Peppermint Oil
Much like harsher ingredients which can help to improve more severe cases of hair loss, studies have shown that peppermint oil has the potential to stimulate growth from the roots, invoking healthier strands without harmful side effects. “[Peppermint oil] stimulates the hair follicles to grow more hair. Its components also act to take hair follicles out of the dormant phase so that hair will grow in thicker,” explains cosmetologist Ghanima Abdullah. While it’s completely natural to lose between 50-100 strands per day, excessive hair loss can be reduced with the application of peppermint oil to the scalp once a day.
In a 2014 study for Toxicological Research, it was found that applying 3% peppermint oil to the scalp was the most effective in promoting hair growth over the course of four weeks in comparison to minoxidil, jojoba butter, and saline. It’s worth noting that minoxidil is one of the most commonly used solutions to hair loss, with peppermint oil also contributing to the improvement of hair thickness and texture, as well as the depth of the follicles from the scalp. “You have to dilute peppermint essential oil before applying it to the scalp,” notes Abdullah. “It's even better if it contains other oils that contribute to hair growth like castor bean oil, pumpkin seed oil and rosemary essential oil.”
While you can’t realistically expect to see results overnight, peppermint oil can effectively improve blood flow to the scalp and, over time, improve the density of your head of hair. “Natural hair growth products take about six weeks to show results, which is a comparable rate to pharmaceutical products. Like chemical products, hair growth oils should be applied daily for the best effect,” adds Abdullah. Not to mention it smells great, so if you’re working on extending the time between hair washes, peppermint oil can also help to freshen up your locks naturally without spraying on heavy products that will merely weigh down your strands and weaken them even further.
Hair loss doesn’t have to be something you struggle with permanently, and incorporating natural solutions such as peppermint oil into your beauty routine to spark growth from the scalp can make all the difference for the strength and condition of your hair.