Introduction

Lavender’s earliest recorded use in cosmetics and medicine dates back to the ancient Egyptians (they also used it for mummification). The Romans learned from the Egyptians and used lavender oil for its pleasant fragrances and in many other fields. It has always been a popular plant throughout history and has different civilisations.

Its modern-day use is mainly focused on its fragrant properties and calming and relaxing effects in body messages, candles, or diffusers; however, studies have emerged proving its efficacy as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, medicinal, and cosmetic agent.¹

Lavender is a genus of various flowering plants, mainly cultivated for commercial use for their essential oils. It’s believed that Lavender is native to the Mitterrandian mountainous area as it flourishes in sunny, dry weather, and nowadays, it’s cultivated worldwide.

Lavender oil contains many active ingredients, mainly linalool and linalyl acetate, which can make up to 90% of the oil’s composition. Other compounds, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, contribute to lavender oil's antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. 

With aromatherapy on the rise, lavender was studied and found to help maintain a healthy scalp; its ubiquitous nutrients and antioxidants help detoxify the scalp, facilitating access to needed nutrients for promoting hair health, cleanliness, and growth.

Composition of lavender

Essential oils

Of course, lavender's main component is essential oil. Studies show that its composition varies according to the species and part of the plant used for extraction; however, different extraction methods yield the exact amounts of essential oil. 

Lavender essential oil is comprised of more than 100 components, but only the presence and amount of two components can determine the high quality of the oil: linalool (10%- 70%) and Linalyl acetate (1%- 60%)—both are oxygenated monoterpenes.⁵

• Linalool is the main component of lavender. It has proven efficacy as an antioxidant and an antibacterial agent. A recent study also showed that the linalool found in oil extracted from lavender plants in their early flowering period possesses more effective anti-inflammatory effects
• Linalyl acetate is the second principal component in lavender oil. It’s responsible for the relaxing and soothing effects of the oil, as well as the pleasant fragrance of lavender⁴

Antioxidants

Lavender oil contains significant amounts of natural antioxidants, such as:

• Phenolic acids: (ellagic acid, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid). These are naturally occurring antioxidants that aid in the production of collagen. They’re also very effective in wound healing and repairing skin damage
• Flavonoids: (vanillin and mourin). Besides their antioxidant activity, they were found to promote hair growth as they shorten the period between the resting and growth states of the hair follicle

Anti-inflammatory agents 

Most of the components in lavender essential oil possess anti-inflammatory activity; however, the anti-inflammatory properties of lavender are mainly attributed to Linalool as it’s the primary component in lavender and, subsequently, the most researched.

It exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the synthesis of four major pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-β and TNFα). Anti-inflammation effects increase blood circulation to the area, promoting healing, and in case of application to the scalp, it subsequently encourages hair growth and healing.^5,7

Lavender's impact on scalp health

Lavender oil's wide range of active components makes it very effective in cleansing the scalp as they work synergistically to exert their cleansing and antimicrobial properties on the scalp. Their antibacterial and antiviral activities rid the scalp of any present infections, such as dandruff, which may hinder hair growth.

Some say that it also promotes blood circulation to the hair follicle, resulting in more hair growth, less hair loss and breakage; there was a study conducted on female mice that supports the hair growth potential of lavender oil where the results were very positive in confirming the hair growth promoting abilities of lavender oil is a practical setting.²

Another randomised study showed the efficacy of applying a mixture of essential oils, including lavender oil, to the scalp of patients with alopecia areata, and the results showed an improvement in 44% of the participating patients.³

Managing common scalp issues with lavender

Dryness and irritation

Lavender oil is an excellent moisturiser for the face and body. It’s a gentle, light oil that does not clog pores or hair follicles (it is non-comedogenic). Its antimicrobial activity helps remove flakiness and itchiness, maintaining a well-moisturised, clean follicle. 

How to incorporate lavender oil into scalp care routine

Everyone is trying to figure out the best hair-care routine perfectly tailored to their needs and suitable for their hair type. Lavender is an excellent addition if you have any problems addressed and want a natural, effective product to incorporate into your hair treatment journey (the smell and relaxation are also a huge plus). There are a couple of ways to use lavender oil for your hair, but first, make sure that lavender oil does not irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction, as that is sometimes very common with essential oils because of the presence of fragrances.

There are two ways you can incorporate lavender oil into your hair routine:

• Pure lavender oil massages: You can apply lavender oil directly to the scalp, massage it, and leave it for two to three hours before cleaning your scalp correctly with shampoo, or mix it with other oils as a hair oiling mask
• Lavender-infused products from the market

Potential risks and considerations

• Consult with your dermatologist or healthcare provider before incorporating a new product into your hair or skin routine to avoid extreme reactions or contraindications, especially if you have a history of allergies or sensitive skin
• It’s suggested and preferable to dilute lavender oil before applying it to the hair or skin; the optimal dilution for adults is 1%-2%. You can dilute lavender oil with another carrier oil, such as coconut, jojoba, or olive oil, which are less likely to cause irritation and sensitivity reactions. An easy way to make a 2% essential oil dilution is by adding 12 drops of the oil to every 30 mL of a carrier oil, lotion, or body butter of your choosing⁶

Summary

Lavender oil is versatile and has been used for centuries for various reasons, such as its calming, medicinal, and cosmetic properties. There are records of ancient civilisations. Lavender oil contains a wide variety of beneficial compounds that make it a very desirable product.

Linalool and linalyl acetate are the significant components of lavender oil. Linalool is mainly responsible for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. At the same time, linalyl acetate gives the relaxing and soothing effect of lavender and gives it its signature scent.

Other components, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, are superb antioxidants and contribute to the healing abilities of lavender. Studies on lavender and its active ingredients confirmed the efficacy of using lavender oil to promote healthy scalp and hair growth in a practical setting. Lavender is excellent for moisturising a dry scalp, and its cleansing effect is evident in clearing dandruff and limiting other microbial activities in the scalp.

Incorporating lavender oil into your hair care routine is a great natural way to achieve a healthy scalp, resulting in healthy hair and growth; its relaxing properties and pleasant odour also contribute to an overall positive experience. It’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider if you are susceptible to allergies and sensitivity reactions before using lavender oil, as essential oils can be irritating.