hair to relieve inflamed and irritated scalp conditions, while also relieving stress and anxiety.
DIY Hair Serum for Daily Use
Ingredients
- 10 ml grapeseed oil
- 10 ml jojoba oil
- 10 ml coconut or argan oil
- 2 drops rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 2 ml vit E
Combine ingredients in a sterilised dropper bottle, label and store in a cool, dark cupboard. Apply the serum daily or weekly, massaging the scalp to promote blood circulation and absorption of oils from the root to the tips of your hair.
