By Choya Randolph
Many of us have used essential oils before. Essential oils are concentrated liquids that come from plants. Because they are concentrated, they have a strong scent. They also evaporate easily, which is why they are widely used in aromatherapy. For those familiar with essential oils, you’ve probably used them to add some essence to their room, but what would happen if we used essential oils on our hair?
There are many types of essential oils, and each oil captures the essence of the plant from which it is derived. Some popular essential oils are lavender oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil. When used on the hair and scalp, these oils can promote hair growth, strengthen our hair, and much more. Before we get into what essential oils can do for our hair, let’s talk about how we can easily and safely incorporate them into our hair care routine.
Every essential oil is different. Some oils protect our hair well and others are great for opening up our hair cuticle to help retain moisture. One thing all essential oils have in common is that they are strong. This is due to its aromatic chemical compounds. In other words, these oils are powerful and should be used with caution. Don’t be clumsy with your essential oils. Even when essential oils are used for their fragrance, they are usually diluted.
To dilute your essential oils, you can add them to your leave-in conditioners, creams, or even your spray bottle. You can give your favorite oil a boost by adding a few drops of an essential oil. When I say a few drops I mean 2-3 drops, especially if you are planning on oiling your scalp. Essential oils should never be used on your hair or skin alone. I know this may sound intimidating, but you can safely experiment with essential oils as long as it is diluted.
But which oils should we use? One of the most popular essential oils is lavender oil. This oil promotes hair growth, nourishes the hair and combats dandruff. For my naturals who love scalp massages, try peppermint oil. It will give you a cooling sensation that is amazing to the touch. That cooling sensation is the oil that increases blood flow to your scalp and promotes hair growth.
Tea tree oil moisturizes the scalp while getting rid of chemicals. It’s a great oil to add to your cowash. Rosemary oil improves cell regeneration, which is why it is a common ingredient in hair growth products. If you want to oil your scalp, try adding rosemary oil to an oil of your choice. Lemongrass oil has antifungal properties that help fight dandruff and itchy scalp. It also strengthens the hair to prevent hair loss. This is another oil that could be added to your cowash.
There are so many essential oils that you can experiment with. Because they should be used sparingly, they can last for years. They also have a long shelf life. So if you have a forgotten bottle of essential oil lying around somewhere, you can probably still use it on your hair. Essential oils can last up to two years. If you have an expired bottle of essential oil they are cheap and can be bought online and in-store. Plus, they make your hair smell amazing. And if you find essential oils aren’t for you, you can give your hair a break and use the oils to diffuse and / or perfume your home.