Common household oil could help naturally fight off hair loss

07 November 2023 , 01:42

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The common grocery could double up as a hair loss prevention hack (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A common household oil could help naturally fight off hair loss, according to one medic.

While hair loss can be a concern for some and even a source of anxiety and depression, a obstetrician and gynecologist has claimed coconut oil may help thicken and slow down hair loss. Dr Jennifer Ashton said the oil could be one of a number of common products which help.

She said: "There's very limited data that shows a dramatic improvement with hair growth or hair thickening with a coconut oil. But you always have to say to yourself: risk versus benefit. This is incredibly low-risk. There may not be a benefit there, but it's certainly not going to do harm."

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She also added how peppermint oil has been shown to stimulate hair growth in animal studies by increasing blood flow to the scalp. Ashton added: "Peppermint oil vasodilates. [That] means it takes the blood vessels and makes them larger. When you make a tube larger and you're talking about a blood vessel, that increases blood flow. Menthol, eucalyptus, peppermint absolutely can do that", reports Good Morning America.

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Coconut oil could help stimulate hair growth (Getty Images)

When that hair starts to vanish, many will do everything in their power to keep that hairline firmly in place taking supplements, getting transplants or disguising it as it creeps backwards. Dubbed " hairxiety ", a new study has revealed that nine in 10 young adults are worried about the possibility of their hair thinning, receding or disappearing entirely.

Harley Street Hair Clinic, an industry leader in hair transplants, found that Gen Z are already stressedabout losing their hair as 88% of 18 to 24-year-olds said they were worried about losing locks.

This is compared to 74% of the population who have healthy locks, meaning the youngest adults are also the most likely to be thinking about the possibility of hair loss. Hair loss can start in men at any age, but it is usually from puberty onwards, with many beginning to see their hairline recede from their early 20s - by late 30s this tends to be more noticeable.

Pattern baldness is slightly more extreme than just a receding hairline, as the hair across the head thins and bald patches appear, often around the crown of the head. There is a genetic factor to this and pattern baldness can impact any gender - though it is more common in men.

Peppermint oil has also been found to help prevent hair loss (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Hair loss as we age is common, with three quarters of men and nearly two thirds of women experiencing some form of it, including two thirds of 18-24 year olds. Environmental factors can also cause hair loss, including increased stress which can also turn your locks grey as well as cause it to disappear.

This is a self fulfilling cycle, as a third of 18 to 24-year-olds said they are suffering from increased levels of stress directly as a result of them losing their hair. A quarter also said that their general confidence had been knocked by their appearance, specifically due to hair.

Worryingly, a tenth added that their hair loss concerns had impacted their mental health beyond insecurities and results in depressive episodes and thoughts.

Abigail O'Leary