Peppermint essential oil has gained popularity for its potential benefits in promoting hair growth and improving scalp health. Recent studies have shown promising results for the use of peppermint oil in hair care, although it has been use for various purposes for thousands of years. However, it is important to use the oil safely and correctly. As undiluted peppermint oil can cause skin irritation. In this context, it is important to know how to use peppermint oil for hair loss and what precautions to take to avoid any adverse effects.
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Reason For Using Peppermint Oil On Hair
Some individuals incorporate peppermint oil into their beauty and hair care routine. Various products such as shampoos and skin creams contain this popular fragrance.
Peppermint oil is beneficial for both hair and scalp health. It can provide relief from dryness, itching, and other scalp issues. The oil has antimicrobial, insecticidal, pesticidal, analgesic, anesthetic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Some people use peppermint oil as a remedy for hair loss. The menthol in the oil is a vasodilator, which can improve blood flow. Insufficient blood flow to hair follicles, particularly in male or female pattern baldness, often causes hair loss. Increasing blood flow with peppermint oil may potentially promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Peppermint oil also gives a refreshing scent and tingling sensation on the skin and scalp. You can enjoy these benefits by adding peppermint essential oil to your beauty products.
Is There Scientific Evidence To Support The Use Of Peppermint Oil For Hair Loss?
For thousands of years, people in certain parts of the world have used essential oils to promote hair growth. While the use of peppermint oil to invigorate hair growth is relatively recent. It does not have extensive traditional evidence to support it, nor has it been extensively studied. It has only become widely available to the public in recent decades.
However, a recent study conduct on mice in 2014 showed promising results regarding peppermint essential oil’s potential benefits for hair growth. Researchers observed that hair grew faster and thicker, and blood flow to undernourished hair follicles increased. This study suggests that exploring the benefits of peppermint essential oil for human hair growth could be worthwhile.
Nevertheless, other studies conducted in 2011 and 2013 showed that menthol from peppermint essential oil promotes vasoconstriction rather than vasodilation. However, when a person applies the oil to an inflamed skin or muscle area, such as after exercise, it appears to cause vasoconstriction.
Further research is necessary to gain a better understanding of the effects of peppermint oil on hair growth.
What Are The Ways To Use Peppermint Oil For Treating Hair Loss?
There are several ways to use peppermint oil on your hair to potentially prevent hair loss.
One way is through direct scalp massage. Simply add a few drops of peppermint oil to a tablespoon of your preferred scalp massage oil, such as coconut, jojoba, or shea butter oil. Then, massage the mixture into your scalp. You may experience a minty, tingling sensation. Leave the treatment on for 15-20 minutes and then wash your hair with shampoo. If the menthol sensation becomes too intense, you should add other oils to balance the effect or wash your scalp with shampoo immediately.
Alternatively, you can add peppermint oil directly to your shampoo and conditioner bottles. Be cautious not to add too much, with a recommendation of about five drops per ounce of shampoo or conditioner. Use the shampoo and conditioner as you normally would and enjoy the potential benefits.
It is important to note that products with a peppermint scent alone may not achieve the same results, as they are unlikely to contain peppermint essential oil. Most other products do not contain enough menthol to offer therapeutic benefits. As essential oils are distilled to contain the highest levels of menthol possible.
Important Things To Keep In Mind Before Using Peppermint Oil For Treating Hair Loss
To protect your skin, it’s important to dilute peppermint essential oils with a carrier oil before using them. Using undiluted oils can cause a burning sensation on your skin.
It’s also important to avoid getting essential oils in your eyes, and never consume undiluted essential oils. Keep in mind that essential oils should not be use on infants and children.
When purchasing essential oils, be sure to check the labels to ensure that they are safe for skin contact. Only use essential oils that are labeled for skin contact and are of an acceptable grade. Do not use diffuser oil, warming oil, or extract not made for skin contact on your skin.
Considerations For Hair Type
According to experts, peppermint oil stimulates the scalp and hair follicles, making it ideal for those with oily hair and scalp. However, it is safe for all hair types if used properly and cautiously. Avoid direct application of peppermint oil as it may cause irritation.
If you have allergies or sensitive skin/scalp, perform a patch test before using it. Peppermint oil has to clarify and cleansing properties that help balance the production of sebum, leaving hair nourished and hydrated, without stripping it of natural oils.
Can Applying Peppermint Oil To The Scalp Have Negative Effects?
If you are considering using peppermint oil for hair growth, it’s important to consult your dermatologist first as everyone’s skin reacts differently. A patch test is also recommend to be safe. Apply the product to the underside of your arm twice daily for a week to make sure there are no adverse reactions before using it elsewhere.
Experts advise against using peppermint oil for those with a dry scalp or brittle hair as it may cause irritation. Any signs of flaking, dryness, or itchiness should be evaluated by a dermatologist. All oils have the potential to cause irritation or worsen dandruff, as explained by experts. The yeast that feeds on oil on the scalp may cause dandruff. And adding peppermint oil to your hair-care routine may lead to more oil and yeast growth.
Ways To Use Peppermint Oil For Hair
Various hair care applications of peppermint oil include using it on its own, mixing it with a carrier oil, or adding it to hair care products. One can also dilute a few drops of peppermint oil in a carrier oil and massage it into the scalp to relieve tension headaches. It’s best to dilute peppermint oil in a carrier oil like jojoba or argan oil before applying it to the hair.
For a DIY mask to stimulate blood flow, mix peppermint essential oil with coconut oil, warm it up, and apply it to the hair for 10 to 15 minutes before shampooing and conditioning as usual. Peppermint oil is commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, scalp treatments, and deep treatment masks.
To use peppermint essential oil safely on the scalp, one should keep in mind that the oil is highly concentrated and should not be applied alone. It must be mixed with a carrier oil first, as carrier oils are denser than essential oils and are used to dilute them so that they can be used safely. Cold-pressed vegetable oils like sunflower, sweet almond, grapeseed, or jojoba are all suitable as carrier oils. Jojoba oil is a good choice for people with oily or acne-prone scalps.
Safe concentrations for applying peppermint essential oil to the scalp are only 1 to 2 percent. You can make a 2 percent concentration by mixing 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil, or a 1 percent concentration with just 1 drop of peppermint essential oil mixed into a teaspoon of carrier oil.
Experts are unsure about how peppermint oil affects hair, so there is no solid evidence for the best way to apply it or how long to leave it on. One way to try is to massage it into the scalp in the shower and leave it on for a few minutes before washing it out with shampoo as usual. A cool, tingling sensation may be felt as the oil sits on the scalp, but if it begins to hurt or burn, it should be washed out immediately.
How To Avoid Using Peppermint Oil Incorrectly
To use peppermint oil safely, you need to keep two things in mind. First, avoid applying the oil directly to your skin as it can cause rashes or irritation. Instead, it is recommend to use a carrier oil to dilute it. Second, never consume peppermint oil, as larger doses can be toxic.
Even small doses should be used with caution. Additionally, some people may experience a skin rash or irritation even with properly diluted peppermint oil. If you are unsure about how peppermint oil will affect your scalp, do a patch test before applying it. If you feel any burning or discomfort after applying the oil, wash it off immediately.
What Are The Treatments Available For Hair Loss Presently?
The current treatments for hair loss include oral Finasteride (also known as Proscar and Propecia) and topical Minoxidil (also known as Rogaine). The mechanism of action for Minoxidil is believed to involve increasing blood flow to the follicular dermal papilla cells. Which play a significant role in regulating the hair growth cycle and production or causing local irritation, to stimulate hair growth.
Finasteride and Minoxidil both have negative side effects such as increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, rapid weight gain, edema, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp itching, and scaling. The research on peppermint oil aimed to test its effectiveness in promoting hair growth without any negative side effects.
Summary
Recent studies have shown that peppermint essential oil may help increase blood flow to hair follicles and improve hair growth. Peppermint oil has been used for centuries for various purposes, including promoting hair growth. However, researchers need to conduct more studies to better understand the effects of peppermint oil on hair growth in humans.
To use peppermint oil on the scalp, people can apply it topically through scalp massage or add it to shampoo and conditioner bottles. However, it is crucial to dilute the oil with a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation. Moreover, individuals should not use it on infants and children, avoid contact with their eyes, and not consume it.
Peppermint oil may be a safe and effective home remedy for improving hair growth. While it may not be a cure for more serious hair loss issues, there is no harm in trying it out to see if it works for you.
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