Hair is made up of a protein known as keratin which is produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of the skin. As the follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about six inches a year. The hair that is visible is an actually a string of dead keratin cells. Each follicle on one’s head has its own life cycle which can be influenced by age, disease and a wide variety of other factors.
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Peppermint has been used for a variety of health issues since the dawn of time.
Leading health experts believe the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans used mint thousands of years ago.
Today, peppermint is used as flavouring in foods, fragrances due to its cool aroma, cosmetics and supplements for health conditions including digestive issues and headaches.
Could peppermint oil help with hair loss?
Peppermint oil is the essence of peppermint extracted into an oil.
Some peppermint oils are stronger than others.
The strongest types are made using modern distillation techniques and are known as essential oils.
Peppermint oil is the most common type of peppermint oil available for purchase and can be used for health, beauty and cleaning purposes.
Peppermint contains a compound called menthol.
Menthol is responsible for many of the benefits of peppermint oils and menthol gives peppermint its taste, smell and cooling sensation.
How it helps with hair loss
Peppermint oil has been known to help with itching, dryness or any other scalp problems.
Some of the properties of peppermint oil include being antimicrobial, insecticidal, vasodilating and anti-inflammatory.
Some people have used the oil as a remedy for hair loss.
This may be because the menthol in peppermint essential oil is a vasodilator and this helps to improve blood flow.
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Hair loss is caused by starved blood flow to hair follicles.
Increasing circulation with a vasodilator like peppermint could potentially help to improve hair growth and prevent some hair loss.
In a 2014 study on mice peppermint essential oil showed great promise for hair growth.
Researchers noticed the hair grew faster and thicker and blood flow to undernourished hair follicles increased.
The study opens doors to exploring more of peppermint oil’s benefits for human hair growth.
To gain the benefits of peppermint oil for hair loss, one can either use the essential oil directly on the scalp and massage.
Add a couple drops of oil to a tablespoon of scalp massage oil and rub it in daily.
A tingling, minty sensation occurs which is normal.
Another method would be adding the oil directly into your shampoo or conditioner bottle but be sure not to add too much.
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