Can Using Peppermint Oil Regrow Hair?'

Name: Joey

Question: My friend has thinning hair and he's using peppermint oil and dermarolling to get his hair back to normal. It seems to be working. I have Male Pattern Baldness too and am wondering if I can use peppermint oil to treat my receding hairline - do you think it would work?

Answer: Hi, Joey. There are a number of different hair loss conditions which can cause thinning hair and, if your friend is seeing good hair regrowth results from his routine of using peppermint oil and dermarolling, the chances are his is not caused by genetics.

A recent study showed that peppermint oil may help to treat hair loss from conditions such as Telogen Effluvium and Diffuse Thinning (Chronic Telogen Effluvium).

These differ from Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) in that they are not hereditary, are temporary and affect the entire scalp, whereas MPB only causes shedding along the top of the scalp, from the hairline to the crown.

These temporary conditions will also generally clear up of their own accord within a few months once the underlying cause - often stress-related - has been dealt with. Therefore it is likely to be difficult to tell whether or not your friend's hair regrowth is the result of his peppermint oil hair routine, or it is simply the normal hair growth cycle resuming.

Whilst the stimulating effect of peppermint oil, or menthol, on the scalp can benefit localised blood flow, as well as soothing the scalp, relieving any itching symptoms - one of the reasons it is included in some of the clinical therapy sessions at Belgravia - there is no scientific evidence to support any claims that its use can inhibit the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is the testosterone-derivative which binds to androgen receptors in DHT-susceptible hair follicles in people with Male Pattern Hair Loss - namely those in the areas along the vertex and frontal scalp, outlined previously.

Over time the DHT will weaken the affected follicles, causing increasingly thinning hair, a receding hairline and more hairloss; it can also lead to baldness in these areas.

For those interested in preventing baldness, there are a number of hair loss solutions available, ranging from clinically-proven, MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved hair loss treatments, to supplementary hair growth supporting products.

When treating a receding hairline we generally to advise on a combined approach - using both high strength minoxidil and taking the one-a-day DHT-blocking tablet, finasteride 1mg - as this is the most stubborn part of the scalp, where hair growth tends to be the slowest. This can be augmented with the use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) delivered at home via an FDA-cleared device such as the LaserBand, three times per week.

Ensuring you have a balanced diet and lifestyle, appropriately managing any stress, is also beneficial for your hair's condition, something a good quality, highly-targeted nutritional supplement can also help with though this is not intended to replace a healthy diet.

The first step to dealing with hair loss of any kind, however, is to have a professional assess your scalp in order to get a confirmed diagnosis of your condition.

Once that has been properly established, bespoke treatment recommendations can be made based on factors including your pattern and level of shedding, age and general medical profile. If you wish to try using peppermint oil and/or a dermaroller as part of your regime, this can also be discussed with your hair loss specialist, so they can advise you further on what is likely to be best for your specific situation.

There are a couple of things to be aware of regarding the topical use of peppermint oil, should you decide to try this. Firstly, if you have any health problems or are taking any medication, speak to your GP to ensure peppermint oil is not contraindicated for these as it is not suitable for everyone. Secondly, if you are using any essential oils on your skin, it is crucial to ensure they are properly diluted before application. Otherwise they can cause irritation, rashes and, in severe cases, burns, so always buy from a reputably supplier then read, prepare and use the oil in-line with the instructions provided with the product.