

They are for external use only, and you should never ingest them.Īlways dilute essential oils in a carrier oil. Using ThemĮssential oils are very safe substances if you use them properly. Peppermint is a cross between two other species of mint herbs, namely the water mint and spearmint.Ī 2014 mice study out of South Korea suggests that peppermint oil can induce significant hair regrowth, perhaps even superior to that obtained with 3% minoxidil ( 8). The researchers administered rosemary oil to men with pattern baldness and compared its efficacy against another group of men who were treated with 2% minoxidil ( 7).Īfter 6 months, both groups of men showed a significant increase in hair count, and this increase was the same across both groups. Rosemary OilĪnother essential oil with a long tradition going back millennia, rosemary oil has been used in a variety of conditions including coughs, headaches, sores, infections, and more.Ī 2015 study out of Iran examined its effectiveness against hair loss. It is best to not apply this essential oil on its own, but rather blend it with other oils like rosemary oil and basil. People have used it to promote hair growth for centuries. Users apply it to treat insomnia, as well as to induce relaxation and general well-being. This is perhaps the most popular and widely used essential oil, and with good reason. Here are some of the most widely used essential oils for this purpose: Lavender oil Manufacturers put them in a wide range of consumer goods like soaps, toiletries, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foods, and drinks.Ĭertain essential oils can also promote hair growth. To give you an idea of just how concentrated and rich these oils are, you need about a thousand pounds of dried lavender flowers to produce between five to ten pounds of lavender oil.Įssential oils have various uses. These are oily, concentrated plant extracts that keep the natural smell and flavor of the plants from which they are derived ( 6). For a more chemical-free and less processed option, you can consider the Hairguard Caffeine Shampoo. In recent years an increasing number of men and women with weak hair growth are using topical caffeine. You can now find it in various shampoos and topical solutions.Īlpecin is one of the more well-known mass-produced brands, with a range of caffeine-based shampoos. Meaning that in principle, caffeine might be as effective as a hair loss medication like minoxidil. This small difference was not statistically significant. This compared to 11.68% for the minoxidil group. This is the time during which the hair follicle is actively growing the hair shaft.Īfter 6 months, the percentage of anagen hairs in the caffeine group had increased by 10.59%. The efficacy measure was the increase in the percentage of hairs in the anagen, or growth phase of the hair cycle. Both treatments were done twice daily for 6 months. They randomly received either a 0.2% caffeine topical solution or 5% minoxidil.

The study recruited over 200 balding men. In 2017, researchers compared topical caffeine against minoxidil, a hair loss medication (we discuss minoxidil below) ( 6). A 2010 study found that after 6 months of use, 70% of men who used caffeine shampoo saw improvement in their hair loss symptoms ( 5). In line with this, clinical studies find caffeine to be highly effective in men with hair loss. The hair follicle is also the first structure of the scalp to absorb it, meaning the caffeine is going precisely where you want it. Scientists have found that topical caffeine penetrates the scalp very quickly ( 4). Research suggests that topical caffeine can also be an effective hair growth stimulant ( 3). We typically think of caffeine as the ultimate pick-me-upper. These can sometimes aggravate hair problems by themselves ( 2).Ĭheck out the video below for a practical guide on scalp massages: Research has found that four minutes of scalp massage a day can have a beneficial effect on hair growth by increasing hair shaft diameter ( 1).Īside from their direct effect on stimulating hair growth, scalp massages are helpful in reducing stress and tension.

If you find this tiring or difficult at first do not give up your technique will quickly improve. Feel the scalp loosening and relaxing as you massage. Use your hands and rub in circular motions, first at the side (above the ears), then at the front, then at the back.
Hair stimulator manual#
Scalp massage is the manual manipulation of the scalp using hands or a specialized tool. One way to increase blood circulation is scalp massages.

Conversely, adequate circulation ensures the hair follicles receive all the necessary oxygen and nutrients. Poor circulation can cause problems to the follicles, as with any other organ in our body. Bonus: FDA-Approved Hair Loss TreatmentsĬirculation in the scalp is vital for hair growth.
