Peppermint essential oil should not be considered a cure for more major hair loss problems, such as baldness or alopecia. The treatment may help, but there's no guarantee it will solve these issues for good. Regardless, there's no harm in trying diluted peppermint essential oil.
There is currently no cure for alopecia areata, although there are some forms of treatment that can be suggested by doctors to help hair re-grow more quickly. The most common form of alopecia areata treatment is the use of corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress the immune system.
Cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary oils have hair growth–promoting properties. These oils have been anecdotally used to treat alopecia for more than 100 years.
Peppermint essential oil
This can help promote hair growth during the anagen (or growing) phase. One study found that peppermint oil, when used on mice, increased the number of follicles, follicle depth, and overall hair growth.
The topical application of peppermint oil has been shown to increase the number and the depth of hair follicles. After 4 weeks, Peppermint Oil improved the hair growth by 92% compared with 55% of Minoxidil. It serves as an indicator for the efficacy of peppermint oil in the treatment of hair loss.
Apply peppermint oil directly to your scalp.
To apply peppermint oil directly, mix one to two drops into a tablespoon of jojoba oil, coconut oil or shea butter oil, then massage the oil into your scalp before washing your hair with shampoo.
Please note: Undiluted peppermint essential oil can be toxic. It can cause burning and tingling on the scalp, and must never be used on its own.
Massage the oil into your scalp. You may feel a tingling, minty sensation. Leave the treatment on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash your hair with shampoo. If the menthol sensation gets too intense for you, add other oils to balance the effect or wash your scalp with shampoo immediately.
One of the most widely used and proven treatments is minoxidil (Rogaine and various generic products). It's available in liquid, foam, or shampoo options. Stronger forms of minoxidil are also available by prescription. Minoxidil may cause side effects like skin irritation or unwanted hair growth on skin near the scalp.
Yes, you can leave peppermint oil on your hair overnight. However, remember to apply it with a carrier oil. Apply the oil mixture to your hair before sleeping and then wash it off in the morning.
Several clinical studies have shown that rosemary essential oil is particularly effective for treating male or female pattern baldness and may even be effective for alopecia.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low. However, more studies are needed to determine the effect of iron and zinc supplementation on AA patients.
There is no cure for alopecia areata. If you have a few, small patches of hair loss on your head, it's likely your hair will grow back within a few months. Your doctor may not prescribe treatment in those cases. For larger areas of hair loss, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections under your scalp.
Ways to Stop Alopecia Areata from Spreading or Worsening
Avoiding unnecessary hair or scalp trauma, reducing stress and analyzing your diet are all worthwhile endeavors when attempting to prevent alopecia areata from spreading.
The only sign of alopecia areata is often sudden hair loss. The patches of hair loss can grow larger. Sometimes, the patches grow larger and become one large bald spot.
A 2019 study also found that people with alopecia who got daily scalp massages reported a boost in hair regrowth. More than 300 people did scalp massages for 11 to 20 minutes a day for almost 6 months. Nearly 70% of participants reported less hair loss or more hair regrowth.
"Massage the oil into your scalp and leave the treatment on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash your hair with shampoo," adds Dr. Zierig. Using peppermint oil during a scalp massage can even help reduce buildup at the hair's root.
Corticosteroid injections are often used in the treatment of alopecia areata, as they work by modulating immune system activity and lowering inflammation. People with alopecia areata develop hair loss when their immune systems attack the body's natural processes.
Hair Type Considerations
"Peppermint oil helps to stimulate your scalp and hair follicles, but it should not be used for those with a dry scalp or brittle hair. It works best if you have oily hair and scalp," says Panton. However, Isfahan says that it's suitable for all hair types.
While there are a few essential oils that can help to stimulate hair growth, Henry said that rosemary oil tends to be a top choice.
You can make a 2 percent concentration by mixing 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil. For a 1 percent concentration, use just 1 drop of peppermint mixed into a teaspoon of oil.
Peppermint essential oil is so potent that undiluted it will cause your skin to tingle or burn.