Hair loss, commonly triggered by stress, hormonal imbalances, or genetic factors, affects millions globally and carries both cosmetic and psychological burdens. With consumer interest growing in natural and gentle alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments, essential oils like lavender and peppermint have drawn scientific attention. Two controlled studies on mice investigated the topical application of these oils and measured biological markers and visible outcomes to assess efficacy.

In the lavender oil (LO) study, mice were treated with either 3% or 5% LO, minoxidil, jojoba oil, or saline for four weeks. The LO-treated groups showed 90–95% hair regrowth, compared to 99.8% in the minoxidil group and significantly higher than controls. Histological analysis confirmed an increase in hair follicle number, depth, and dermal thickness, alongside a notable reduction in mast cell counts, suggesting delayed transition to the hair-loss catagen phase (Lee et al., 2015). Importantly, lavender oil did not significantly alter spleen or thymus weights, hinting at a favorable safety profile.

The peppermint oil (PEO) study followed a similar design and found 92% hair regrowth in PEO-treated mice, surpassing the 55% seen with minoxidil. PEO also led to increased dermal thickness, follicle count, and follicle depth, and boosted two critical biomarkers: alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and IGF-1 gene expression, which support follicular blood flow and cellular growth (Oh et al., 2014). No toxicity signs or weight changes were observed, underscoring its potential as a safe topical option.

These findings suggest that both oils stimulate the anagen (growth) phase of hair and may do so through anti-inflammatory and vascular-enhancing mechanisms. While results are promising, they are limited to animal models.