| In many cases, harsh shampoos and treatments for | | | | However, many people don't know that this study |
| shedding and hair loss can make the problem worse. | | | | was performed on patients with alopecia areata |
| Irritating ingredients like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) | | | | (autoimmune hair loss) rather than TE or AGA. But, |
| and alcohol are major irritants that can further | | | | because the causes of AA aren't well understood |
| aggravate an already damaged scalp, which can | | | | and patients with AA sometimes respond well to |
| continue the cycle. I believe that this is one of the | | | | methods used for other types of loss, many people |
| reasons why I'm starting to see a lot of interest in | | | | have held out hopes that the results are applicable to |
| essential oils as a treatment for hair shedding and as | | | | many types of loss. |
| an aid for hair regrowth. I'll provide more information | | | | The study looked at eighty six patients. Half used a |
| about how and why essential oils work (and which | | | | combination of essentials oils (with an appropriate |
| are best) in the following article. | | | | carrier) into their scalps for seven months. At the |
| Why Essential Oils May Help With Shedding And | | | | end of that time frame, 43% of the oil using patients |
| Regrowth: I believe that the main reason that these | | | | had improvement. And, the patients given the oils |
| oils help with shedding is because they help to reduce | | | | had better results than those who used a carrier |
| inflammation and they soothe and stimulate the scalp | | | | alone. |
| and hair follicles simultaneously. They are natural | | | | Now, 43% is pretty good results. But, I think that |
| substances without any chemical or artificial additives. | | | | the results would have been better had they rotated |
| Also, some of them have cleansing and anti bacterial | | | | their oils around. It's my experience that over time, |
| properties. | | | | your hair and scalp gets used to certain treatments |
| Some of the more popular and effective examples | | | | so that they are no longer as effective. Also, using |
| are tea tree oil, lavender, rosemary, cedar wood, | | | | the same oils over time could result in build up and a |
| thyme, grapefruit, lemon, sage, and cypress. | | | | clogging of the follicles. I have found it vital to |
| There is a catch with using these oils though. You | | | | effectively rotate my treatments, noting any |
| can't just put them on your scalp. There are in a | | | | unfavorable reactions from any of the oils. I |
| concentrated form which would be too harsh. And, | | | | immediately discontinue any ingredient that seems to |
| just diluting them won't work either because they | | | | make my shedding worse or that aggravates my |
| won't be absorbed into your scalp properly with out | | | | scalp. |
| a carrier. Common carriers are jojoba and emu oils. I | | | | In short, the research shows (and I agree) that |
| like emu because it is full of nutrients, as well as being | | | | essential oils are good for your scalp and can help |
| a good anti inflammatory and anti bacterial as well. | | | | with shedding and regrowth. However, care must be |
| What Studies Tell Us About Essential Oils And Hair | | | | taken to rotate them and cull out any that do more |
| Loss: Another reason that these oils are gaining | | | | harm than good. |
| popularity is because of a study out of Scotland. | | | | |