Can Menthol Crystals Help with Hair Growth?

Hair loss and thinning hair are common problems with few solutions. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that affects roughly 2.1 percent of the population, or 1 in 50 individuals. Men are more prone to suffer from Alopecia areata, but it can also affect women. 

About 147 million people are currently battling thinning hair and hair loss, and in severe cases, end up losing all their hair. Alopecia areata usually starts developing before the age of 30.

Alopecia areata is a “polygenic disease,” meaning both parents need to contribute to the gene for it to be passed on to their child. If only one parent has the gene, the child is unlikely to suffer from Alopecia areata in their life. 

Three Types of Alopecia Areata:

• Alopecia areata patchy — The most typical type, characterized by one or more coin-sized hairless patches on the scalp or other body parts.
• Alopecia totalis — Complete baldness on the scalp.
• Alopecia universalis — Complete baldness on the body, face, and scalp.

Luckily, not all hope is lost! Your hair can regrow if you suffer from Alopecia areata, even after many years, or if you have gone completely bald. In addition, many different treatments are available, such as using menthol crystals or peppermint oil, which has been proven to stimulate hair growth.

What is Menthol Crystal?

You might be wondering what is menthol crystals? Menthol is a fancy name for mint, and Menthol Crystals are crystals created by distilling and freezing Peppermint oil. In simple terms, menthol crystals are highly concentrated mint or peppermint oil. 

The good news is Menthol Crystals are all-natural and host many health benefits, such as reducing nausea, calming fevers, soothing burns, and reducing hair loss.

Mint is used in toothpaste, nasal and chest decongestants, and many more pharmaceutical products. Menthol is good for you, and menthol is natural, with few side effects. 

Using menthol crystals can also provide a cooling and refreshing effect, making you feel awake and clean. Menthol crystals melt just above room temperature and can be mixed with liquids or creams to create mentholated products. 

The main difference between menthol crystals vs. peppermint oil is that menthol crystals are much more concentrated and must be used with caution. Peppermint oil, on the other hand, is less concentrated and can be directly massaged onto the scalp or skin. 

Benefits of Menthol Crystals

Many people inhale menthol in the morning instead of coffee, as it can make you feel more awake and alert and is the perfect substitute for those who have caffeine sensitivity. 

In addition, menthol crystals can be used for hair growth, stimulating blood flow in the scalp and opening up hair follicles. When applied topically, menthol has a cooling effect and helps reduce inflammation.

You can not eat menthol crystals; no amount is safe to ingest. However, when used correctly, menthol crystals reduce nausea, relieve headaches, and provide a refreshing and uplifting cerebral effect by reducing stress and increasing energy levels. 

In addition, mint supports immunity, has a pain-relieving effect, and can be used to soothe a sore chest or throat, or to calm skin burns. 

One of the best menthol benefits is opening up the airways in the lungs, allowing you to breathe easily and take deeper breaths. Menthol is also commonly used in creams to soothe and reduce pain in sore, swollen muscles. 

In addition, there are many benefits when menthol is applied on to the skin, like deep cleansing of the pores and eliminating bacteria and sebum.

Science Behind Menthol Crystals and Hair Growth

When menthol is applied to the hair and scalp, it helps regulate oil production, manage dandruff, kill lice, repair damaged hair follicles, and stimulate natural growth. In addition, menthol leaves your hair smelling fresh, clean, and minty! Menthol is a vasodilator that improves blood flow. 

The main cause of hair loss is a lack of blood flow, as hair loss, or thinning, occurs due to reduced or no blood flow to the hair follicles. Using a vasodilator, such as menthol crystals, stimulates the blood flow to the scalp, preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth. 

So, when you feel that warm, tingly sensation on your skin or scalp when applying mentholated products, it is the blood flow increasing in that area. 

Menthol has a deep cleansing effect on the hair strands, making your hair appear shinier and smoother. In addition, by penetrating deeply into the hair follicle, menthol can help clean the hair follicle and lessen ingrown hairs and acne.

Cosmetically, menthol is antibacterial, soothing, cooling, and circulation stimulating. Medicinally, menthol is analgesic, anesthetic, antimicrobial, decongestant, and antiemetic. 

How to Use Menthol Crystals for Hair Loss Treatment

Using menthol crystals for hair loss is easy and will leave your scalp feeling cool and refreshed! Knowing how to use menthol crystals will help you create the best routine to take care of your hair and prevent any further thinning hair or hair loss. 

Method 1 (Mentholated Coconut Oil):

• Always wear gloves and eye protection to avoid injuries when working with menthol crystals.
• Add a teaspoon of menthol crystals to 150ml coconut oil (you can use beeswax or cocoa butter instead of coconut oil, or make a mixture).
• Heat the coconut oil on low heat until the crystals have melted into the oil. 
• Apply the cooled mentholated coconut oil to your hair and massage it into your scalp. 
• Leave the mixture in your hair for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, leave it on overnight. 
• Wash the mixture off with a mild shampoo. You might have to wash your hair 2-3 times to remove residual mentholated coconut oil. Remember to place a stainless steel drain protector over the shower or sink drain, otherwise the coconut oil can clog up your pipes and cause a blockage. 
• Dry your hair, and enjoy your shiny, fresh, beautiful hair! 
• Apply the mentholated coconut oil to your hair 2-3 times a week for the best results. 
• The mentholated coconut oil mixture can also be used as a chest rub to help open up the airways, as a shaving oil, or as a massage oil for painful muscles. 

Method 2 (Mentholated Conditioner):

• Melt a teaspoon of menthol crystals in two tablespoons of coconut oil. 
• Once the mixture has cooled, add the mentholated coconut oil to 200ml of leave-in conditioner. 
• Apply the mentholated conditioner to your hair and leave it in your hair for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
• Wash the conditioner out the following day, using the drain protector, and enjoy your minty-smelling fresh locks! 

Method 3 (Mentholated Shampoo): 

• Melt a teaspoon of menthol crystals in two tablespoons of coconut oil. 
• Add the mentholated coconut oil to your DIY shampoo or store-bought shampoo.
• Mix it up, lather, and rinse using the drain protector! 
• You can use mentholated shampoo daily for the best results.

Menthol Crystals Side Effects

Menthol crystals do have some side effects. Caution needs to be applied when using menthol crystals, as if you are not careful, it can cause skin irritation. 

• Menthol crystals are flammable and should be kept away from heat sources and open flames. 
• Do not touch your eyes when working with menthol crystals, as it can severely burn or damage them.
• Keep menthol crystals out of reach of children and pets, and do not let children under the age of 16 have access to it. 
• Avoid bathing or showering directly after applying mentholated oil or cream, as it can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation.
• Always keep menthol crystals at room temperature, as the structural integrity can be altered if exposed to heat or cold.

Conclusion

When used correctly, menthol crystals offer a wide variety of benefits. Adding menthol crystals to your daily grooming routine is easy, and unless you have a mint allergy, there is no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of its many benefits!

Using menthol crystals in your hair products will help stimulate hair growth over time and is one of the best ways to combat baldness and thinning hair. Menthol crystals are easy to find and are commonly available at local pharmacies or natural health stores.