Who else has excitedly shown a hairdresser a photograph of a celebrity with perfect hair, fully expecting to walk out looking like Jennifer Aniston, but instead your hair is several inches too short, and the layers widen your face instead of accentuating your features, and all you can think about is growing it out as fast as possible?
When you are browsing the cosmetic shelves for shampoos that promise quick hair growth, you may want to turn away from chemically produced hair cleansers and instead, consider essential oils and organic shampoos.
Non-organic shampoos contain sulphate, which unleashes the foam when we lather our hair, manipulating us into thinking our hair is fresh and clean. The founder of Glasshouse Salon declares, “Not only are sulphates irritants, but over time they can dehydrate the hair and scalp. Traditional sulphate-based shampoo's can leave you with a more a “squeaky clean feel” and so you may experience less bubbles and a more “creamy” lather with the products we use.”
Our skin also contains a natural oil called, ‘sebum’. One source claims that over time, dead skin, dust, and washing your hair wears down the natural sebum in our scalp, perpetuating frizzy, static hair, itchiness, dandruff, and hair loss. However, certain essential oils will help to promote hair growth, and a healthy, happy scalp.
Here are some of best essential oils to help promote strong and thick layers of locks:
Peppermint Oil: This popular oil has been used for many different remedies over centuries, but recently scientists are uncovering its ability to protect you from hair loss. However, the menthol in the potent oil promotes blood circulation, which may be the reason for its ability to help grow out your hair.
Lavender Oil: This calming oil contains similar benefits to peppermint oil. It not only initiates hair growth, prevents hair loss, and betters your blood circulation, but the soothing oil also acts as an equilibrium for the generation of sebum. Don’t forget that the right amount of sebum helps to prevent dandruff, hair loss, and frizzy hair!
Ylang-ylang oil: Are you working outdoors or living near the sea? You may want to consider using ylang-ylang oil, which derives from a vibrant yellow flower produced by the Cananga Tree in Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia. This tropical oil helps to protect your hair from the damaging effects often caused by the sun and salted waters.
Bermagot oil: If you or your child has a head wound, this oil is the perfect antidote. Its antimicrobial properties help to promote quick healing of wounds or inflammation, resulting in hair growth and a happy scalp.
One source explains the most efficient way to use essential oils for hair growth. Firstly, it is important to have a carrier oil - avocado oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, argan oil to name a few - as a base. Once you have your base, you can add in two to three drops of the essential oil of your choice per one tablespoon of your carrier oil. Next, you can massage the concoction into your scalp. You can test out the different oils and see which mixture works best for you, keeping in mind that citrus-based oils (like bermagot) may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Essential oils can help to reverse the effects of sulphate-based shampoos, while also relieving your scalp of dandruff, dryness, and staticky hair. The all-natural hair remedies will also benefit your overall wellbeing, for example, lavender oil contains therapeutic properties that help to eliminate stress, and the simple act of smelling peppermint oil will provide you with an increase in energy. More and more articles are revealing the importance of using organic shampoos and conditioners or home-made remedies to boost your hair overall hair health (or to help speed up the hair-growing process after a disappointing haircut!).