If your hair is beginning to reflect the stress and strain of 21st-century life and the rigors of contemporary hair care, you might want to treat your hair and scalp to a bit of pampering with essential oils that show promise in repairing such damage. Some evidence even exists that judicious use of essential oils can help you to hold on to your precious locks longer than might otherwise be the case.
Detox Treatment
Even if you regularly take steps to maintain the health of your hair and scalp, environmental factors, including the sun, swimming pool chlorine, salt water and air pollutants can quickly undo some of the positive measures you've taken. Olessa Pindak, writing in the September 2009 issue of "Natural Health," suggests that you periodically detoxify your hair and scalp with a treatment that features small amounts of three essential oils that are readily available in today's marketplace. Combine a tbsp. each of jojoba, castor and coconut oils. Massage the oil mixture into your hair and scalp. Put on a shower cap or wrap your head in a warm, damp towel, and allow the mixture to penetrate your scalp. After this waiting period, thoroughly clean your hair and scalp with a clarifying shampoo to remove all of the residual oil mixture, as well as dirt and dead skin. Jojoba, according to Pindak, moisturizes, protecting both hair and scalp, while the castor oil adds fullness and shine and the coconut oil cleanses.
Combating Hair Loss
Essential oil treatments may not be able to completely reverse baldness, but Valerie Cooksley, director of Houston's Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy, believes they can play an important role in slowing the process of hair loss. In answer to a reader's query about essential oils and hair loss, Cooksley pointed out in the October 2007 issue of "Natural Health" that the oils penetrate multiple layers of skin, down to the area where hair follicles are located, and stimulate blood circulation. She suggests adding five drops each of Atlas cedarwood, lavendar, rosemary and thyme oils to 1 oz. of borage, evening primrose, grapeseed or jojoba oil. Massage this oil treatment into the hair and scalp, allow 20 or so minutes for it to penetrate and then shampoo out. She cites a 1997 Scottish study that showed hair growth in 44 percent of subjects using this scalp remedy, compared with only 15 percent in those using plain oil.
Moisturizing Dry Scalp
If you're experiencing the symptoms of dry, scaly scalp, essential oils can restore normal moisture levels and fight the itchiness that often accompanies dry scalp. Amy O'Connor, writing in the October 1997 issue of "Vegetarian Times," suggests using a few drops of either jojoba oil or essential oil of sage to counter these bothersome problems. To moisturize, warm a few drops in the palms of your hands and then massage them deeply into your hair and scalp. Wrap your head in a warm, damp towel for 10 or more minutes, and then shampoo thoroughly to remove all residue of the oil treatment. To reduce the symptoms of an itchy scalp, O'Connor urges that you massage your scalp with eucalyptus oil, which has a soothing and cooling effect.
References
- "Natural Health"; Weekend Hair Detox; Olessa Pindak; September 2009
- "Natural Health"; Healing Q&A: Ask the Experts; Valerie Cooksley; October 2007
- "Vegetarian Times"; Getting to the Root of Beautiful Hair; Amy O'Connor; October 1997
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