Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth: How to Use It

Peppermint oil for hair growth is something you don’t want to miss out on!

This hair growth oil is the essence of peppermint that is extracted into an oil, hence peppermint oil. Because the product is made using distillation techniques, most peppermint oils are called “essential oils.” However, there are some oils that are not as strong and do not fall into the essential oil category, but that’s a different story.

Other than a pleasant fragrance, why would someone want to use peppermint oil in their hair care routine? The answer is menthol. Peppermint essential oil contains a compound in it called menthol, which is a common remedy for hair loss. Menthol stimulates the hair follicle and produces hair growth.

Why Peppermint Oil?

As mentioned above, the menthol in peppermint oil is commonly used as a treatment for hair loss. Menthol is a vasodilator, which means it improves the blood flow to the scalp. For those who are facing hair loss due to the hair follicle being starved of blood flow, the increase in blood circulation from peppermint oil can improve natural hair growth while preventing additional hair loss.

But people use peppermint oil for hair loss for a variety of reasons; it also has the following properties:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Analgesic
• Anesthetic

Peppermint oil can also relieve itchy scalp!

Best of all, essential oils have been utilized for thousands of years in other parts of the world to boost hair growth. One study found that peppermint oil increased the number of hair follicle, follicle depth, and overall hair growth when used on mice. A study conducted by Toxicological Research suggests that a peppermint oil solution promotes hair growth. In many cases the peppermint oil used performed better than minoxidil, which is a hair growth product approved by United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ready to Give it a Try?

If you’ve been struggling with your hair loss from a lack of blood circulation to your scalp, adding peppermint oils could be the treatment you’ve been looking for.

Find some peppermint essential oil at your local grocery store and add it to a carrier oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. To do this, add a few drops of the peppermint oil to a tablespoon of your carrier oil. Massage this mixture into your scalp and leave it on for five to twenty minutes before washing with your regular shampoo. While the mixture is on your scalp, you might feel a tingling sensation. If the menthol is too intense, wash your scalp immediately with shampoo.

The second option for to add peppermint oil directly to your shampoo. Remember, you do not need a lot of peppermint oil! Peppermint oil is very strong; a little goes a long way. We recommend about five drops for each ounce of shampoo. Just add it to your bottle, give it a good mix, then shampoo your hair as normal.

If you are using a shampoo that already has peppermint oil in it, verify that it is actual essential oil, not just the scent. Peppermint scent added to a hair product will not achieve the same results as the essential oil.

Things to Know Before Using Peppermint Oil

Like with all other essential oils, you should always dilute peppermint oil before using it. Undiluted oil can burn your skin, which is why you need to add it to a carrier oil.

Also, when purchasing your oil, make sure to read the label fully to ensure they are safe for skin contact. There are extracts that are made to be used as a warming oil or diffuser oil, and they are not safe for skin contact. Be sure to only purchase a peppermint oil that is an acceptable grade for skin contact.

Can I Leave Peppermint Oil in My Hair Overnight?

Yes, you can leave peppermint oil in your hair overnight.

We recommend mixing coconut oil with peppermint oil before topical application to your hair. The reason for this is that peppermint oil by itself it extremely strong and can produce aversive effects alone. Typically anywhere in the range of 10-20% peppermint oil and 80-90% coconut oil should be in the safe range. You do not need to apply a lot, just enough to cover your scalp with a light layer.

How Often Should you use Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth?

You should apply peppermint oil once every two to three days. Some people have found that applying it daily works best, but it just depends on your skin‘s sensitivity. There are other oils which you can use along with peppermint oil for the best results. Check out this list of natural alternatives to minoxidil.

Peppermint Oil Shampoo for Hair Loss

Alternatively, you can get the effects of peppermint oil from your shampoo. Not only that, but the shampoo smells incredible, with a slight tingly feeling. We recommend checking out Avalon shampoo, read more about them! (They have a peppermint shampoo!)

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a natural home remedy to boost your hair growth and promote healthy hair, you should give peppermint essential oil a try. Please not that if you have a major hair loss problem, you will not see the results desired from peppermint oil as it isn’t a cure for alopecia or baldness. It can help, but there is no way to say it will solve the issues permanently.

If you are sensitive to the fragrance of peppermint oil, a different option is still available for hair growth. Other similar products, like Vicks VapoRub, that utilize menthol have the same effect on hair growth. So see what works for you and adjust as needed.

While peppermint oil can definitely help with hair loss, if you’re truly interested in combating hair you need to check out our top 3 hair loss recommendations of all time.