It’s obvious that hair loss not only alters a person’s physical appearance but can also impact their mental state. That’s why many people seek to get their hair back through hair loss treatments and hair transplants.
Before you leap into medical hair restoration treatments, you may wish to consider natural remedies like essential oils. Some oils like rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and black seed oil have been known to be effective natural remedies for treating hair loss and thinning hair.
In addition to these oils for hair growth, you might also want to consider using cinnamon for hair. The benefits of cinnamon oil for hair include stimulating hair growth, maintaining scalp health, and keeping hair healthy.
However, is cinnamon oil really effective at treating hair loss and what are the risks of using cinnamon to promote healthy hair growth? Read on to learn more about cinnamon oil for hair including how to use the spice and alternative treatments for hair loss.
Some studies have found that cinnamaldehyde, the main compound in cinnamon, has improved hair growth in animals [1]. While more human research is needed to corroborate these findings, it’s a promising discovery for those who are looking for a natural remedy for their hair loss. Cinnamon oil has also been used as a base for topical Finasteride applications — an established hair restoration drug. [2]
Cinnamon oil is thought to be effective because it dilates blood vessels and increases blood circulation. Strong blood flow to the hair follicles is essential for healthy hair growth as the blood transports nutrients to the follicles, energising them and helping to stimulate hair growth.
Cinnamon oil also contains chemical compounds like Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde. These compounds have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help fight off fungal and bacterial infections that affect the scalp. Antifungal remedies can also reduce the risk of conditions like dandruff [3].
If there’s one thing for sure it’s that cinnamon oil is full of natural antioxidants, which are great for banishing free radicals, reducing inflammation and preventing UV damage. So whilst cinnamon oil isn’t scientifically proven as a hair loss treatment, it certainly has a number of great properties that can help boost hair health. The healthier your scalp is, the more chance you have of growing a healthy head of hair and increasing hair length!
One of the easiest ways to apply cinnamon to your hair is by making cinnamon hair masks. To do this, combine cinnamon powder with two tablespoons of honey then mix it into some coconut or olive oil to make a paste. Smother this hair mask onto your scalp and leave it for around fifteen to twenty minutes. Then wash it off with shampoo and water.
Some places sell cinnamon essential oil in a bottle but if you can’t find it, the method above will work just as well.
You may also find that cinnamon oil is an ingredient in hair loss treatments sold at your local supermarket. Again, we can’t guarantee that these will work, so it’s up to you whether you spend the money or save it by making a home remedy.
It’s not always easy to separate fact from fiction when it comes to haircare advice. As expert trichologists, we’re always keen to dispel the myths and give you the facts about popular treatments.
Here are some common myths about the benefits of cinnamon for hair:
Please keep in mind that using cinnamon oil in a concentrated form can potentially cause skin irritation and sores. If left in contact with the skin for too long, it can also cause chemical burns. We highly recommend doing a small patch test on the inside of your arm or elbow before using it on your scalp. You should wait 24-48 hours after doing a patch test to make sure you won’t experience any late-onset side effects.
Exercise caution with cinnamon oil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also be wary if you are taking diabetic medication or blood thinners or have a hormone-sensitive disease. If in doubt, contact your GP for advice before using cinnamon oil as a hair loss treatment.
Over the years, pharmaceutical companies have invested billions of pounds in researching the causes of hair loss. Pharmacies and supermarkets present you with a whole host of products that claim to tackle every hair loss condition from thinning to baldness.
Unfortunately finding a product that actually works can be difficult. Many people end up spending a lot of money only to see very little improvement in the condition of their hair. Even certain other essential oils like mustard oil for hair have virtually no evidence to back up their use.
Some alternative treatments that have shown a little more promise in combatting the early stages of thinning hair include:
Cinnamon oil isn’t the only natural formula said to help your hair. Rosemary oil, cedarwood oil, and other essential oils for hair growth are widely used. In addition, other oils like and chili oil for hair may also help promote hair growth, though more evidence is needed to substantiate this. Marshmallow root may have benefits for hair as well.
Although Minoxidil is not a natural remedy for hair loss, it is a popular hair loss treatment that is safe for both men and women to use. Minoxidil comes in various strengths and topical forms which can be applied to the scalp daily.
Minoxidil works as a vasodilator, encouraging blood flow to the scalp which in turn stimulates hair growth.
The effects of using 5% Minoxidil once daily for female pattern hair loss
DHT blockers are medications designed to prevent the body from converting testosterone to DHT, a sex hormone believed to be partially responsible for genetic hair loss conditions such as male pattern baldness.
Two of the most popular DHT blockers include Dutasteride and Finasteride. These medications are available by prescription from a hair loss specialist. It should be noted that due to the hormonal disruptions these drugs cause, Dutasteride and Finasteride are not recommended for women.
If your hair loss is advanced and you would like to seek a permanent solution to your hair loss, you might want to consider hair transplant surgery. Hair transplant surgery takes healthy hair follicles from one area of your body (usually from an area on your head that is resistant to hair loss) and transplants them to areas of balding or hair thinning.
We typically lose up to 100 hairs a day from carrying out activities such as washing and brushing our hair. Some people however lose more hair due to conditions such as alopecia, thyroid problems, lupus and diabetes, as well as treatments for cancer like chemotherapy.
While there is anecdotal evidence for some of these formulas, many natural remedies are little more than old wives’ tales. If you’re looking for a more tried-and-tested way to get a full head of hair and are considering hair transplantation, read our hair transplant frequently asked questions.
Get it touch with us today to speak with a hair loss specialist at our award-winning clinic to get a proper diagnosis for your hair loss and a treatment plan customised according to your needs and hair restoration goals.
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