The use of aromatic materials and plants has been recorded since in the ancient Egypt, China, Middle East, India and Greece. An old literature like bible frequently stated the use of aromatic materials and plants in religious practises and traditions.
Aromatherapy for Hair Loss and Thinning Hair
For more than 2,000 years, aromatherapy has been used to improve health and wellbeing including its use to halt hair loss and stimulate hair growth. As an anti-ageing scientist who studied at The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy (ITHMA), London; I am very fond of essential oils. For more than 15 years, I have been developing and perfecting haircare formulas to slow down my own hereditary hair loss.
One of the pioneering studies on the use of essential oils for hair loss and thinning hair (Archives Dermatology, 1998) showed that rosemary, thyme, cedarwood and lavender essential oils promote hair growth. There have been a significant number of studies which showed the efficacy of some essential oils in stopping hair loss and regrowing hair. With the correct use, these essential oils are capable of preventing, slowing down and reversing hair loss in both men and women.
" It took 15 years to perfect the current formula of hair growth serum which I have developed to deal with my own androgenic alopecia."
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The 6 best essential oils to help stop hair loss and regrow hair
1. Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) essential oil
Peppermint essential oil increases the number and depth of hair follicles. Peppermint essential oil contains around 40% menthol, its active component. Due to its efficacy in increasing the cutaneous blood flow, menthol helps bring nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. Studies showed that menthol is capable of increasing the number and the depth of hair follicles, better than minoxidil at an equal concentration.
2. Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) essential oil
Rosemary essential oil reduces dihydrotestosterone in hair follicles. Dihydrotestosterone is believed to trigger androgenetic hair loss and thinning hair in men and women. In some people, dihydrotestosterone causes the hair follicles to shrink gradually over period of time until they can no longer grow hair. Scientific studies showed that rosemary essential oil is capable to reduce the dihydrotestosterone levels in hair follicles and help prevent hair loss and thinning hair.
3. Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) essential oil
Thyme essential oil reduces inflammation in hair follicles. Inflammation is known as one of the major factors in both male and female pattern baldness. Dihydrotestosterone, the hormone which is responsible for most cases of hair loss is also known to trigger inflammation in hair follicles. Studies showed that thyme essential oil can suppress the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme and reduce inflammation. Due to its excellent anti-inflammatory properties, thyme essential oil helps slow down hair loss and promote hair growth.
4. Cedarwood (Cedrus Atlantica) essential oil
Cedarwood essential oil helps regulate oil glands in the scalp. The high presence of dihydrotestosterone in hair follicles is commonly known to cause excess sebum production. Excess sebum production in the scalp can cause imbalances and shorten hair growth cycle. Studies showed that cedarwood essential oil can help regulate sebum secretion in the scalp and promote hair growth.
5. Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata) essential oil
Ylang Ylang essential oil balances scalp. Ylang Ylang essential oil has been used traditionally to support healthy hair growth. Like cedrawood essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil has the ability to balance sebum production. A well-balanced scalp helps optimise hair growth and reduces hair fall.
6. Lemon (Citrus Limonum) essential oil
Lemon essential oil revitalises hair follicles. Excess sebum production in the scalp caused by dihydrotestosterone can trigger the proliferation of bacteria which worsens the hair loss conditions. A study on the antibacterial activity of some essential oils suggested that lemon essential oil has excellent antibacterial properties which can be used to help revitalise hair follicles.
Developed over 15 years to reactivate dormant hair follicles and stimulate growth learn more >>>
The Use of Essential Oils in Hair Loss Formulas
For more than 15 years, I have been developing and perfecting haircare formulas to slow down my own hereditary hair loss. To get the best results, I like to combine essential oils with other hair-growth-boosting ingredients. In Scalp Stimulator, I use the combination of menthol, vitamin E, rosemary, cedarwood, thyme, lavender and lemon essential oils to revitalise the scalp and stimulate hair follicles. In Hair Growth Serum, I use the combination of caffeine, niacinamide, menthol, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood and ylang ylang essential oil to help slow down hair loss and promote hair growth.
Be consistent and persistent. Before hair follicles start growing new hair after hair fall, they rest for about 100 days. On average, hair grows about half an inch per month, therefore, I highly recommend to use Henry Tianus Hair Loss Solution everyday continuously for a minimum of 6 months. I have been using both Scalp Stimulator and Hair Growth Serum daily for years and my hair density continues to improve with time.
" It took more than 10 years to perfect the current formula of Scalp Stimulator which I have developed to restore my hair density."
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Author:
Henry Tianus is a multi-award-winning Anti-Ageing Scientist with 3 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. Join Henry Tianus eNewsletter to receive the latest health and wellbeing tips.
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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) Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial, Skinmed (Dermatology for the Clinician), 2015 Jan-Feb, 13(1): 15-21. (5) Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract. Phytotherapy Research, 2013 Feb, 27(2): 212-7. (6) Randomized trial of aromatherapy, Successful treatment for alopecia areata, Archives of Dermatology, 1998 Nov, 134(11): 1349-52. (7) Effects of Thymol and Carvacrol, Constituents of Thymus vulgaris L. Essential Oil, on the Inflammatory Response, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012: 657026. (8) Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Bioactivities of Cananga Odorata (Ylang-Ylang), Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015: 896314. (9) In vitro antibacterial activity of some plant essential oils, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2006; 6: 39.