Mythbusters: Are Essential Oils Good For Hair?

If you've ever spent a good amount of time online and especially on social media, you've probably already heard of essential oils before. Essential oils are usually touted as a cure-all for a whole slew of issues, from sleeping problems to allergies.

While the effectivity of essential oils for non-therapeutic purposes is still up for debate, they've actually been used as an important ingredient in many hair products for many years now.

In today's ZALA Mythbusters, we'll discuss the answer to the question: are essential oils good for hair?

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are extracted from plants in order to gain a highly concentrated version of the said plant. They're usually associated with fragrances since many people use them with a humidifier. However, many companies claim that essential oils can do more than just make the environment smell good.

Simply put, essential oils are also said to be very beneficial for one's health, depending on the specific oil. When it comes to hair, especially, some oils are said to offer benefits that no other product can in a way that's both easy and affordable.

The Myth

Using essential oils on hair is certainly not a new or unique concept. Healers from as early as 1000 AD have been known to use presses or steam in order to get fragrant plant extracts – the early version of the essential oils that we see and use today.

Here are some of the benefits that essential oils are said to have and the specific EO that apparently causes them:

• Smoothens and softens hair - coconut oil, geranium oil, lavender oil.
• Promotes healthy hair growth - cedarwood oil, clary sage oil, rosemary oil.
• Stimulates the scalp - Almond oil, chamomile oil jojoba oil.
• Increases hair shine - Chamomile oil, lavender oil.
• Greatly moisturizes the scalp - Jojoba oil, rosemary oil.

The Truth

Essential oils are in no way a new discovery. Even way back in 1000 AD, healers have already been using steam or presses in order to collect fragrant plant extracts.

These days, essential oils usually undergo a process called distillation. The final product is very concentrated, which is why you should always use your EO wisely.

That said, EOs are actually completely harmless to any person with no underlying health issue. You could try them all you want and you won't see any negative effects.

The only reason why you should probably not use EOs too much is due to environmental sustainability. It takes roughly 250 flowers to get 1 ml of EO, so imagine how many flowers had to be sacrificed just to prepare this small but very special ingredient.

DIY Essential Oil Treatments for Hair

If you've got essential oils lying around, you might want to try using them as a DIY treatment for your hair.

You can mix them with your regular hair masks or even your shampoos to improve the effects on your hair.

Some of the best essential oils for hair are jojoba oil, clary sage, cedarwood, and lavender.

You can also leave these essential oils on your strands for 30 minutes or even overnight. Wash them in the morning and you'll notice an improvement in your hair texture.

Are essential oils good for hair?

So, are essential oils good for hair?

Essential oils can be an affordable and easy way to improve your hair's condition in just a few drops. Depending on the specific oil you use, your hair could improve in shine, strength, and growth.

That said, do know that there is such a thing as using them the wrong way. According to WebMD, overusing EOs or not diluting them enough can cause harmful effects like skin rashes, burns, swelling, and even sores. Some people have also experienced allergies after using certain essential oils. Make sure that you do a small patch test first before using the oil on your entire hair.

Are you interested in using essential oils now? Have you already used them before? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

And of course, for more hair tips and tricks, don't forget to check out our ZALA blog!