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African American hair growth using essential oils? Here's a how-to guide for you to consider. Getting long, luscious, and healthy hair is the dream for many Black women. Yet sometimes, these dreams never become a reality for different reasons.
Some of you invest your time and money in the wrong products and methods because you want your hair to grow long.
Many companies tout products that promise speedy hair growth for African-American hair. In worst-case scenarios, you might even damage your hair in the process.
Most companies won’t tell you how to improve the health of your hair in order for it to grow. When you maintain a healthy hair care regimen, that will improve the health of your scalp, prevent hair thinning, and ensure that nothing stunts your natural hair growth rate, then you will see the results you want.
One way to achieve the growth you want, is to learn how to blend essential oils that have been known to work for hair growth and massage them onto your scalp.
They have stimulating properties that have been known to increase the flow of blood to your hair follicles and improve your scalp health.
This guide will serve as an introduction to some of the best essential oils and carrier oils for African American hair growth.
Essential Oils …
What are essential oils?
Although volatile in nature, Essential oils differ from other oils. They come from plants, (flower, leaves, bark or fruit) not petroleum. They are therapeutic, powerful, and they release their beneficial ingredients easily.
An essential oil may have more than 100 different chemical compounds, each with specific therapeutic properties. They soak into the skin or hair quickly and they work well with your body chemistry.
Cedar oil is said to be a perfect remedy for spot baldness and dandruff, which are two things that can inhibit your hair growth and scalp health. Using cedar oil is simple, and it should be used alongside coconut oil and massaged into your scalp for the best results.
Measure two tablespoons of coconut oil into an amber bottle, add 2 to 3 drops of cedar oil and massage the mixture into your scalp. Allow it to sit on your hair for between one and two hours, and then wash off with lukewarm/cool water. You can use this tip before you shampoo or in-between shampoos.
Lavender oil is an extract of the purple lavender plant that is known to improve hair growth, especially for people who suffer alopecia or loss of hair.
Its beautiful scent, combined with its antibacterial and anti- inflammatory properties help to prevent and fight fungal infections and also improve the overall health of your scalp.
Lavender oil is great for scalp massages because it improves blood circulation, soothes your scalp, and supports hair growth.
You can use Lavender oil alone or use it with carrier oils such as jojoba and olive oil for the best growth support.
African-American hair can benefit from the cooling and cleansing powers of peppermint essential oil. This oil helps in opening up blocked pores and also supports the normal flow of oils on your scalp and skin.
To support hair growth, mix 3 drops of peppermint oil alongside 4 drops of lavender oil and add them to 2 tablespoons of warm coconut oil. This makes a great hot oil treatment for your hair and scalp.
Apply the oils to your scalp and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. After that, you can wash your hair with a shampoo that is free of paraben and sulfate.
Many stories are told about Rosemary oil, including the fact that it has been involved in therapeutic processes over decades. It has also been lauded for its abilities in memory enhancement and pain relief.
Beyond these purposes, Rosemary oil has benefits that go a long way when it comes to African American hair. Several bodies of research and science prove that the Mediterranean’s used this oil for hair treatment and hair loss prevention.
Rosemary oil contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that support the flow of blood to your scalp, as well as the growth of your nerves and hair follicles.
You can heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil, allow it to cool, and then add 3 drops of Rosemary oil. When you apply the mixture to your scalp, cover your head with a heated towel and leave it for 30 minutes. When the time elapses, wash off the oil with a paraben and sulfate-free shampoo. You can use this oil mixture once a week to treat your scalp and unclog your pores.
Don’t want to go through all the fuss? You can always try our Herbal Hair Growth Serum. Rosemary along with other essential oils known to aid in hair growth, have already been blended for you.
As the name implies, tea tree oil is gotten from the tea tree plant. Findings show that this oil is very beneficial for the treatment of itchy scalp and dandruff resulting from fungal diseases.
When buildups block the hair follicles, they prevent nutrients from reaching the hair strands, thereby preventing hair growth.
The best form of tea tree oil is the one that exists in its purest form.
Always dilute tea tree oil when applying it to your scalp.
When you can’t find pure tea tree oil, use other hair products that contain tea tree oil on your hair to support its health and growth.
Thyme oil is another notable oil that you might expect to find in the kitchen. However, you’d be surprised by the functions it carries out where your hair is concerned.
Thyme oil is rich in antimicrobial properties that fight dandruff and dry scalp. It also revives the hair follicles and increases the flow of blood to the scalp.
To use thyme oil, mix 2 drops of thyme oil alongside 2 tablespoons of extra virgin oil and 5 drops of lavender oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp and leave for 20 minutes before washing it off.
No essential oil should be used without being diluted. Therefore, you will need a carrier oil.
Carrier Oils …
What are carrier oils?
Carrier oils come from the fatty portion of the plant. Most of the time this is the seeds or kernels. They are called carrier oils, because they "carry" the essential oil into your scalp and hair.
It's always best to dilute your essential oils using carrier oils, Why? Because essential oils are much more potent than you think.
Avocado oil helps with itchy and flaky scalp caused by dandruff. It is also high in vitamins A and D, and highly beneficial to your scalp health. Due to its light nature, it penetrates the follicles where your hair growth starts. It helps your hair strand to absorb all the nutrients it needs, thereby making your hair resistant to heat and breakage.
Coconut oil is enriched with fatty acids, making it helpful for growing healthy hair. This oil is very well known and very beneficial for African-American hair, especially Afro and curly hair.
First, it is an amazing moisturizer that improves dry, dull, and brittle hair, which is prone to break easily. Coconut oil helps to restore the shine to your hair, preventing it from breaking.
Coconut oil is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that nourish your scalp and prevent the buildup of sebum that frustrates hair growth. The lauric acid you find in coconut oil is also light and easy to absorb by your hair shaft.
You can use coconut oil alone on your hair or you can combine it with other carrier oils like black castor oil for better hair growth.
You can find coconut oil in solid and liquid form and apply it to your hair. If you are dealing with solid coconut oil, measure some into a bowl and warm it up in a pot of water. Apply the oil beginning at the scalp all the way up to your strands. If you want extra gloss and moisture, apply coconut oil to slightly damp hair.
Grape seep oil is one oil that doesn't get as much credit as it deserves, because of its unique advantages and features.
This carrier oil is made from grape seeds and can even be used for cooking instead of vegetable oil. But as far as hair is concerned, grapeseed oil is perfect for African-American hair. Its lightweight nature makes it penetrate the scalp easily and offer luster and moisture to the hair.
Grapeseed oil is rich in linoleic acid, responsible for the prevention of baldness and hair loss. This oil could be the answer to dull and dry hair. Its non-greasy and odorless nature is also an added advantage over other oils that improve hair growth.
Jamaican black castor oil is one of the best oils for African-American hair growth. It is also fast becoming a constant ingredient in hair products across the world.
Research has proven that Jamaican castor oil can stimulate hair growth speedily because the castor seeds are burned in the production of this oil. This process leaves a high amount of ash in the oil that is very healthy for your hair.
Jamaican black castor oil is great for scalp massages and stimulates your follicles for better hair growth.
Apply some drops of Jamaican black castor oil to your scalp, massage it gently, going from the roots upwards. This ensures that all the nutrients penetrate the hair follicles and boost your hair strands to avoid breakage.
Jojoba oil is highly beneficial to the growth of your African-American hair. It moisturizes your hair and locks in the moisture, keeping your hair lush and healthy for a long time.
Jojoba oil also contains essential vitamins such as vitamins B, C, and E. These vitamins help to repair dry scalp. You also find copper and zinc in jojoba oil that strengthens your hair strands, improves thickness, and prevents hair loss.
There are limitless possibilities with olive oil, which we have seen do wonders everywhere, from the kitchen to skin, and even hair.
Olive oil is very hydrating and contains a large number of antioxidants that boost hair growth.
One of the most notable functions of olive oil is that it inhibits dihydrotestosterone- a hormone responsible for damaging the hair follicles and causing hair loss.
Olive oil also provides moisture to your hair, repairs dry scalp, reduces the incidence of hair breakage, and helps in the prevention of hair loss. We are truly yet to see that one situation where olive oil doesn’t come through with solutions, just as it does for the growth of African-American hair.
Just as we have seen from the components of the essential oils we discussed above, one thing your African-American hair needs to be healthy is moisture. Moisture goes a long way in maintaining healthy hair and supporting growth.
Here are some other general tips to maintain your African-American hair for better growth.
Avoid over-washing your hair
Washing your hair once a week or every 10 days is good enough for your hair to prevent wringing out the natural oils in your scalp and developing dry hair.
When washing, you can improve moisture by making an oil mask with a half- teaspoon each of jojoba oil, macadamia, and almond. Apply the oils to your hair and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before shampooing.
You can also use a co-wash that contains coconut oil for a quick and effective wash.
Condition carefully
When applying your conditioner, direct it towards your hair shaft and go from the scalp upwards. If you wear locs, visit your loctician to condition your locs in a way that doesn’t result in residue issues.
Always seal in moisture
When your hair is damp and fresh after a wash, apply a hair serum or herbal hair oil containing coconut oil or shea butter and Rosemary oil. Then, air-dry your hair to enable them to lock in properly.
Avoid harmful daily practices
Try to avoid applying products daily if you don’t have to. Avoid products that contain petroleum, alcohol, fragrance, or mineral oil.
Use a satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase when you sleep. Common materials like polyester and cotton suck out moisture from your hair. The friction between your hair and the material can also cause hair breakage and make your hair appear dull.
We have seen several essential oils that help support the growth of your African-American hair. However, it is advisable that you also consider your hair type before deciding on the best oil for you because what works well for your hair type might not work as well for your friend or relative’s hair type.
Feel free to experiment with several oils until you find what works best for your hair, and then stick with it.
It’s important to note that peppermint essential oil can be irritating for some skins, so do a skin test on a small area of your arm and watch for reactions before proceeding to apply it to your scalp. This applies even if it’s been diluted.
If you’re pregnant or a nursing mother, confirm with your doctor if it’s okay to use essential oils, and which ones are safe for you.
Want to learn more about natural hair and skin care using natural and organic ingredients? Click here.
That’s it for this week. As always …
Dedicated to Your Beauty,
Juliette Samuel,
Esthetician/Author/Publisher,