Your Guide To Using Peppermint Oil For Hair Growth
Who doesn’t want healthy, luscious looking hair?
After all, having healthy, shiny hair is a sign of youth and vitality.
One thing some people try for longer, shinier hair is peppermint oil for hair growth. The evidence is early, so it helps to know what it can and can’t do.
Peppermint is an all-natural ancient oil that has been used for centuries for many different purposes. Although it didn’t become widely used in Europe until the mid 18th century, it was well-known by the Greeks and in Arabic cultures.
Today it’s popular in scalp products for its cooling, tingling feel.
Let Mother Nature Work Her Magic
More and more people these days are looking for all-natural and organic health products. This has spread to hair care too.
When I went on the hunt for a product to help with my hair, peppermint oil came up more than once. This essential oil is exactly what I look for in a hair care product.
Keep in mind that “natural” doesn’t mean risk-free. Essential oils are concentrated and can irritate skin.
Peppermint oil is one of the most popular natural oils to use on your hair, mostly for the fresh, clean feel it gives your scalp.
If you’re noticing hair loss, see a doctor or dermatologist first. Thinning can have causes such as thyroid problems, iron deficiency or genetics that need a proper diagnosis.
My Top Pick
The best peppermint oil for hair growth and health that I’ve found is Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential Oil.
It comes in a 4.fl. ounce bottle with a little glass dropper syringe. The smell is very fresh and great to use in the morning as it helps wake you up.
The brand describes it as pure peppermint oil with no additives.
Please note this product is very strong on its own. It’ll burn your scalp so make sure you dilute it.
Since it’s so concentrated, you only need a few drops. I love to dilute it with some coconut oil and make a nice hair mask. You can just put it on your hair in the shower and let it soak in.
I use one tablespoon of coconut oil to two drops peppermint oil. Try a small patch of skin first and stop if you get redness, itching or a rash.
How It Works
The main evidence on how peppermint oil aids hair growth comes from a 2014 study in mice. Mice treated with 3% peppermint oil grew hair faster than controls over four weeks.
The study was small and didn’t include people. We don’t yet know whether peppermint oil helps human hair grow.
The researchers saw more and deeper hair follicles in the treated mice. Whether the same happens on a human scalp hasn’t been tested.
For now, think of peppermint oil as a pleasant scalp treatment, not a proven hair-loss remedy.
Peppermint oil isn’t hypoallergenic. According to NCCIH, applying it to the skin can cause rashes and irritation.
Don’t put it on the face of infants or young children, because inhaling the menthol can cause serious side effects. Keep it away from your eyes, too.
To Sum Up
On a finishing note, I just want to mention how important it is to cleanse your scalp well.
Styling products like hairspray build up over time, so a gentle cleanse helps your scalp feel fresh.
If you enjoy the tingle, a well-diluted peppermint oil like Majestic Pure can be a nice part of that routine.
Just don’t expect it to reverse hair loss. If you’re shedding more than usual, a dermatologist can find the cause and suggest treatments that are proven to work.
Sources
- Peppermint Oil: Usefulness and Safety, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)
- Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs, Toxicological Research (PubMed Central)
