Hair loss treatment: The essential oil proven to boost follicles and promote hair growth

HAIR loss can be a devastating occurrence as hair often signifies beauty and vitality to some people. For many, hair loss is a daily burden and worry but thankfully there are treatments to halt this process and could even boost follicles to promote hair growth. What is it?

Hair is made up of a protein called keratin that is produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of skin. As the follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about six inches a year. The hair that one sees is actually a string of dead keratin cells. Each follicle on one’s head has its own life cycle which can be influenced by age, disease and a wide variety of other factors.

Still today doctors are unsure as to why certain hair follicles are programmed to have a shorter growth period than others.

However several factors could be hormones, genes, stress, certain drugs, burns and injuries, having an autoimmune disease, medical conditions or diet.

Regardless of why some people experience more hair loss than others, what is a natural way to help boost the follicles again and promote hair growth?

Peppermint has been used for health purposes for many years and leading health experts believe the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans used the mint thousands of years ago for a variety of health reasons.

Peppermint, in the form of an essential oil, is used in cosmetics and foods for its minty fragrance, tastes, cooling effect and possibly even for hair growth.

Peppermint oil can cause a cold, tingling feeling when it increases circulation to the area its applied to which could be the reason as to why the essential oil can help with hair growth.

How peppermint oil can help with hair growth

Peppermint oil is used in shampoos, cleansers, bath products, make up and lotions. However, the benefits of peppermint oil may go beyond just cosmetics.

Though research is still limited, peppermint oil could hold promise as a hair growth treatment too.

Findings published in Toxicology Research say a peppermint oil solution led to more hair growth than minoxidil, a hair-growth product approved by the FDA.

Sara Panton, co-founder of Vitruvi said: “Peppermint oil help to stimulate your scalp and hair follicles, but it should not be used for those with dry scalp or brittle hair.

“Peppermint oil stimulates blood circulation to the skin, which may help with increasing dermal thickness, follicle number and follicle depth.”

What the study say?

In a study with Korea Science peppermint oil on hair growth on mice was investigated.

The animals were randomised into four groups based on different topical applications with saline, jojoba oil, minoxidil and peppermint oil.

Of the four experimental groups, the peppermint oil group showed the most prominent hair growth effects.

There was a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number and follicle depth.

The study concluded that peppermint oil induces a rapid anlagen stage and could be used for a practical agent for hair growth.