Lavender is the amalgamation of indigo and lilac colors and smells heavenly. Popular for its medicinal properties, lavender is utilized in a variety of ways like scented candles, diffusers, sprays.
It is also known to be an effective sleeping aid. However, that is not all there is to lavender. It also extremely beneficial for hair and skin.
Utilized in the form of oil, lavender is oil is categorized as an essential oil. It is extracted from the aromatic parts of the plant and is rather potent. For use on skin or hair, it then needs to be mixed with a carrier oil like almond, coconut oils etc.
There are various benefits of lavender oil, however, you should always first patch test. Try to apply a little to the neck and wait for a day. If redness, swelling, or irritation occur at the spot, cease its use. Moreover, if you are already using regimen advised by your dermatologist, you must consult them via oladoc.com if you can supplement it with lavender oil as many problems arise due to internal issues like hormone imbalance, and topical treatments then fail to address the issue.
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Benefits of lavender oil
The benefits of lavender oil are contingent of the way it is consumed. It can be applied topically for benefitting the skin. It can also be inhaled to stimulate the sensory neurons. Similarly, it can also be orally consumed as well.
In this article, we will focus on the topical benefits of lavender oil.
Antioxidants
Unbeknownst to us, our environment does much damage to our skin, especially for those living in areas with high air pollution. Toxins and free radicals that are also part of our environment have a grave impact on the health of the skin.
Leading to oxidative stress, free radicals damage the healthy cells, and in extreme cases, may also cause cancer.
As an antioxidant, lavender oil helps in preventing this damage to the skin. It neutralizes the free radicals and protects the skin from environmental pollution as well.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation can cause problems not just within the body, but can also irritate the skin, and aggravate cases of acne and eczema as well. One of the reasons for greater inflammation is stress.
Lavender oil helps in calming the body, and therefore, helps in abating the inflammation caused due to anxiety and depression.
Antimicrobial properties
Another benefit of lavender oil for the skin is its antimicrobial property. Our skin and scalp suffer from problems like acne and dandruff on account of the action of the microbes. Lavender oil is an antimicrobe, and therefore, protects the skin and scalp against the problems posed by the pesky microbes. It also then soothes the skin as well.
Destresses
We do tend to underestimate the power of stress. From disturbing the mental health, to increasing the risk of heart disease, the impact of stress on the body is very potent. It can also exacerbate skin conditions like acne as well.
Lavender oil, on the other hand, helps in destressing. It has a calming effect on the body, that then eases anxiety and stress. Alongside mental peace, it also then soothes the skin.
One excellent way to destress is by massage. The action also then promotes blood supply to the skin, invigorating the skin cells.
Hair growth
New research has surfaced that has pointed to the efficacy of lavender oil for treating hair loss and thinning. One way it promote hair growth is by promoting a healthy scalp. As it treats inflammation, targets microbes, and soothes the skin, it makes the scalp conditions conducive to hair growth.
Moreover, lavender oil also has ingredient that is also found in Minoxidil, a common hair growth aide. However, you should not discontinue the treatment for hair problems prescribed by Dermatologist in Karachi just because you’re using the oil; consult your doctor first!