Are you one of those people who complain of bad hair day everyday?
Or perhaps, you’re having trouble hiding gray hair strands?
Or even worse, your hair has been falling off?
Indeed, there are plenty of hair problems that you can suffer from.
Taking care of your crowning glory to avoid these problems is not as difficult as some people think.
One efficient way to do this is with the help of natural solutions like lavender oil.
In this article, you’ll learn the following important points:
- The link between your hair and health
- Common hair problems that affect many people
- The beneficial effects of lavender oil for hair
- Simple but practical remedies for hair problems using lavender oil and other natural ingredients
Your Hair and Health
What does healthy hair indicate?
First, it’s a sign that you’re in tip top health [1].
Like most parts of the body, the hair also needs adequate nutrients [1].
The condition of your hair is a tell-tale sign if your body is receiving sufficient nutrition or not [1].
Certain conditions can also leave the body deficient in nutrients [1].
Having poor hair condition may possibly be a sign of an underlying condition such as heart disease, alcoholism, neuromuscular disease and other chronic ailments [1].
Stress, trauma, excessive intake of medications, overload of heavy metals inside the system, and cigarette smoking can also take a toll on your hair health.
Second, healthy hair shows that you’re taking good care of your hair with proper hair care routine and practices [1].
If you’re constantly exposing your hair to strong chemicals or the sun’s harmful UV rays, you expect that your hair will become dull and dry [1].
If you’re not keeping it moisturized the way that it should, split ends and hair damage are likely to occur over time [1].
What are the Common Hair Problems?
1. Gray Hair
This is one of the most common complaints of people:
Gray hair that’s making them look older than they really are.
So here’s what experts have to say about this phenomenon:
The hair strands get its color from melanin, a compound that’s produced by hair follicle’s melanocyte cells [2].
Over the years, these cells become damaged until they are no longer able to manufacture melanin [2].
Another possible cause for the disruption of production of melanin is an accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicles [2].
2. Hair Loss
About a hundred hair strands fall off each day [2].
More can fall off if a person has an illness, or hormonal imbalance [2].
Here are some of the possible causes of hair loss:
- Aging
- Certain medications
- Severe infection
- Thyroid problems
- High stress levels
- Scalp fungal infections
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Chemical exposure
- Trichotillomania (an obsessive condition in which a person pulls off his/her hair) [2]
3. Hair Damage
Hair breakage, split ends, hair dryness, and dull hair are the common consequences of excessive styling and constant exposure of hair to strong chemicals [2].
Chemicals damage the cuticle of the hair, which serves as its protective layer [2].
Not only is it important to avoid excessive exposure to chemicals, it’s also a must to protect the hair from sun exposure [2].
4. Greasy Hair
The sebaceous glands in the scalp produce a natural substance known as sebum [2].
Sebum serves as the lubricant to keep the hair moisturized [2].
It becomes a problem when there’s too much sebum, as this can lead to an overly greasy scalp and hair [2].
Greasy hair is not only difficult to style and manage, it also appears limp and dull [2].
Properties of Lavender Oil
Lavender is a plant that originated in the Mediterranean region [3].
During the ancient times in Egypt, it has been used in embalming corpses [3].
It was also during these years in Persia, Rome and Greece that it was being added to baths and skin solutions [3].
This isn’t a surprise as lavender comes from the Latin word “lavare”, which translate to the phrase, “to wash” [3].
For centuries, the oil extracted from this plant has been utilized not only as an antiseptic but also as treatment for various ailments including insomnia, depression, headache, hair loss, anxiety, stress and bacterial infections [3].
Today, the most popular use of lavender is for inducing relaxation [3].
Aromatherapists include lavender oil as a “holistic relaxant [4].
This oil has been established in scientific research to have antiflatulence, anticolic, carminative and sedative properties [4].
It is also a popular ingredient in many complementary medicinal products and cosmetic products being sold in the market today [4].
How Lavender Oil can Benefit Your Hair?
Below, you’ll find a quick list of the benefits of lavender oil for your hair and scalp:
- Nourishes the hair strands and roots
- Keeps the hair strands and scalp moisturized
- Prevents hair loss
- Boosts blood circulation in the scalp
- Inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other infection-causing microbes
- Helps get rid of dandruff and relieves scalp itching
In a study published in the Archives of Dermatology, 86 patients with hair loss problems were divided into two groups [5].
The first group were given a blend of essential oils, which include lavender oil [5].
These oils were diluted in carrier oils like grapeseed and jojoba, and were applied onto the scalp every day [5].
The second group, meanwhile, were only given carrier oils to apply on their scalps [5].
By the time the treatment was over, it was observed that 44 percent of the patients who used the essential oils improved significantly whereas only 15 percent of the carrier oil users showed improvement [5].
This indicates that essential oils like lavender oil are effective in treating hair loss [5].
Another way lavender oil helps improve hair health is by inducing relaxation.
As mentioned earlier, stress is one of the factors that lead to hair loss and hair damage.
Lavender has been proven in a 2012 study to have positive effects on a person’s emotional well-being [6].
Ways to Use Lavender Oil for Hair
Use these various remedies for improving hair health with lavender oil.
#1. Essential Oil Blend
Combine lavender oil with other essential oils like rosemary and thyme, which are also known to boost hair health.
What You’ll Need:
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 2 drops of rosemary oil
- 2 drops of thyme oil
- 2 drops of cedarwood oil
- 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil
Recommended Directions:
- Combine all the oils in a bowl.
- Mix well.
- Apply mixture on hair strands and scalp.
- Massage gently for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat remedy once a day until hair condition improves.
#2. Add Lavender Oil to Organic Shampoo
Choose an organic shampoo and add lavender oil to it to improve hair strength and reduce problems like dandruff.
What You’ll Need:
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 1 teaspoon of organic shampoo
Recommended Directions:
- Add lavender oil to organic shampoo.
- Wash your hair with this mixture.
- Leave it on for five minutes.
- Rinse it off with cool water.
- Use this every other day for several months.
#3. Use Lavender Oil and Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is also a good way to keep hair moisturized and prevent problems like split ends and dryness.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 4 drops of lavender oil
Recommended Directions:
- Add lavender oil to coconut oil.
- Apply oil blend to hair strands.
- Wrap head with towel.
- Leave it on for one hour.
- Rinse hair with cool water.
- Use this procedure three to four times a week.
#4. Wash Hair with Lavender Oil and Olive Oil
If you’re suffering from dandruff, head lice, dull and dry hair, olive oil can definitely help.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
Recommended Directions:
- Dilute lavender oil in olive oil.
- Apply oil blend in the hair strands and scalp.
- Massage gently for five to ten minutes.
- Wear a shower cap.
- Wait for one hour before rinsing the hair with cool water.
- Repeat procedure three to four times a week until improvement is seen.
#5. Apply Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil and Almond Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-dandruff effects while almond oil can soothe dull and dry hair strands and nourish hair shaft.
What You’ll Need:
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 2 drops of tea tree oil
- 1 tablespoon of almond oil
Recommended Directions:
- In a bowl, combine all the oils.
- Mix well.
- Using a comb, apply oil blend on hair strands.
- Wrap your head with a towel.
- Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Wash it off with cool water.
- Do this process at least three times a week to bring back the shine and luster of your hair, and to get rid of dandruff and split ends.
Bottom Line
Add lavender oil on your hair care routine to bring your hair’s former sheen back.
Some of these also work for other common hair problems like gray hair, dandruff, and hair damage due to overexposure to sun’s UV rays.
You will be glad to know that the ingredients required to use in these recipes can easily be found in your home.
