What are the benefits of peppermint on hair?

The essential oil of peppermint is a colorless to greenish-yellow liquid with a characteristic mentholated odor. It primarily contains menthol (about 42%), ketones (menthones), and monoterpenes (limonene, sabinene, camphene).

Like the majority of essential oils, peppermint oil is obtained through hydrodistillation of fresh mint leaves, that is, by steam distillation. The principle involves heating a mixture of water and leaves to evaporate the volatile aromatic molecules and collect them following condensation. This method allows for the extraction of two products, namely the hydrosol and the essential oil, with a low yield of 0.2 to 0.6%. It should be noted, this yield can be improved up to 3% when starting from dried leaves.

Several studies on this subject demonstrate that this essential oil helps to improve the overall health of the scalp and hair, in various aspects.

• Promoting hair growth.

  There are numerous ideas circulating about the stimulating property of this essential oil on hair regrowth. Indeed, a study conducted in 2014 on mice is quite promising. Peppermint essential oil led to hair growth as rapid as minoxidil, a molecule used in dermatology to combat androgenetic alopecia. According to researchers, this is explained by the high amount of menthol in the essential oil. Menthol is a vasodilator, it improves blood circulation. Now, baldness is often due to a lack of blood flow to the hair follicles. Increasing circulation with a vasodilator like peppermint essential oil thus helps to stimulate hair growth or at least prevent their loss.

• Combatting dandruff.

  This essential oil also possesses purifying and antibacterial properties. It helps regulate sebum production, thus preventing the excess that leads to oily and imbalanced scalps. It also provides an immediate sensation of freshness upon application, as well as a pleasant mentholated scent.

• Limiting itchiness.

  Peppermint has soothing properties. It alleviates scalp discomforts such as itching, tingling, tightness, and other unpleasant sensations.

How to use peppermint essential oil for hair? Peppermint essential oil should not be used undiluted directly on the scalp. It is instead recommended to incorporate a few drops into a carrier oil or your regular shampoo.