By Alison Angold CIDESCO ITEC
The short answer to this question is yes – essential oils can certainly help to reduce hair loss and stimulate growth, however this can be dependent on the individual circumstances of the hair loss, or thin hair.
The best essential oils that help to reduce hair loss and potentially stimulate growth are;
- Black pepper
- Clary sage
- Rosemary
- Cedarwood
- Lavender
- Peppermint
These oils are all very warming and stimulating so they have a good chance at increasing strength, length and fullness in the hair, while at the same time improving the condition of the hair and scalp.
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Essential oils to reduce hair loss and stimulate growth
Black Pepper
Black Pepper is a very stimulating, warming oil, so should be used in very small quantities. But its properties are great for promoting hair growth, as it is very warming, thus encouraging circulation to the hair follicles.
(Incompatible with homeopathic treatments)
Clary Sage
Clary sage is a warming oil that will stimulate the circulation in the scalp, thus feeding the hair follicles and encouraging better hair growth.
(Avoid during pregnancy, and do not use before or after alcohol)
Rosemary
Rosemary is found in many hair preparations, as it is known to promote a healthy hair growth. A stimulating and warming oil, it will encourage the circulation to the hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth.
(Avoid during pregnancy, and if suffering with epilepsy or high blood pressure)
Cedarwood
Cedarwood stimulates the circulation so can help bring a fresh blood supply to the hair follicle and encourage hair growth. The woody aroma makes a good addition to hair care products.
(Avoid during pregnancy)
Lavender
A really good all round essential oil that helps to promote cell regrowth, so as essential oils can penetrate the skin – and scalp – this is a useful benefit within the hair follicle to strengthen hair growth.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a really warming, stimulating oil that will not only refresh the scalp and help with issues such as dandruff, but also help to increase circualtion to the area and strengthen the hair and help to reduce hair loss.
(Not compatible with homeopathic medicine)
DIY Hair treatment recipes to reduce hair loss & stimulate hair growth
Hair treatments for hair loss
These hair and scalp treatments contain a carrier oil, a stimulating essential oil and a milder more soothing essential oil. The more soothing oil, still encourages the circulation, and the carrier oil, will nourish the hair and improve its condition.
The blends are all designed to smell good – the main stimulating oils can be quite strong and heady, but paired with the lighter oil, they will smell good too. Prior to washing your hair, take a small amount of the blended oil and massage into the scalp. Ideally leave the treatment on the scalp for a short while before washing off.
The carrier oils can be swapped around as preferred.
- 15ml Argan oil
- 3 drops Black Pepper
- 3 drops Melissa
- 15ml Coconut oil (melted)
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 3 drops Benzoin
- 15ml Argan oil
- 3 drops Clary sage
- 3 drops Lavender
- 15ml Coconut oil (melted)
- 3 drops Peppermint
- 3 drops Lemon
To get a better understanding of how these essential oil works, lets look, briefly at the structure of the hair;
Each hair sits in its own follicle. Each follicle is fed by its own blood supply at the base of the follicle. This supplies the hair with oxygen and nutrients to allow it to grow. It’s a fairly simple process.
Normally, the better the blood supply to the hair follicle, the better the hair growth – both in terms of fullness of the hair and how quickly the hair will grow. However, each person is different. Much like, we are all born with a different skin type, we all are blessed – or not – with a hair type. While we cannot change what we are given, we can improve it – and this is where using oils and essential oils come in.
What we want to to do is stimulate the blood circulation to the scalp, and thus the hair follicles. Stimulating the scalp is a great way to do this, but certain essential oils can do this as well.
Essential oils are the pure oils that are extracted from the flowers and leaves of plants, the peel of fruits and even the bark and resin of trees. The molecules in the oils are so pure and fine that they have the ability to penetrate the skin and scalp. From here, they can be absorbed into the bloodstream, and travel around the body to have the desired effect.
In the case of using essential oils for the hair and scalp, the oils can have an effect on the skin of the scalp and the hair follicles within the scalp, thus promoting a cleaner, healthier, less irritated scalp and the stimulation of the circulation to the hair follicles, which will encourage hair growth and reduce hair loss.
Essential oils to reduce hair loss are known as ‘rubefacient’ oils, which means they warm the area of application and open up the blood vessels. By increasing the circulation, it means we are ‘feeding’ the bottom of the hair follicles, encouraging them to grow faster. This also means that these are some of the best essential oils for the hair & scalp.
Indian Head Massage to reduce hair loss & stimulate Hair Growth
Indian Head massage is an ancient Asian tradition that has been passed down through generations of women (and men). It is the process of using specific massage movements on the scalp and through the hair to stimulate blood circulation which in turn promotes better and healthy hair growth and condition.
In addition the movements help to clear and focus the mind and is thought to improve concentration and memory!
| About the Author Alison Angold is a fully qualified (certified) beauty therapist, massage therapist, and aromatherapist from the UK. She has over 25 years of experience in this industry and has worked in a variety of beauty salons, spa’s as well as running her own successful beauty and massage business. Her career has allowed her to treat many, many clients, with skincare concerns, medical conditions, and a whole variety of other ailments and issues, which has enabled her to work closely with essential oils, prescribing specific blends for these clients to help with these conditions. Her qualifications in the use of essential oils and aromatherapy, allow her to share this knowledge with others, in a safe, reliable way. |