Being proactive in addressing concerns about thinning tresses over 40 is crucial in maintaining healthy hair. To assist in this matter, we reached out to hair specialists, who have identified three hair and scalp oils that possess nourishing benefits.
These oils not only help protect your locks from thinning and promote growth, but they also minimize the risk of further hair loss.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of MDhair.
2 Natural Hair & Scalp Oils That Promote Healthy Hair Growth
1. Rosemary Oil
According to Abdullah, rosemary oil "works against the hair loss hormone DHT," and "the hairline and crown are common areas of thinning for women with hair loss that's related to age." She advises "adding a few drops of rosemary oil to a 4 ounce bottle of lotion." Lotion works just as well (if not better) than oil for some women with thicker textures because it "absorbs quicker into the skin," she explains.
Abdullah recommends "using this solution twice daily." She stresses not "expecting to see results overnight," as it often takes "at least six months" to see hair regrowth at the crown. "If you're not sure what type of hair loss you have, use more than one essential oil [on its own or in] your lotion," she recommends.
Harth adds that "a healthy scalp environment can lead to improved hair growth and a reduction in hair loss." The best scalp oils or scalp treatment serums would "include DHT blockers that help reduce the effects of DHT on the hair follicles," he notes. (Keep an eye out for this on your product's label!)
2. Peppermint Oil
Another oil that often leads to stronger, thicker and healthier strands is peppermint oil, Abdullah shares. Using this along with rosemary oil can "stimulate the hair follicles, and hydrolyzed protein and collagen can help fortify the hair shaft against damage and breakage," she says.
When it comes to haircare products as a beginner, Harth says that "particularly those designed as scalp treatment serums," can be "beneficial for thin, fine hair." These oils, like many rosemary and peppermint-infused options, are "formulated to promote scalp health, nourish the hair follicles, and stimulate blood circulation in the scalp."
3. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Abdullah also recommends trying a "pumpkin seed oil" for your hair and scalp, as it has been "scientifically proven to grow more hair and aid those who have thinning hair."
She continues: "The best oil for thickening hair is pumpkin seed oil. It puts more hair follicles into the hair growth phase, which means you can see thicker hair near the roots in as little as three weeks."
The Bottom Line
There are "two main types of hair oils," Harth explains. Whether you're noticing hair loss or thinning or just want to prevent this from happening, Harth says that using two different kind of oils in your routine is best.
The first is "applied to the scalp skin and intended to help with scalp health and hair regrowth," he notes. This is called a scalp treatment serum. "The second type of hair oil is applied to the hair strands and is intended to help strengthen the strands and reduce breakage and split ends," he adds.
Both of these types can contain rosemary and peppermint oil as ingredients. Ultimately, Harth suggests that regardless of your choice between oil, lotion, or a combination of the two, it's widely known that nourishing your scalp and dedicating extra attention to hair care can yield remarkable benefits, including combating hair loss and thinning.
