Hair loss, itchy scalp or dandruff, for every problem there is an essential oil! In fact, nature offers very powerful remedies, captured directly from the essence of plants, to promote the well-being, beauty and health of your hair. So let's see how to use essential oils to stimulate hair growth, to fight greasy hair, itching and dermatitis. Each essential oil should be used diluted and, if you have never used it before, it is always better, before starting each treatment, to test a small portion of the skin to check if there are any allergies.
Essential oils to promote hair growth
Lavender essential oil has been shown to be a remedy capable of stimulating hair growth. In fact, this essential oil increases the number of hair follicles and their depth and extends the anagen phase, which is the part of the hair life cycle that corresponds to hair growth and development, at the same time it delays the catagen phase, which is the stasis before the fall. The results were shown to be comparable with that of a minoxidil-based medicine, currently approved by the American Food and Drug Administration to combat alopecia (Lee et al, Toxicol Res, 2016). Sandalwood and cedar wood oils have also been shown to stimulate hair growth to counteract alopecia, especially if due to stress (Hay et al, Arch Dermatol, 1998). Finally, among the hair-friendly essential oils, we can also include peppermint essential oil. In fact, this essence promotes hair growth and also has the characteristic of strengthening the hair, making it thicker and improving and protecting the microcirculation (Oh et al, Toxicol Res, 2014). All the essential oils just seen can be added to a tablespoon of a vegetable oil, such as grapeseed or pumpkin seed oil, which, thanks to the presence of vitamin E and phytosterols, counteracts hair loss, no more than two drops per type. Apply the lotion to a damp scalp, making sure it does not come into contact with the eyes. Leave on for ten minutes, then rinse with shampoo.
Essential oils against dandruff
A lotion prepared with 10% lemongrass essential oil, Cymbopogon flexuosus, and applied twice a day after two weeks reduced dandruff by 80% (Chaisripipat et al, Complementary Medicine Research, 2015). Of course, this treatment is perhaps not very practical, especially if you work and are away from home all day. Alternatively, before showering or bathing, you can pour three drops of lemongrass essential oil into a tablespoon of jojoba oil and apply to damp scalp. Leave on for ten minutes, then rinse with shampoo, once a day or when you have a shower.
Essential oils against itching and dermatitis
The essential oil of tea tree has a proven antifungal action, also useful in combating microorganisms such as Pityrosporum ovale, responsible, among other things, for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis that can cause itching and greasy hair (Satchell et al, J Am Acad Dermatol, 2002). So when you wash your hair, you can try adding 2-3 drops of tea tree to your usual shampoo and massage it onto your scalp for a minute. Then rinse normally. Another remedy for irritated scalp is given by the essential oil of bergamot, which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, soothes itching, improves skin elasticity and also stimulates hair growth (Perna et al, Food Sci Nutr, 2019). You can pour two drops of bergamot essential oil into a tablespoon of a vegetable carrier oil, such as jojoba or grapeseed oil, and apply to a moistened scalp. Leave on for ten minutes, then rinse with your shampoo.
