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Essential Oils for Hair Loss and Alopecia

by Tash 19 Comments

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my affiliate disclosure.

Essential Oils for Hair Loss and Alopecia

Under normal circumstances, human hair goes through a long cycle of growth (the anagen phase), which can last up to 3 years, a static period of 3-4 months (the catagen phase), and then shedding (the telogen phase). When we are living a balanced and healthy lifestyle, this process largely goes unnoticed. However, during times of stress or illness, you may notice a bit more hair in your brush than usual. When this happens, essential oils can be especially helpful for controlling hair loss and alopecia.

If you notice a substantial amount of hair falling out, the first order of business is to see your physician in order to rule out any serious underlying reasons for your hair loss. Once that’s out of the way, you’ll be better equipped with what you need to do in order to stop it.

Common reasons for hair loss include:

• A vitamin or mineral deficiency (most often iron, zinc, B12, or D)
• Allergies
• Amphetamines
• Anticoagulants
• Auto-immune disorders
• Birth control pills
• Chemotherapy
• Eczema
• Emotional stress
• Heredity
• Hormone imbalance
• Menopause
• Over-exercise
• Overuse of hair dye and bleach
• PCOS
• Pituitary deficiency
• Psoriasis
• Ringworm
• Sudden weight loss
• Thyroid conditions
• Tight hair styles that strain the root of the hair

It’s important to narrow down the root cause so that you can ease those symptoms while also treating your hair loss. For me, I know that a few hormone imbalances and stress are to blame for the extra strands found in my shower after washing my hair. To remedy it, I’ve been focusing on getting my hormones back in check and controlling stress while also using scalp and hair follicle nourishing essential oils. Remember, if you fail to treat the root cause of the problem, your hair may continue to thin out. Hair doesn’t just decide one day to start falling out, there is ALWAYS a root cause.

The Best Essential Oils for Hair Loss and Alopecia

Some essential oils boast circulation enhancing effects while others stimulate and nourish the hair follicles. I’ve written a brief outline below of some of my favorite essential oils for strengthening the hair follicles and balancing and stimulating the scalp. Feel free to choose 3-5 essential oils to make your own unique hair nourishing blends. be sure to follow my maximum dilutions guide for safety here.

Some of the best essential oils for hair loss and alopecia include:

• Black pepper – stimulates blood flow and circulation
• Carrot seed – stimulates growth and strengthens roots
• Cedarwood (atlas) – stimulates blood circulation and hair growth (wonderful for alopecia)
• Clary sage – balances scalp oils and conditions hair
• Clove bud – Stimulates blood flow in the scalp
• Cypress– an excellent oil for reversing alopecia. Stimulates healthy circulation to the scalp
• Frankincense – helps prevent hair loss by nourishing hair follicles
• Geranium – helps balance oil production and stimulates hair growth
• German chamomile – controls inflammation in the scalp
• Ginger – stimulates healthy blood flow
• Lavender – stimulates circulation, regenerates the skin, reduces stress
• Lemon – reduces greasy hair and stimulates circulation
• Mastic – stimulates circulation and hair growth
• Palmarosa – combats dermatitis and relieves stress
• Roman chamomile – soothes the scalp and nourishes hair
• Rose otto – stimulates hair growth
• Rosemary – increases cellular metabolism that stimulates hair growth
• Rosewood – one of the best essential oils for hair regrowth
• Sage – helps balance hormones and stimulates the scalp
• Sandalwood – encourages new hair growth
• Spikenard – Increases nourishing circulation
• Thyme linalool – helps prevent hair loss
• Ylang ylang – stimulates the hair follicles

Hair Regrowth Serum Recipe using Essential Oils

I occasionally suffer from hair loss when my stress levels rise and get out of control. Along with working on controlling my reaction to stressful situations, I like to use a hair regrowth serum recipe to help nourish, repair, and stimulate my hair follicles.

Here’s what you need to make it:

• ½oz dropper bottle
• Castor oil
• Argan oil
• 5 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 5 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops sage essential oil
• 5 drops Ylang ylang

Loving Preparation

1. Simply fill the dropper bottle with a 50:50 ratio of castor oil and argan oil and then add each essential oil.
2. Cap closed and roll between your palms to mix thoroughly.

To Use

Massage a few drops of serum into the scalp and allow it to sit for at least 15-20 minutes before washing.

The key is to get the oils to sit on your scalp for as long as possible before washing your hair. I will often apply the oil to my scalp/problem areas at the root and massage it in before my workouts (which can last anywhere from 20-60 minutes). This gives the essential oils enough time to soak into the scalp and get to work.

You can also apply the serum before bedtime and let it sit on the scalp throughout the night. This is the best way to use the serum as it gives plenty of time for the oils to really work their magic on your scalp and hair follicles. The key is to increase healthy circulation in order to stimulate hair growth.

Use the serum once a day for 2-4 weeks and then take a break for a week before resuming. You should see new baby hair coming in within a couple of weeks!

Another popular hair regrowth blend to try is:

• 1/2oz castor oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 4 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops rosemary essential oil
• 4 drops thyme linalool essential oil

Prepare and use as directed above to help stimulate hair growth and prevent future hair loss.

What have been your favorite essential oils for hair loss and alopecia? Please share in the comments below!

You may also enjoy:

Essential Oils for Dry Hair
DIY Dry Shampoo Powder Recipe
DIY Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
DIY Dry Shampoo Spray for Oily Hair

Learn How to Use Essential Oils for Hair Loss and Alopecia

    This post contains affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please read my full disclosure and disclaimer.      
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Filed Under: Beauty, Health Tagged With: alopecia, falling hair, hair loss, thinning hair

About Tash

Tash Penman, Founder of There's an EO For That!, has a background in herbal and essential oil studies at The Herbal Academy and Aromahead Institute. Theresaneoforthat.com is a culmination of her passion and research regarding essential oils and their use for mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Read More…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. EXCLUSIVE! Get 15% Off Rose Absolute Oils at Plant Therapy! Use Code SPOTLIGHT7 and Save!
  2. Bianca says

    June 21, 2019 at 3:57 am

    Hi Tash,
    I have alopecia and I would love to try more natural treatment. Do you have any specific reccomandation?Could I just use one of the two fomulation you suggested?
    I was my hair twice a week, also because I don’t want to over-stress them…so I will apply the oil only two times per week.
    Have you ever had a positive feedback from alopecia affected people?
    Thank you

    Reply
  3. Janelle says

    January 15, 2019 at 7:28 am

    Are the oils safe for dyed hair?

    Reply
    • Tash says

      January 21, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      Hi Janelle!

      I’m not sure! This is supposed to be applied to the scalp only. If the recipe gets on your colored hair, I’m not sure if it would break up the color or not. I’m assuming red would be most susceptible but I can’t say for sure. It’s best to focus on the scalp when using the recipe.

      Reply
  4. Inez Maxine Neal says

    December 16, 2018 at 11:41 am

    One day I will try this. I have 4 inch hair right now and I’m starting on my hair journey.

    Reply
    • Tash says

      December 18, 2018 at 3:34 pm

      Best of luck Inez!

      Reply
  5. Rob says

    July 27, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    You really need to add Tea Tree Oil to your list. I saw results in 2 weeks for my hair lost.

    Reply
  6. Usamah says

    July 21, 2018 at 7:15 am

    Hi there is it good to mix lavender rosemary and pumpkinseed oil for alopecia

    Reply
    • Tash says

      July 25, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      Absolutely 🙂

      Reply
  7. AnneMarie Orr says

    June 30, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Hi just wondering if I use this serum can I leave it in and don’t wash my hair will it harm my scalp? By the way I’m African American and I need for my edges to grow back from Alopecia.

    Reply
    • Tash says

      June 30, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      Hi AnneMarie!

      I have left these serums on my scalp for a good several hours and haven’t experienced any irritation on my scalp. However, I also have oily hair. If you have a dry scalp, I would probably apply the serum about 20-30 minutes before your washing routine. Massaging it into the scalp for 4 minutes while leaning your head forward to encourage blood flow is also a great way to stimulate hair growth!

      If you want to leave the serum in longer, I would recommend doing a spot test on the neck near your hairline to see if any irritation occurs. If the skin feels normal after 20 minutes, you can then see if leaving it on longer has any adverse effect.

      I use this serum a few times per week without any irritation, but I also have to wash my hair daily/every other day due to its oiliness. I know that isn’t necessary for African American hair, so my best advice would be to try the serum right before you need to cleanse your hair. If you’re only using it on the edges though, you may be able to quickly wipe the serum away if it does cause any irritation.

      Reply
  8. Tanya says

    March 25, 2018 at 11:59 am

    Why do you wash the oils out? I do not wash daily. Is it a safety concern?

    Reply
    • Tash says

      March 26, 2018 at 11:45 am

      Hi Tanya!

      I wash them out not only because it makes my scalp and hair extra oily but also because the essential oils will lose their potency over a short period of time. This is why you have to apply them on a daily basis, or at least every few days.

      Reply
  9. Alina Smith says

    February 28, 2018 at 4:10 am

    Nice article its very helpfull thanks for sharing

    Reply
  10. Varun says

    February 20, 2018 at 5:37 pm

    Is it safe to mix Rosemary, Clary Sage, Lavender, Peppermint, Cedarwood and Thyme oils together with Coconut & Castor oil? Purpose is to cut hair loss and enhance hair growth. I believe these oils independently work well, but not sure if they can be mixed. Please help. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Tash says

      February 21, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      Hi Varun!

      Yes, you can mix them! I suggest using just 1-2 drops of thyme essential oil (start with just one drop first) as it is very potent! 🙂

      Reply
  11. paulette lancaster says

    February 9, 2018 at 10:41 am

    I started using oil treatments in my hair about a year ago when my stylist used one on my hair. I love the Somaluxe Argan Oil! It makes my hair super shiny and brings out my highlights and lowlights big time.

    The smell seems to last the whole day through too! Secondly, it contains my frizz in a big way which is nice because I heat style my hair and dye it and it was already frizzy to begin with before I started doing all that stuff.

    Reply
    • Tash says

      February 9, 2018 at 11:49 am

      Hi Paulette!

      That sounds awesome! I’ll have to look into it since I also have to deal with a lot of frizz. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂

      Reply
  12. Camie wallace says

    January 3, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    Is this safe for children going through chemotherapy????

    Reply
    • Tash says

      January 4, 2018 at 10:51 am

      Hi Camie!

      How old is the child?

      Reply

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About Tash

Tash Penman, Founder of There's an EO For That!, has a background in herbal and essential oil studies at The Herbal Academy and Aromahead Institute. theresaneoforthat.com is a culmination of her passion and research regarding essential oils and their use for mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Read More…

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