Using Essential Oils for Hair Growth

I came across this article  on essential oils a few years ago that I have found really helpful while on my hair journey. I have been using essential oils for years in my hair and body care products, which has helped me alleviate a number of hair and skin issues (dandruff, thinning hair, itchy scalp, acne). I enjoy sharing information, so I thought I would dig it up fro my stash and post it here to help my fellow divas out.  I think it is important to point out that the title of this post may be misleading. I do not believe products, natural or otherwise can make hair grow; hair grows regardless of what you are putting on it (unless you are suffering from a particular scalp disorder). Essential oils, however do have the ability to enhance you hair as it growing, which is achieved by stimulating the scalp or by healing the scalp to help it reach its optimal health. By taking care of the scalp and the hair will benefit as well.

It goes without saying that you should always, always use caution when attempting to use any new product, natural or otherwise. Pregnant women need to take even more precaution. For more information about this article and related topics please click the link ("source") below.

The Ananada Apothecary
Therapeutic grade essential oils hold the promise for a great many people of stimulating the growth of bountiful healthy hair. Whether one is regrowing hair after hair loss, preventing the loss of hair, or just looking to make their hair more beautiful and lustrous than ever, essential oils and the carrier oils that comprise therapeutic aromatherapy formulas are very much worth investigating.

To use essential oils to to stimulate hair growth, try one of the following:

1. Use an oil treatment blend: You can easily formulate a custom recipe by following the instructions on this page. This means selecting one or more essential oils and carrier oils, and measuring the essential oils into the carrier. 
2.  Add essential oils to shampoo or conditioner: Many people add a little essential oil to their current hair care products. The upside is that this is very easy to do, the downside is that little of the oil is absorbed by the scalp. They certainly will leave your hair smelling wonderful. The amount of essential oil you add is really up to you.

Each formula  use should the same therapeutic and nutritive base oils, to which the essential oils are added. To make the base formula, mix equal parts of EVCO (gently warm to a liquid), Rosehip Seed Oil, and Evening Primrose oils (or any oil you choose). If making 4 ounces of base, just fill your bottle approximately 1/3rd of the way with each of these oils, then add your essential oils as described below. All these formulas can be massaged into the scalp 3-5 times a week. It can be done before bed with these left in (put a towel on your pillow!) or kept under a warm moist towel for up to an hour then washed out - the towel isn't necessary, it just helps with absorption.

To make a formula more specific to your hair and scalp condition, keep reading to find out more about each essential oil and how they may work for you...

Breakage...Back to Square One?

So my hair was shedding and breaking like crazy when I washed it today despite pre-conditioning prior to washing it. I decided to do a henna treatment and that seems to minimize it pretty well, but not stop it completely. I also noticed my hair was drying out much quicker after my final rinse . I feel like I have taken a huge step backwards and I don't have a clue as to what the hell I've stepped in because it's obviously some serious *ish . Okay not too serious, not life or death it's just hair, but I would be lying if I said I am not totally bummed out about this especially because I have a big event coming up and planned to show off my progress...When I retrace my steps I know what it was that I did to derail my progress, but more than that I have noticed that my hair seems to do a downward dog around the 6 or 7 post week mark. Add those two things together and I am not looking too pretty. I've figured out the severe breakage I am currently experiencing, but I really need to figure out how I can remedy this post relaxer breakage issue going forward because I refuse to relax any sooner than 8 weeks post (I would much prefer 12 weeks, but I know my hair limits)....what am I gonna do?!

ETA (March 14/2010): It has occurred to me that henna is really drying despite its benefits so I will simply need to up the DC with a richer/thicker moisturizing conditioner, because it seems the HR and Aveda Dry Remedy isn't going to cut it as a follow up DC. I realized that even though I don't love the Mizani Hydrafuse it was the only DC that made my hair feel real moisturized and strong after I hennaed when I used it once. Something I will have to think about.

How to Get Sweet Results Using Honey!

On my quest for beautiful hair I have read several regimens that women follow to achieve their own hair goals. Of course they use moisturizing shampoos, great conditioners and leave in, but the one consistent ingredient that I have seen in many "hair kits" is honey. Now I have heard of using honey for many things, mostly to sweeten my tea, but not for hair. I figured it's sticky, messy so whats the point? I didn't want to jump in head first and start drenching my hair with this stuff just because everyone else was doing it, but I also didn't want to dismiss it either. So off I went, over to the computer to do my research. I found a lot of information on the benefits that honey has on hair.  I have included some of this information below, as well as a few recipes (I have yet to try) that may help if you are also suffering from dry hair. As always, I plan to try these out and I will let you know how it goes.

What is Honey?

Honey is made by bees from the nectar of flowering plants and trees. It is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. Honey is also a natural emollient, and it is high in vitamins and minerals, which has wonderful benefits for the hair. This makes honey a natural fit in a variety of moisturizing products including shampoos and conditioners. It also said to be beneficial for treating itchy scalp and hair loss. Caution: Honey has the ability to lighten the hair overtime.

How to Use Honey

Add honey to some of your store-bought hair products or try whipping up some of the simple beauty recipes provided below yourself:

Honey Mayo Hair Treatment

1 cup mayonnaise

1 avocado

2 tbsp honey

1/2 cup EVOO (optional)

rosemary or lavender EO

Mix together mayonnaise, avocado and honey and massage into dry hair, concentrating on the ends. Add two or three drops of essential oils to create a distinctive hair treatment, or a half cup of olive oil to provide extra conditioning. Use a shower cap to cover the hair and leave on for 30 minutes.

Rinse the mayonnaise and honey hair treatment out in a warm shower. Massage the scalp to get the blood flow going, which helps to stimulate hair growth and health. Once the treatment is washed out completely, use a clarifying or moisturizing shampoo and conditioner as usual. For those who have dry hair, using a shampoo and conditioner that adds moisture is ideal to create shiny and smooth hair. Remove excess moisture from the hair with a towel and let air dry. 

Hair Shine Conditioner

1/2 cup of honey

1/4 cup of warm EVOO

1 tsp of xanthan gum

EO (optional)

This treatment leaves your hair feeling super silky and moisturized.

Mix  honey, olive oil, xanthan gum and 4 drops of essential oil (if a scent is desired) in a small bowl.

Warm a towel in the dryer and wrap the warm towel around your head.Apply mixture to damp hair. Work mixture into hair making sure hair is coated from the roots to the ends. Leave the towel on for 30 minutes or longer if desired. The longer the conditioner is left on, the shinier your hair will be. Rinse the mixture out of your hair with cool water and lightly shampoo hair. Rinse shampoo out with cool water. Dry as usual and admire the shine.

Honey Shampoo 

Honey has slight bleaching properties, so this shampoo will create subtle highlights in your hair over time. Honey will also provide your hair with extra body and shine. 

1/2 cup liquid Castile soap
1/2 cup water
1 cup honey

In a squeeze bottle combine the Castile soap, water and honey. Place the lid on the bottle and rock back and forth gently to mix the ingredients. Use your own homemade honey shampoo as you use your normal shampoo. Allow it to rest on your hair for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. 

(Substitutes: If the your hair is oily, you can substitute the liquid Castile soap in this recipe with any gentle shampoo. Castile soap is made from olive oil and is may leave some people's hair too oily. You can also substitute molasses for the honey if you do not want your hair to lighten with use.)

ETA: I have used honey a few time in my deep conditioner, but I have decided to stop using it. I actually found it simply wasn't working for my hair, and oddly I was getting more breakage. Simple is best for me. I have a good regimen right now, so I am going to stick to it.

source

EVCO Challenge: Final Week

Day 58 (Feb 28, 2010)

Well my hair is still breaking, nothing too serious. I am concerned, because traditionally I see breakage around the 7-8 post mark. But even more concerning is the fact that my hair is breaking is way too close to the roots (long pieces vs short tiny pieces) . I think I was unmistakably using a product with protein on my scalp as a growth aid. I am going to stop using this scalp treatment because what is the point of accelerating my growth just to have it break off? Not sure if it was really speeding up my growth as much as I would have liked anyway, and the risk is not worth it. I don't want too many setbacks. Oh well, I will just stick to my faithful scalp oil blend.

Day 59 (March 1, 2010)
My hair and new growth feels soft. I have stalled the breakage by doing a protective style. Hope I have remedied with my deep conditioning treatment.

Day 60 (March 2, 2010)
I am sad and in a panic. I did not want to end this challenge like this. Alas, the breakage I am experiencing is worst than I thought . I am devastated right now. Now your probably thinking, okay it's just breakage, deep condition and you can stop it. It isn't just any type of break. My hair is breaking at the root! The root! How do I know this? Well I have very long strains in my hand, there are no bulbs at the end and there are spots in my scalp were there is 1/4 inch of hair!!!!!! Now if that isn't severe breakage I don't know what is. I am in a panic because I don't know what to do. I know one thing I am no longer using the scalp creme I have been using. I thought I could handle even small doses of protein, but apparently I can't. This is a serious setback. I am so sad right now. I just hope I can salvage most of my hair.

As an aside. Two thumbs up for the EVCO. It took some time, but eventually did its magic as promised.

Promises:

• Stronger hair (yes)
• Shinier hair and softer new growth (yes)
• Less breakage and split ends (yes, yes and YES!)
• Less shedding (off and on)
• My hair will look and feel a lot healthier (yes)
• More length retention(yes)
• A reduced need to use products such as protein treatments and commercial deep conditioners (not quite)

My hair was stronger, soft, moisturized and I had (until now) absolutely no breakage! I wouldn't suggest it as a sealant as a M & S though because it can leave the hair a little stiff and greasy feeling--at least it did for me, but I am heavy handed, so that may just be my issue. Based on these results I give EVCO a  (more like a 9.75/10) only because it didn't do everything it promised, but came so close.

As for my current state of affairs I really need to do some hard core babying of my hair for the next 5 weeks....I am really, really sad right now.