Top 5 Essential Oils That Are Perfect for Hair Growth and Loss And How to Use Them

by Sharon Zhitnik August 12, 2020

You may have already looked this up and become overwhelmed by the amount of information there is, or perhaps you got lucky and landed on this page first. I did the research so you wouldn’t have to, so if you’re suffering from any form of hair loss, want to prevent it, or just want thicker and healthier hair, then you’ve come to the right place.

Like many others, I’ve fought with my hair for years. I thought that curls and brown hair didn’t look great, so I damaged it with bleach, dye, and heat. It took me a while, but I finally fell in love with my naturally chocolate-colored curls. But then I had a whole new problem that you might already be familiar with; how do I treat the hair that I already damaged while bringing out the softness that I once had? With all-natural oils, that’s how.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are all-natural products that people have been using for thousands of years. They are hydrophobic (meaning they don’t dissolve in water) concentrated plant extracts with aromatic scents. Used throughout history for their medical and health properties, they are making a comeback as an inexpensive and safe method to help treat all types of mental and physical illnesses.

A few disclaimers...

* Please note that when buying essential oils, make sure they are 100% pure and organic, otherwise you may end up with something in the bottle that you don’t want.

* I always recommend doing a small patch test first. Dilute a drop of the essential oil with a carrier oil and apply a coin size over your inner forearm. Wait 24 hours and see if you have any adverse side effects.

* If you have any side effects at any point, wash out the oils immediately.

* Too much of anything is not good. Overusing any oils may cause oil build-up and may lead to other unwanted issues.

5 Essential Oils For Hair Growth Treatment

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is a great oil to try as it works well for dry and oily scalps. This oil has been used for thousands of years to obtain richer and healthier hair. Many have vowed that it was able to decrease their bald spots and promote overall growth. In 2016, a study found that when applied to mice, lavender essential oil significantly increased hair growth over four weeks. Not only that, but the hair follicles grew deeper and denser, meaning that if your hair is thinning, damaged, or you want more of it, then try out this oil. It doesn’t hurt that lavender is naturally calming so while you wear a mask for your hair, your spirits get lifted, too. This is my favorite to leave-in overnight since the fragrance helps me sleep and I wake up with healthy soft hair, a double win!

2. Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil is rich with antioxidants and works well to protect hair from further damage by forming a protective layer. When massaged through the scalp, it stimulates the blood circulation ensuring that the hair follicles are nourished and grow stronger. In doing so, it creates room for healthy, new hair to grow. This makes it an excellent choice for those with heavy dye jobs, as well as those with dry scalps. A study from 2014 found that bergamot increased effectiveness in white cells, which in result increased immune rates. Basically, this means that there is evidence to show that this essential oil is antimicrobial which would help clean the scalp to allow for healthier and stronger hair to grow.

3. Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood essential oil has natural antiseptic properties that promote a clean healthy scalp. This is a great option for those with eczema as there is evidence that shows it relieves such irritated skin conditions. Additionally, this oil stimulates circulation in the scalp as well as the hair follicles. This boosts hair growth even in patients with various forms of alopecia. A study from 1998 divided people into two groups: one that only used carrier oils and one that used cedarwood, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and in addition to carrier oils. The group that used the essential oils had a 43% success rate with hair growth. While this study used three other oils along with cedarwood, this shows that essential oils are an inexpensive method for improving hair growth. Plus, your hair will smell great!

4. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal so it will properly cleanse anything that could have gotten stuck on the scalp or in the hair follicles. Therefore, this oil will improve new hair growth and is a great choice for people who also struggle with dandruff, itchy, or dry scalp. A study done in 2002 found a statistical significance in reducing dandruff in those that used 5% tea tree oil. If you are wondering what this has to do with damaged hair, the constant itching and scratching that is a result of dandruff damages the follicles and greatly contributes to hair loss. So if you have dandruff, get to the root of the problem (pun intended) by using tea tree essential oil before the problem increases.

5. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil is a great alternative for those that have sensitive skin or suffer from skin and scalp irritation. This essential oil has been found to help with testosterone-related hair loss, such as male pattern baldness. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties cleanse the scalp and help prevent hair loss when used long-term. A study from 2015 compared the effects of rosemary and Minoxidil over 6 month use and found that both had similar increased hair growth however those using rosemary had less of an itchy scalp by the end. Consider using rosemary if you are prone to an itchy scalp and want to increase hair growth.

How To Use Essential Oils

Keep in mind that you really don’t more than a few drops of essential oils. They are highly absorbent, so the best way to use them is to mix a few drops with a teaspoon of a carrier oil. A carrier oil is an oil that is used in slightly larger quantities so it may dilute the more potent essential oils. Examples of carrier oils are coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, etc.

Make A Hair Mask

1. Get all the oils of your choosing ready. Feel free to get creative and mix and match.

2. In a small bowl, mix a few drops of each essential oil with half to one teaspoon ratio of your chosen carrier oil.

3. Finally, rub the mixture through your scalp and through your hair, then wrap it up. Wait about 30 minutes to 1 hour and then wash your hair, or wait overnight and then wash your hair. This process is recommended about once or twice a week and you should begin to notice a difference soon.

Add Them In Shampoo

1. Mix a few drops of your chosen oil in with your shampoo. Use about twice a week for best results.

Carrier Oil Recommendations

Argan Oil

Argan oil contains natural vitamin E which makes it a beautiful moisturizing agent to repair hair damage and maintain a healthy, glossy look. This is an excellent choice for those with dry or damaged hair because it helps lock in moisture.

Avocado Oil

Avocado contains omega 3s and natural vitamin E, making it the perfect oil for hydrating hair. It can also be used to treat irritations such as eczema, dandruff, and psoriasis. This oil has been used by many to help damaged hair and promote hair growth.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is made up of lauric acid which allows it to be easily absorbed into the hair. The oil is also very lightweight so it won’t weigh you down if you choose to style your hair after using this oil. Feel free to rub half a teaspoon of this coconut oil through your scalp before you wash your hair as this may prevent root and cuticle damage that occurs when it interacts with water.

Works Cited

Cosentino, M., Luini, A., Bombelli, R., Corasaniti, M. T., Bagetta, G., and Marino, F. (2014), The Essential Oil of Bergamot Stimulates Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes, Phytother. Res., 28, 1232– 1239. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5121

Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol. 1998;134(11):1349-1352. doi:10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349

Lee, Boo Hyeong et al. “Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice.” Toxicological research vol. 32,2 (2016): 103-8. doi:10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103

Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, Marzony ET, Sahebkar A. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed. 2015;13(1):15-21.

Satchell, Andrew C et al. “Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo.”
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 47,6 (2002): 852-5.
doi:10.1067/mjd.2002.122734