|
Key Insights:
|
The purple flowers of lavender offer more than a lovely scent. Oil extracted from these is a magical ingredient for your tresses. The lavender oil benefits for hair have been valued across epochs and civilisations. Let us get deeper into the beneficial traits of this ingredient for your hair in this informative guide.
|
Did you know?
|
Key Components
Lavender oil has many useful compounds wrapped within its soothing scent. Its potent properties prove particularly beneficial for your tresses.
- Linalool is known to calm and kill microbes
- The antibacterial agent terpinen-4-ol helps in tending to scalp irritations.
- Cineole circulates blood to the dermis, nourishing new hair growth.
- The anti-inflammatory linalyl acetate supports relaxation while reducing redness on the scalp.
Lavender oil Benefits for Hair
Lavender oil possesses a plethora of advantageous properties when utilised topically on hair and scalp.
1. It Helps Promote Hair Growth
A study in 2016 found that applying lavender essential oil to mice made them grow more hair. Their hair also became thicker and grew faster than normal. This suggests that lavender oil may help stimulate hair growth. The oil likely works better when it can absorb into the skin. While more research is needed, especially in humans, these early studies indicate that lavender oil could potentially help with hair loss conditions like pattern baldness or alopecia.
People may want to try carefully applying a small amount of lavender oil to their scalp to see if it helps with hair growth. However, more studies are still needed to demonstrate effectiveness and safety in humans.
Studies have shown that regular massage of lavender oil into the scalp can help enhance circulation, which stimulates follicles and encourages thicker, healthier strands. Those experiencing thinning or slow growth have found success using lavender oil.
2. Lavender oil for Dandruff and Scalp Health
Dryness and irritation often lead to dandruff, which lavender oil effectively remedies. Its moisturising and antifungal properties maintain a balanced scalp environment, reducing flakes and discomfort. Lavender regulates natural oils to prevent issues from both excess and lack of sebum.
3. Lavender oil for Hair Loss Prevention
Losing hair causes distress. Applying lavender oil offers a natural solution. Its circulation-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects fortify follicles against weakness or damage. Lavender also relieves stress, a prime factor in loss. Including it in a regimen aimed at preserving hair proves valuable.
4.It may Help Curb Skin Inflammation
Lavender essential oil is sometimes used as a home remedy to treat skin inflammation and burns. Applying lavender oil to the scalp may help reduce inflammation or dryness. A study in 2012 looked at using lavender oil directly on inflamed or ulcerated skin.
The researchers found that the lavender oil reduced the inflammation and helped speed up healing of the skin injuries. More research is still needed, but these results suggest lavender essential oil may aid in healing scalp inflammation when applied topically as part of a hair care routine.
However, human studies are necessary to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of using lavender oil on the scalp specifically. People may want to try a very small amount on the scalp initially to test for any irritation. But lavender oil shows promise as a natural home remedy for scalp health.
5. Lavender oil for dry and Frizzy Hair
Those with dry, frizzy hair find lavender oil transforms tresses. Its moisturising seal locks in hydration while smoothing the cuticle to calm frizz. Hair feels softer, looks shinier and healthier. Regular applications revive the lustre in lifeless locks.
6. It may Help Prevent or kill Head Lice
According to Trusted Source, a 2011 investigation revealed that lavender essential oil may help prevent head lice. It may even kill head lice.
Another essential oil, tea tree oil, was used in the study to test lavender. Lavender oil may lower the risk of lice, but further research is required. It might work even better if you use tea tree oil with it.
However, you shouldn't use oils alone to treat head lice; they shouldn't be used in place of your doctor's recommended course of therapy.
Ayurvedic Perspective on Lavender oil for Hair
Ayurveda emphasises restoring harmony among Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas for holistic health, including naturally strengthening hair. Lavender essential oil notably balances each dosha, especially benefiting those with aggravated Pitta manifesting as scalp inflammation, thinning locks, or dandruff.
1. Balancing Doshas With Lavender oil
Lavender's soothing yet cooling properties render it remarkably well-suited for calming excess Pitta's influence over metabolism and temperature. Unbalanced Pitta can lead to premature greying, brittle strands, or hair loss. Massaging lavender oil into the scalp soothes irritation while restoring equilibrium and encouraging robust regrowth.
2. Lavender oil With Ayurvedic Herbs
To magnify lavender oil's abilities, experts traditionally blend it with powerful Ayurvedic botanicals, including Bhringraj, Amla, and Neem. These revered herbs, celebrated for restoration, work with lavender to nourish follicles, reinforce roots, and prevent flakes and shedding. For example, mixing lavender with Bhringraj may bolster new growth, whereas combining it with Neem improves scalp health.
Also, do check our rage of best hair oils in India.
How to use Lavender oil for Hair Care
The subtle and sweet scent of lavender oil makes it a popular choice for soothing hair care routines. Check out how you can use it.
1. Lavender oil Scalp Massage
Stimulating circulation with a scalp massage is a simple way to reap lavender's rewards. A few drops blended into a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba are massaged into the scalp with gentle, circular motions for 30 minutes before rinsing. This nourishes follicles and encourages healthy growth.
2. Lavender oil Hair Masks
For a deeper treatment, lavender is a great ingredient in do-it-yourself hair masks. Mix it with yoghurt and honey for added benefits. Keep it for 20 minutes before rinsing to enjoy soft, smooth hair.
3. Lavender oil as a Leave-in Conditioner
As a leave-in conditioner, lavender tames frizz and flyaways. Just a few aromatic drops can help protect your strands all day with natural conditioning properties.
4. Lavender oil in Combination With Other oils for Hair
Rosemary, argan, and castor oils pair exquisitely with lavender's properties, targeting several concerns at once. Rosemary supplements lavender's stimulation, argan its hydration, and castor its thickness. Together, this harmonious blend heals dryness, thinning, and flakes for lush and shiny locks.
Does Lavender oil Have Side Effects?
Avoid putting too much oil on your scalp. Excessive amounts of essential oil might cause skin irritation. When utilising simple oils, always use them with a carrier oil to prevent this.
Stop using the carrier oils immediately if you get dermatitis, hives, or a rash. This could indicate that you have a lavender allergy, which many people have.
Avoid getting simple essential oils in your eyes or consuming them. If you inadvertently get them in your eyes, wash them immediately with cool water. If you take sedatives or depressants that affect the nervous system, use or inhale lavender with caution. These drugs have known interactions that could make you feel more drowsy or sleepy than you are. Other interactions are unknown.
It is completely safe to apply diluted lavender essential oil topically, aside from these precautions.
Conclusion
Both short-term application and consistent use of lavender oil fortify hair from root to tip, reducing breakage while stimulating circulation to the follicles. Those suffering from scalp irritations have also found relief through its anti-inflammatory properties. Whether used alone or combined with a carrier oil suited to one's hair type, just a few drops work wonders to enhance hair's natural shine and strength.
FAQs
1. Is lavender oil safe for all hair types?
While lavender oil is generally gentle enough for most hair types, including thin, coarse, or normal hair, diluting it is wise to prevent potential scalp sensitivities. When blended judiciously with a carrier oil, lavender's benefits can apply to all.
2. How often should I use lavender oil on my hair?
For optimal effects, lavender oil is recommended two to three times per week. Frequent usage risks buildup that may weigh tresses down, so striking a balance is important to enjoy its advantages without excess.
3. Can lavender oil prevent hair loss?
Lavender oil has been shown to enhance blood circulation and diminish inflammation in the scalp, both of which can aid in prohibiting excess hair loss over time. That being said, individual outcomes differ and are subject to the root cause triggering shedding.
4. What should I mix lavender oil with for best results?
It mixes nicely with emollient oils such as coconut or argan. It also blends well with complementary essential oils such as rosemary or tea tree.
5. Does lavender oil help with an itchy scalp?
Yes, its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial attributes help soothe an irritated, itchy scalp.
References:
- Studies have shown that regular massage of lavender oil into the scalp can help enhance circulation, which stimulates follicles and encourages thicker, healthier strands (https://www.academia.edu/)
- Those with dry, frizzy hair find lavender oil transforms tresses. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/)
- Lavender's soothing yet cooling properties render it remarkably well-suited for calming excess Pitta's influence over metabolism and temperature. (https://www.researchgate.net/)
- Both short-term application and consistent use of lavender oil fortify hair from root to tip, reducing breakage while stimulating circulation to the follicles. (http://archive.jibiology.com/)
