" A study showed that peppermint essential oil increases hair growth by 92% compared with 55% of minoxidil."
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is extracted through steam distillation from the flowering tops and leaves of mentha piperita plant. Native to Europe and Middle East, mentha piperita plant has long been used in traditional herbal medicine and aromatherapy for the treatment of various conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, sunburn and itching.
At a low concentration, peppermint essential oil is very soothing to the skin. However, at a higher concentration, peppermint oil can be very stimulating; it increases the blood circulation in certain parts of the body including in the scalp.
" It took 15 years to perfect the current formula of Anti-Hair Loss Serum which I have developed to deal with my own androgenic alopecia." Henry Tianus learn more >>>
The Active Component of Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil contains around 40% menthol, a phytochemical which is known for its pain relief and cooling effects. Studies showed that topical application of menthol increases cutaneous blood flow. Menthol causes the widening of the blood vessels which increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the applied areas of the body.
Menthol Promotes Hair Growth
In people who suffer from androgenetic hair loss, dihydrotestosterone is believed to have caused the miniaturisation of hair follicles. Dihydrotestosterone reduces the blood flow to hair follicles, so much so that the hair follicles are deprived of nutrients and oxygen. This causes disruption in the hair growth cycle, in which the individual hair becomes thinner and shorter. If left untreated, the hair follicles can become dormant and no longer able to grow hair.
Menthol has vasodilating properties that cause the blood vessels in the scalp to widen and increase blood flow to hair follicles. Topical application of hair solution with menthol helps bring more nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. This helps keep hair follicles healthy and active, and therefore hair grows stronger.
Peppermint Essential Oil Is Better Than Minoxidil In Promoting Hair Growth
A study published in Toxicology Research Journal showed that peppermint essential oil is more effective than minoxidil in promoting hair growth. The topical application of peppermint essential oil has been shown to increase the number and the depth of hair follicles. After 4 weeks, peppermint essential oil improved the hair growth by 92% compared with 55% of minoxidil. It serves as an indicator for the efficacy of peppermint essential oil in the treatment of hair loss.
The study also highlighted that the use of peppermint essential oil to support hair growth is safe. Minoxidil is known to potentially cause some unwanted side effecs. According to National Health Service UK, minoxidil may cause weight gain, increased heart rate, chest pain, breathing problems, dizziness, nausea, increased body and face hair, skin rashes and breast tenderness. The use of peppermint oil in hair growth formulas has been shown to be better and safer than minoxidil.
Menthol as Hair Loss Solution
For best anti-hair loss results, menthol can be combined with other hair growth boosting ingredients, particularly rosemary essential oil and caffeine. Studies showed that these three ingredients reduce the activity of 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, the enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT. DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) causes hair follicle miniaturisation and disrupts hair growth cycle.
It took about 15 years to perfect the Anti-Hair Loss Serum which has been developed to block the activity of 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in the scalp. Formulated with menthol, rosemary essential oil, caffeine, niacinamide, d-panthenol and aloevera, Anti-Hair Loss Serum revives dying hair follicles, stimulates stronger and thicker hair growth. It is suitable for men and women.
Anti-Hair Loss Serum learn more >>>
Author:
Henry Tianus is a multi-award-winning Anti-Ageing Specialist with 2 decades experience in skincare research and product development. Henry Tianus's articles have been read by people in more than 100 countries with USA and UK at the top of the list.
Scientific Sources: (1) Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs, Toxicology Research, 2014 Dec, 30(4): 297–304. (2) Peppermint does soothe IBS, NHS UK, Friday 14 November 2008. (3) Camphor induces cold and warm sensations with increases in skin and muscle blood flow in human, Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2014, 37(12): 1913-8. (4) Topical menthol increases cutaneous blood flow, Microvascular Research, 2016 Sep, 107: 39–45. (5) Minoxidil for hair loss, NHS Gloucestershire Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Reference number GHPI1647_01_24, Department Dermatology, Review due January 2027.