Whether you’ve dropped the more conventional hair care products available in the market or you’re just looking into some more natural options, it’s a given that you should definitely take some time looking into essential oils.
For those who know about the many benefits essential oils can have for hair, these natural products already play an integral part in their daily routine. For many years now, there are several essential oils that have been proven to not only smell great, but also offer stronger and greatly improve hair.
Top Essential Oils For Your Hair
It is always important to be careful when using essential oils to be sure you are using them in a safe manner. This will ensure that you do not ingest them (unless of course a healthcare provider suggests that this particular oil is safe to consume). Otherwise, they should be used topically.
Using them in the correct manner will help you to fully realize their benefits for your hair faster. It is always important to adhere to the directions that essential oils need to be diluted in the right ratio using carrier oil. Alternatively, you can select a product that is already diluted and ready to use.
Pure essential oils do not dilute properly in water, hence the need to use carrier oils. It is important to reiterate that it is not proper to apply essential oils straight onto your scalp or hair without properly diluting them first.
Below are some of the best essential oils to use on your hair:
1. Ylang Ylang
Ylang Ylang is a floral essential oil with aphrodisiac properties and an odor that is both strong and distinct. This essential oil can be too overwhelming when used alone, but it combines well with various other essential oils like lemon or lavender. This essential oil has been used by a lot of people for a long time due to its popular hair growth properties, and was used heavily in Victorian England.
Ylang Ylang stimulates hair growth, thereby treating thinning hair and stimulating the production of natural sebum in our scalps. This helps in the nourishment of dry and damaged hair. This essential oil also comes with some aromatherapy benefits by working to relieve stress inside the body.
Stress has been identified as one of the factors that cause hair loss, so Ylang Ylang helps in killing two birds with a single stone. Ylang Ylang is also great for children, especially those who play with others often, as it helps their hair repel lice.
2. Tea Tree
Tea tree is another popular essential oil that is used to soothe damaged skin and promote good scalp health. As tea tree is antifungal, it has been used successfully in dandruff treatment. In a study to prove its effectiveness, a 41% improvement was noted in dandruff severity and symptoms of greasiness and itchiness.
Tea tree was shown to have the ability of slowing down hair loss and increased hair appearance and growth in a study conducted in 2013. Tea tree was capable of all this without the inflammation and itching that the control group suffered from. Tea tree oil, just like ylang ylang, also helps in the treatment of head lice.
3. Lavender
Lavender is another favorite essential oil used for the skin, and it also doubles for great hair care. A study conducted on it proved that it increases the population of hair follicles to give you a thicker head of hair.
Hair follicles in the group using Lavender were found to be deeper, thereby signaling stronger roots that reduced the amount of hair falling out. Another study conducted on Lavender proved that it helps significantly in hair growth without any side effects.
4. Cedarwood
A lot of men love cedarwood essential oil due to its woody and masculine scent. This essential oil offers a great choice for the man who loathes other oils due to their feminine scents.
Cedarwood stimulates hair follicles and increases circulation to your scalp, thereby fighting thinning hair. It is also helpful in combating dandruff symptoms.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil is great for dandruff, as it helps in minimizing scalp flakes and itchiness. It helps in combating dull or dry hair, treating oily hair, and preventing split ends.
A study proved that rosemary essential oil is great against balding when it is used as the continuous treatment for about six months. It is effective in preventing premature baldness and stimulation of hair follicles.
6. Lemon
Lemon is a citrus oil and it helps in simulating circulation in the scalp to help increase hair growth. It also reduces overly greasy hair. It is important to note that this essential oil should not be applied on your scalp before sunbathing due to phototoxicity.
It is best applied at night or at least twelve hours before any exposure to sunlight. You can use a few drops with your shampoo without the fear of phototoxicity.
7. Juniper
Juniper berry has a great fruity scent and can blend well with both cedarwood and lemon essential oils. It is great for oily hair and strengthens brittle hair strands. Its antiseptic properties help in fighting a number of scalp conditions and preventing hair loss.
8. Peppermint
A fresh and invigorating scent of mint comes with this essential oil. A study showed that a blend of jojoba oil base and 3% peppermint essential oil increases hair growth in both length and thickness.
It also deepens hair follicles for much stronger hair. Peppermint oil safely promotes hair growth, but it is not safe to be used on small children.
9. Lemongrass
Lemongrass possesses potent antifungal and antiviral properties that make it useful in treating various scalp issues. A number of hair tonics were compared in a study, and the ones that had a 10% dilution with lemongrass posted the best results. It is also the best in inhibiting dandruff that is caused by yeast.
Applying Essential Oils on Your Hair
A few drops of the essential oils should be added to your conditioner or shampoo and lathered normally. Results will be seen after using the essential oils for six months consecutively.
The essential oils can also be diluted using aloe vera and placed inside a spray bottle to liberally mist the hair without necessarily rinsing it afterwards. Citrus oils should not be used prior to going out in the sun. Follow these tips to nourish hair strength using essential oils!
