Table of contents:
- Selection of essential oils for hair growth
- How do you use essential oils to grow hair?
- 1. Select the essential oil and solvent oil to be used
- 2. Mix in the essential oil
- 3. Massage the scalp
- 4. Rinse or leave overnight
- First test the oil on the back of the hand, to check for allergies
Hair is the crown of the head. That's why no one wants to have thin, dull hair and fall out easily. If you've tried various ways to grow hair but nothing has worked, why not try using essential oils? Yes! Several types of natural essential oils that are sold in the market can help you get thick and strong hair.
Selection of essential oils for hair growth
There are many essential oils that can be used to thicken hair. Usually, this oil is also used in various hair care products.
Some examples of essential oils you can use include:
- Rosemary oil, helps stimulate the follicles to produce new hair.
- Bergamot oil, promotes hair growth, protects the scalp to keep it healthy, reduces inflammation, and accelerates the healing of wounds on the scalp.
- Jojoba oil, to promote faster hair growth.
- Peppermint oil, enlarges blood vessels under the skin thereby increasing the thickness of the scalp and the number of hair follicles.
- Chamomile oil, lavender oil, sage oil, almond oil, clary oil, and apricot kernel oil are useful for stimulating faster hair growth.
How do you use essential oils to grow hair?
1. Select the essential oil and solvent oil to be used
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First, you choose the right essential oil according to the condition of your hair. You can also combine several types of oil into one. For example, mixing rosemary oil with lavender and clary oil.
Then, choose the solvent oil. The essential oil is very thick. In fact, you actually only need two to three drops for one natural hair treatment. So, essential oils need to be diluted with essential oil before applying to the head.
For those of you who have dry hair, you can choose coconut oil, argan oil, or avocado oil which can moisturize the scalp. For oily hair, dilute the essential oil of your choice with almond oil or milder apricot seed oil. Meanwhile, if your hair is falling out, choose jojoba oil which can prevent hair loss from getting worse.
2. Mix in the essential oil
source: healthline.com
Once you have found an essential oil and solvent oil combination that suits your conditions, it's time to dilute the oil. To do this, add 15 drops of essential oil per one ounce (2 tbsp) of solvent oil in an airtight container. Stir until smooth and runny.
Use plastic gloves before diluting the essential oil to ensure its sterility. Store the final product in a cool, dark place.
Diluting essential oils with solvent oil also aims to reduce the risk of allergic side effects or other skin problems.
3. Massage the scalp
source: ourmassage.com
When using it to grow hair, dip your fingertips in the mixed oil or pour a few drops directly into the palm of your hand. Rub it on your hands and then massage the scalp gently for 2 to 3 minutes. Massage evenly to all parts of the head; starting from the front side, middle, front, and back.
If you find it difficult, there is nothing wrong with asking for help from others to massage and apply oil to your scalp.
4. Rinse or leave overnight
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You can immediately rinse with clean water and shampoo as usual after leaving your hair for 15-20 minutes until the oil is absorbed. However, you can also leave it on overnight for optimal results. That's why the best time to use essential oils on the scalp is at night so as not to interfere with activities.
Moreover, some essential oils such as bergamot oil, lemon, orange, and grapefruit should be used before bed because they make the skin very sensitive to sun exposure.
If you want to leave it overnight, wrap a clean washcloth around your head to prevent the oil from seeping into your pillow. In the morning, rinse clean and continue shampooing as usual.
First test the oil on the back of the hand, to check for allergies
Not all essential oils are safe to apply directly to the body or scalp. The most common side effects of using essential oils are allergic reactions including skin rash, itching, swelling, and redness.
To reduce the risk of this side effect, you need to test it first on the skin of the back of your hand. Just dab a little essential oil on the skin of the hands and wait 1 × 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs. If not, you can start using it on a larger scale.
If a reaction occurs, rinse skin immediately with soap and running water. Stop use. What if the reaction appears to cause you to have difficulty breathing, dizziness, and feel unstable so that you want to pass out, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Reporting from Medical News Today, according to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, sage oil and peppermint oil should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.