Essential oils for Boosting Hair Growth
I remember those good old days when my mom would sit down every Sunday and give me a nice hair massage with heated oils. This has been the tradition in India since centuries and oils are considered to be one of the best kept secrets for luscious long hair.
There are many essential oils which can help promote hair growth. These oils are often ingredients in a variety of products including speciality shampoos and conditioners.
WHY ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils can not only help in hair growth, but can also help address issues like dandruff, split ends, hair loss, hair thinning.
Essential oils are concentrated essences of plants derived through steam distillation and contains both the aroma and health benefits of the plants they are extracted from. They are extracted from, plant parts like bark, flowers, leaves, rinds, roots and seeds of fruits and plants. They are completely natural and are most of the essential oils are completely safe to use with no side effects.
Instead of relying on expensive hair care products which promise growth with a long list of not so good ingredients, get Rapunzel worthy lengths natural way with these hair growth essential oils.
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HAIR GROWTH
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils for hair growth. It has sweet, floral fragrance. It moisturizes scalp and balances sebum production. Lavender essential oil is also useful in hair regrowth. Regular massage will help reduce hairfall and makes hair soft, shiny and healthy. Lavender oil is also known to provide relief from conditions like dandruff, eczema, psoriasis and acne.
How to use: Lavender essential oil is suitable for all hair types. Mix 3-4 drops of Lavender essential oil with 1 tbsp of coconut oil. Massage in your scalp, let it sit for few hours before washing with a mild shampoo.
Rosemary is one of the best essential oils for promoting hair growth. It has strong, minty herbaceous fragrance. It stimulates scalp and boots blood circulation. Powerful antioxidants of this oil help in improving hair growth. Rosemary oil is known to fight free radicals which are responsible for thinning and greying of hair.
How to use: Mix 3-4 drops of Rosemary Essential oil with 1 tablespoon of Olive oil. Apply on your scalp and hair twice a week for best results.
Cedar wood is another amazing oil that is well known for promoting hair growth. It has a beautiful woody aroma. This oil is well known as hair-tonic and has been used since ages for thinning hair. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and an antifungal properties which helps to fight bacteria build-up on the scalp from conditions like dandruff and eczema, thereby helping in reducing itching and flakiness on the scalp which in turn helps hair to grow normally again. Cedar wood essential oil also has the ability to awaken dormant phase follicles which is a result of unhealthy maintenance of hair due to poor nutrition, excessive heat etc.
How to use: Mix 3 drops of Cedar wood essential oil, 3 drops of Lavender Essential oil with 2 tbsp of Coconut oil. Massage it on your scalp and hair and leave overnight. Wash next day with a mild shampoo.
Fresh, stimulating and uplifting aroma of peppermint essential oil has cooling effect on the skin and helps improve blood circulation. It is known to wake up dormant hair follicles and kickstart hair growth. The menthol content of this oil dilates blood vessels under the skin which stimulates blood flow and this additional blood flow helps promotes hair growth. Peppermint essential oil has cleansing action which can help open clogged pores.
How to use: Since Peppermint oil is an astringent, it works best on oily scalp. People with dry scalp might find this oil little irritating. Mix 3 drops of Peppermint, 3 drops of Tea Tree with 2 tbsp of Coconut oil. massage on your scalp, leave for 30 minutes before washing with mild shampoo.
Clary Sage Essential oil contains linalyl acetate which is effective in boosting hair growth. It is also known to make hair stronger thereby making it less prone to breakage. It is also known to reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone produced by body due to emotional or physical stress, which could also be underlying cause of hair fall.
How to use: Clary sage essential oil is found in a variety of hair products. You can add few drops to your conditioner. When you condition leave it for 5-10mins before you rinse it off.
Ylang Ylang has been traditionally used as a scalp stimulant to encourage hair growth. It relaxes tight scalp muscles which leads to hair fall. Yalng Ylang oil is known to treat both dry and dull hair as it is a natural conditioner and helps stimulate sebaceous glands which keeps hair naturally moisturised. It can help soothe your scalp along with improving the texture of your hair.
How to use: Mix 3-4 drops of Ylang Ylang oil with 1 tsp castor oil and 1 tsp coconut oil and massage in your scalp and hair. Leave for 30 minutes before washing with mild shampoo. If you have greasy scalp, Ylang Ylang may not be the best option.
Other essential oils which are known to promote hair growth are Vetiver Essential oil, Thyme Essential oil, Bergamot Essential oil.
HOW TO USE:
Essential oils cannot be used like regular oils such as coconut oil or olive oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated and potent and therefore should always be diluted in carrier/base oil before applying. Maximum percentage of essential oils should be 3% in the base oil.
- Base oil for fine, thin hair: Sunflower oil, Coconut oil, Grapeseed oil, Almond oil or Jojoba Oil
- Base oil for dry, thick or coarse hair: Avocado oil, Olive Oil, Sesame or Almond Oil
RISK & SIDE EFFECTS
- Essential oils are only for external use and should never be ingested
- Store essential oils out of reach of children and store them apart from other products. Some essential oils can be fatal to pets and therefore always research before using them
- Essential oils must ALWAYS be diluted before applying on skin as they are highly concentrated as can cause irritation. You can dilute them in carrier oil of your choice and the max concentration of essential oils should be 3-4%
- Always do a patch test before applying on larger areas of skin
- It is unclear what effects essential oils have on pregnant and breastfeeding women. While some consider them safe, many doctors advice pregnant women to avoid use of essential oils
- Always buy pure essential oils and stay away from fake counterparts as they wont contain same therapeutic benefits
FEW TIPS AND TRICKS TO GROW HAIR FASTER”
- Increase protein intake
- Do not wash hair with hot water as it makes hair dry and brittle
- Avoid heat styling as much as possible
- Keep a check on your stress levels as stress leads to hair fall
- Do not brush wet hair
- Avoid wrapping wet hair with towel
- Avoid daily use of shampoo
- Condition your hair well after shampoo
- Weekly massage your hair with oils
TAKEAWAY
Massaging oils on scalp helps to stimulate blood flow on the scalp which in turn provides much needed nutrients to hair follicles. Instead of using conventional hair products which might have harmful ingredients in them, its better to switch to essential oils which are natural and just as effective. Essential oils can not only help in hair growth, but can also help make hair shinier, hydrate scalp, treat dandruff and split ends.