Hair is an integral part of our physical selves and often reflects our emotional state. Hair can be thin, lifeless, straight, or unruly — no one wants that.
Aside from being a part of the fundamental presentation of ourselves to the world, hair also impacts how people perceive us. It is difficult to achieve fuller, healthier-looking hair without the time-consuming commitment of vitamins or other supplements or the expense of frequent salon visits. You might want to go “natural.”
If you're looking for ways to address your hair needs and wants, such as texture and thickness — you're in luck. This article has combined knowledge on how to mix essential oils for longer and thicker hair.
The Connection between Essential Oils and Hair
There are many uses for essential oils, including hair care. Essential oils contain compounds that promote thicker, healthier hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Ancient people used essential oils as a natural way to maintain hair health. They can condition, style, and even cleanse the hair. The most common essential oils for hair care are lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oil.
Essential oils have the following benefits for hair:
- Assisting in the prevention of dandruff
- Enhancing the shine and lustre of the hair
- Decreasing frizziness in curly or wavy hair
- Preventing split ends
- And more!
The Natural Hair Growth Cycle
Hair growth is a natural process that happens in the body. It starts with the hair follicle producing new hair. The natural hair growth cycle can be divided into three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Anagen Phase
Growth takes place during the Anagen phase. Hair growth is created by the rapid division of cells in the hair bulb. This phase can last for 2-6 years, when most of your hair will grow, and a hair's growth can range from 18 to 30 inches during this time.
Catagen Phase
The catagen phase is a short transitional period between the anagen and telogen phases. It lasts for two to three weeks on average but may be shorter or longer. The catagen phase begins when the hair follicle shrinks and stops producing new cells. The old cells in the follicle continue to produce keratin, which is eventually broken down into fragments as part of a natural process called exfoliation.
Telogen Phase
In this phase, hair follicles are at a resting state and are not producing any new hairs. This phase usually lasts for two to four months.
In this telogen phase, the hair follicle shrinks to its standard size and is sealed by a layer of keratinized cells called the cuticle. The new hair that emerges from the follicle will be pushed out by the old one, which has been shed during this process.
The hair growth cycle is an integral part of the hair care routine. Knowing the hair growth cycle is essential because it helps us understand the best time to cut our hair. It also helps us understand when we should trim our hair and how often we should do it.
Essential Oils for a Healthy Hair
Essential oils have been used for centuries to promote healthy hair. They are one of the most popular natural remedies for hair loss and thinning.
The top 3 essential oils for hair growth and thickness are as follows:
Lavender
Using lavender essential oil for hair growth is not a new concept. A study found that lavender promotes faster hair growth in mice. Additionally, people have used it for centuries to promote hair growth.
You can use lavender essential oil to promote healthy and thick hair as a natural remedy. It is made from the flowers of the lavender plant, and it contains many natural compounds that are beneficial to the scalp and hair. The lavender essential oil can be applied directly onto the scalp or added to other oils like coconut or jojoba oil to create a DIY hair growth treatment.
Furthermore, it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can improve the scalp's health.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil has been found to help hair growth and thickness in many ways.
It can be used as a natural moisturizer for hair. When applied to the scalp, it can stimulate sebum production, moisturising the scalp and preventing breakage. Aside from antibacterial properties, it can also relieve irritated skin and help fight dandruff-causing bacteria.
Like with Lavender, A study shows that peppermint can also increase hair follicles and overall growth.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil stimulates blood flow to the scalp and follicles, which helps with circulation and promotes healthy hair growth. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, which reduces inflammation on the scalp and, in turn, may reduce the risk of balding.
Study results found that rosemary oil performed just as well as minoxidil, a commonly used hair growth treatment, but had fewer side effects, such as scalp itching.
Essential oils are a great way to nourish your hair, making it stronger and more resilient. And when you use the suitable essential oils for thickness, you can help your hair grow in thicker and fuller.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you will realize there are natural and safer ways to promote hair growth and thickness without resorting to prescription drugs or other risky products. You have learned a few techniques to mix essential oils for hair growth, and you also have a list of essential oils to get you started in your new journey toward healthy, shiny hair.
Essential oils are ideal for adding more volume and bounce to your hair and are less time-consuming than a salon. While there are many essential oil types, the ones you decide on will depend on your hair type.
Let us know which essential oil is your favorite! Learn more on our blog!
