If you struggle with hair loss or know someone who does, you know just how hard it can be. Whether dealing with thinning hair or large bald spots, many people experience frustration and self-esteem issues due to their loss of hair.
Hair loss is more common than you may think. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, young or old, tall or short. The truth is that anyone can experience hair loss, regardless of their age, gender, and stature.
What is hair loss?
Hair loss is commonly referred to as “alopecia.” Alopecia is a blanket term that refers to many different conditions related to hair loss. It can refer to conditions such as hereditary balding (androgenic alopecia) or even alopecia areata, which is when the body’s immune system begins attacking the hair follicles resulting in patchy bald spots.1
Factors that contribute to hair loss
While there are many factors that can contribute to hair loss, some of the most common ones include:
- Age
- Stress and anxiety
- Illness
- Malnourishment
- Hormones
- Medications
- Genes
- Overall health
Not all hair loss is the same
Not everyone experiences hair loss in the same way. Some people may have a gradual thinning of the hair with age. Others may have more drastic hair loss, such as losing it in large clumps. Regardless, it’s important to check with your doctor to learn what is causing your alopecia. This can also help you to find out if your hair loss may stem from a more serious health condition.
Essential oils for hair loss
If you suffer from hair loss, the good news is that there may be some natural ways you can help slow it down and possibly even promote hair growth. Besides maintaining good health by focusing on diet, exercise, and lowering stress, research suggests that some essential oils may be beneficial for hair loss as well.
Below I’ve listed 7 of the best essential oils for hair loss.
1. Rosemary
Rosemary can be beneficial for many issues, including skin and hair care. It has traditionally been used to treat lice, greasy hair, and dandruff, as well as promote hair growth and stimulate the scalp.2
As a regenerating oil, rosemary is useful for maintaining hair health in general. In fact, a 2012 study tested the usefulness of rosemary leaf extract in promoting hair growth, and the results were promising. The study found that the rosemary extract did in fact promote hair regrowth in mice.3
Additionally, another study found that a treatment of rosemary oil led to a significant increase in hair count after 6 months.4 However, it’s important to note that due to its high 1,8-cineole content, you should avoid using rosemary near the face of children or infants.5
2. Lavender
Lavender is widely considered one of the most versatile essential oils, being extremely helpful for numerous issues. It can be useful for most ailments because of its balancing and synergistic properties.6 Therefore, it should come as no surprise that lavender is also considered one of the most beneficial essential oils for treating hair loss as well.
A a very soothing and calming oil, lavender can help with an irritated scalp. It has long been used as a treatment for alopecia and baldness. In fact, a study conducted in 2016 found that lavender oil increased the number of hair follicles and hair follicle depth on mice.7 And since lavender is considered one of the safest essential oils, just about anybody can use it!
3. Peppermint
It may surprise you to find peppermint on this list. Traditionally, peppermint essential oil has been most commonly used for gastric and digestive issues. However, it is a very stimulating oil that can not only perk you up mentally, but also promote hair growth.
According to a 2014 study, mice that had been treated with peppermint oil showed an increase in follicle count, increase in follicle depth, and a thickened dermal layer after 4 weeks.8 However, please note that due to its high menthol content, you should avoid using peppermint near the face of young children or infants.
4. Geranium
Because it is another regenerating essential oil, geranium can be helpful in stimulating hair growth as well. Comprised of mostly citronellol and geraniol, this oil has a high count of monoterpenes, which are considered immune stimulants and general tonics.9 It is also commonly used in skin care due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its abilities to balance out skin types. This also makes geranium beneficial to use when dealing with hair loss due to allergic or irritated skin.
5. Cedarwood
Cedarwood essential oil can also be beneficial when dealing with hair loss. It can be useful for multiple skin and scalp conditions, including itchy scalp, dandruff, oily hair, and hair loss.
In 1998, researchers published a study on patients who suffered from alopecia areata. The researchers treated patients with an essential oil blend of cedarwood, rosemary, lavender, and thyme. The patients used the blend on their scalp every day for 7 months. The results showed that 44% of the patients found improvement with their alopecia after using the essential oil blend.10
6. Clary sage
Another essential oil to consider when dealing with hair loss is clary sage. Not to be confused with common sage, clary sage is a stimulating oil and can be used to both reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.11 Because it is commonly used to regulate hormones and stress, it can be especially beneficial for hair loss that is due to stress or hormonal issues. Please note that you should not use clary sage when drinking alcohol, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if estrogen levels need to be monitored.12
7. Roman chamomile
Gentle and calming, chamomile has been used for numerous issues for decades. While it’s most known for its calming and gastric properties, it is also used to support hair health.
Because of its ability to help with stress and anxiety, chamomile can be useful for hair loss due to anxiety or nervous disorders. It is also very calming to the skin and helpful when dealing with irritated, allergic, or itchy skin and scalp. It may be beneficial in reducing hair loss.13 Chamomile is often used in hair care and is even thought to help lighten hair color. Like lavender, chamomile is considered a safe oil and can be used on most people.
Other essential oils for hair loss
Other oils that can potentially help with hair loss include thyme, lemon, and tea tree oil. Lemon and tea tree are often used due to their cleansing effect on the scalp. Thyme, on the other hand, may help with reducing inflammation in the scalp.
To avoid irritation or potential allergic reactions, make sure to properly dilute essential oils in a carrier oil such as jojoba or fractionated coconut oil. This is especially important for hot and photosensitive oils like lemon.
Essential oil blends for hair loss
It’s important to remember that a little goes a long way with essential oils. Because they are highly concentrated substances, you only need to apply a small amount. If not diluted properly, essential oils can cause irritation and sensitization, so make sure to always dilute them accordingly.
Here are two blends that I’ve created for hair loss. Feel free to use just one blend or both, the choice is yours.
Hair-loss blend #1
- Lavender–12 drops
- Peppermint–4 drops
- Rosemary–4 drops
Hair-loss blend #2
- Geranium–6 drops
- Cedarwood–6 drops
- Chamomile–5 drops
- Clary Sage–3 drops
Thoroughly combine each of the blends and store them in a dropper bottle. Use one or both of them to treat hair loss in one of the following ways…
Shampoo
Add 1-3 drops to your shampoo each time you wash your hair. Gently massage into hair and scalp and rinse as normal.
Scalp oil
Add 1-2 drops of essential oil blend to ½ tsp. jojoba oil and gently massage into scalp. Leave on scalp or shampoo if needed.
Other essential oils for hair loss
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it will certainly get you well on your way to treating your hair loss naturally. Some other essential oils that may be beneficial for hair loss include juniper, ginger, thyme, lemongrass, and tea tree oil.
The key with using essential oils for hair loss is to be consistent and to be patient. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy all the other wonderful benefits you’ll receive when you incorporate essential oils into your daily routine!
About Nicole Stine
Nicole Stine is a certified herbalist who has numerous aromatherapy and natural health certifications. She is passionate about using herbs and essential oils safely and thoroughly enjoys researching and writing about natural health, as well as creating her own formulations.
Sources:
1. “What Is Alopecia?” Meredith Health Group. Health.com.
2. Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism (Shaftesbury, UK: Element, 1999).
3. Murata, K., K. Noguchi, M. Kondo, et al. “Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract.” Phytotherapy Research 27, no. 2 (2012): 212-17.
4. Panahi, Y., M. Taghizadeh, E.T. Marzony, & A. Sahebkar. “Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial.” Skinmed 13, no. 1 (2015): 15-21.
5. Tisserand, Robert, Rodney Young, and Elisabeth M. Williamson. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (London, UK: Churchill Livingstone, 2014).
6. Tisserand, Robert. The Art of Aromatherapy (Saffron Walden, UK: C.W. Daniel, 1991).
7. Lee, B.H., J.S. Lee, & Y.C. Kim. “Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice.” Toxicological Research 32, no. 2 (2016): 103-108.
8. Oh, J.Y., M.A. Park, & Y.C. Kim. “Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs.” Toxicological Research 30, no. 4 (2014): 297-304.
9. Clarke, Sue. Essential Chemistry for Aromatherapy (London, UK: Churchill Livingstone, 2009).
10. Kalish, R. S. “Randomized trial of aromatherapy: Successful treatment for alopecia areata.” Archives of Dermatology 135, no. 5 (1998).
11. Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy (Novato, CA: New World Library, 1991).
12. “Clary Sage Essential Oil.” AromaWeb, LLC. AromaWeb.com.
13. Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy (Novato, CA: New World Library, 1991).
