When the word ‘pumpkin’ comes to mind, we usually think of Halloween, soup, or pie. But often, the term ‘oil’ gets missed out.
However, have you ever thought of how beneficial this little seed could be for your hair? Definitely not. But one thing is sure; it is not destined to be in the dustbin!
If you are experiencing bald spots or your hair is falling off more than usual, pumpkin seed oil mixed with peppermint oil can work wonders for it as it is extremely rich in omega-3,6 fatty acids, vitamins A and vitamin E, zinc, tryptophan, and a number of antioxidants as well.
However, since hair growth products are on the rise lately, just like many hair care trends, it can be challenging to determine whether such products are merely a ploy or could live up to expectations.
Apart from the ability to accelerate hair re-growth, pumpkin and peppermint oil for hair is also a perfect, natural cleanser for removing product buildup (which can clog hair follicles and slow down the growth process) and could be used for a variety of scalp-related problems as well.
How does pumpkin oil help for hair growth?
Pumpkin seed oil for hair growth-The pumpkin seed oil for hair works by blocking the action and anti-androgenic effects of the 5-alpha-reduction enzyme. In other words, high levels of testosterone in the body can result in the formation of DHT, a testosterone derivative in the presence of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes. This DHT molecule will stop hair follicles from scalp loss and baldness.
Pumpkin seed oil blocks the enzyme and helps hair follicles to expand.
Peppermint oil for hair growth-A report published in Toxicological Research indicates that a solution of peppermint oil facilitates hair growth. The main component of peppermint oil, menthol, increases the blood flow to the area where it is applied.
Peppermint oil can cause a cold, tingling feeling when it increases circulation to the area it's applied to. This can help promote hair growth during the anagen (or growing) phase.
In comparison, this mode of treatment is cheap and a viable alternative to many counter-topic treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride, which are both costly and come with a share of side effects.
Pumpkin seed oil & peppermint for hair growth recipe and method:
What you need:
- Pumpkin seed oil (use sufficient to saturate your scalp and cover your entire hair).
- A few drops of peppermint oil.
Mix the two ingredients and massage your scalp with the oil for 10 minutes. It is extremely important that you spend enough time massaging your scalp with oil, as it facilitates circulation of the scalp and ensures that the oil spreads uniformly through all hair follicles.
Follow these steps:
- Start off by brushing all the knots and tangles out of your hair. You can apply it before you take a bath when your hair is dirty.
- Once that's done, you're going to mix all your ingredients (10 drops of each pumpkin & peppermint seed oil), and you can apply this onto your scalp only by using a dropper or straight with your fingertips. Perhaps only once a week or two, otherwise your hair gets too oily overtime.
- Massage your scalp gently with the oil.
- Once applied, wrap your hair with the help of a hot towel. Keep it still for 20 minutes.
- Remove the towel, and then wash it all off with the help of shampoo.
Or leave the oil overnight before washing your hair to see the best results. Use it twice a week for a few weeks. The results seen after will be self-explanatory.
The bottom line
Pumpkin seed oil and peppermint for hair growth are the perfect upgrade for your hair health. In addition to stopping shedding the hair protein, they also moisturise the follicle, ensuring bright, lustrous strands that are particularly necessary for over-processed hair.
In less time, you would have much less hair in the comb, or when you run your fingers through the hair. As a prerequisite, be aware that there are lots of different types of peppermint & pumpkin oil for hair available in the market, but you have to buy only the 100% pure and cold-pressed oil with no refinement to see the effect.
Make sure to do a patch test before you begin treatment, as in all skincare regimes, to ensure that allergic reactions do not occur.
