Hair loss can be a serious condition with medical repercussions and the ability to affect self-esteem, mental health, and more. Specific underlying medical concerns – such as alopecia, hormone imbalances, and aging – can lead to hair thinning and hair loss. Researchers from both the biochemical field and the cosmetics and hair care industry have been doing extensive research for decades to find natural ingredients with clinically proven effectiveness in minimizing hair loss and promoting hair growth.
Scientific research supports using menthol as a topical solution for hair growth to address these issues. At Divi, we’ve formulated a premier, vegan-friendly Scalp Serum, with menthol as a key ingredient, to promote hair growth, consistency, and overall scalp health. Let’s explore the science behind menthol and how it can help restore your scalp’s health and hair’s beauty.
What Is Menthol?
Menthol has long been used in traditional and modern medicines as a pain reliever (analgesic). Menthol is a vasodilator and a counter-irritant that desensitizes the skin’s sensory receptors.
Menthol (also known as “mint camphor”), an oil extracted from the mint plant (genus Mentha), is a cyclic terpene alcohol acting on the transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) receptor and producing vasodilation. With its cooling properties, it has a weak localized anesthetic effect, although it can irritate the skin in high doses.
Its topical analgesic effect results from its interaction with the nerves at the skin's dermis and epidermis junction. These nerve endings, which are close to the skin's surface, activate inflammatory responses and release vasoactive neuropeptides that send pain signals. After an injury, nerve terminals in the skin release signaling agents to tell the body to produce inflammatory factors that increase pain intensity. Scientists believe topical agents such as menthol can penetrate the outermost skin layer (the stratum corneum) and modify this pain-signaling process.
As a terpenoid, menthol is also antimicrobial and antifungal.
Divi’s Scalp Serum contains menthol and peppermint oil, both of which are derived from the mint plant. The difference is peppermint oil is a botanical extract from the peppermint plant, while menthol is a chemical compound.
Menthol’s Potential for Treating Hair Loss and Promoting Hair Growth as Part of Divi’s Scalp Serum
Scientists consider menthol an effective vasodilator, which encourages hair growth by enabling hair follicles to open. A 2020 study observed whether treating skin cells (keratinocytes) with a combination of tocopherol acetate, L-menthol, and stevioside could affect cell regeneration on mice in vivo. Researchers found that L-menthol alone promotes the proliferation of both dermal papilla cells and cultured human keratinocytes. To cause hair regrowth, it also upregulates genes known to promote hair growth, including:
- Keratin
- Keratin-associated protein
- Forkhead box
- Sonic hedgehog (yes, it’s real!)
- Fibroblast growth factor 10
- Desmoglein 4
- Deoxyribonuclease 1-like 2
- Lim homeobox protein
- Cadherin 3
The following year, a 2021 research study on human clinical trials reported a 6.71% increase in hair proliferation for 18 weeks using a plant-based formulation of sulforaphane (an isothiocyanate isolated from broccoli), L-menthol, and dexpanthenol for participants suffering from androgenic alopecia.
Treating Your Hair and Scalp With Menthol
Some people experience hair loss as a result of vitamin deficiencies. Others may lose hair due to severe conditions like autoimmune diseases. It’s important to understand why we included menthol as part of Divi’s Scalp Serum and other hair care products, such as our Shampoo and Conditioner. Menthol can reinforce hair growth treatments for healthy people, but is certainly not a cure for significant underlying medical conditions.
Menthol for hair growth improves blood circulation and stimulates cutaneous cold receptors in the skin. You can apply our menthol-infused products – Divi’s Shampoo, Conditioner and Scalp Serum – to soothe your scalp and reduce irritation. As you continue regular treatment, you may notice thicker hair growth and reduced shedding.
Many people who apply menthol-infused products on their scalps begin to notice results after four weeks. However, depending on your genetics and medical conditions, it may take longer. Here at Divi, we recommend using our products for 90 days to see the positive effects on your scalp and hair.
Menthol will not cure conditions like male-pattern baldness or reduce the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) able to cause hair loss. Nevertheless, regular use of menthol-infused Divi products such as our Scalp Serum can treat symptoms of hair loss and perhaps trigger some hair growth by:
- Reducing dryness and redness
- Improving the appearance of hair thickness and color
- Adding shine to your hair
- Energizing the scalp by supporting natural cell renewal
- Enabling hair proliferation
How Menthol Soothes Your Skin
Cutaneous receptors in our skin send messages to the brain when we feel pressure, pain and temperature. Certain skin disorders, like eczema, may cause these sensory receptors to fire off regularly. Menthol is a clean ingredient that cools these receptors and prevents itchiness, pain and discomfort.
Suppose you suffer from skin disorders preventing your hair from growing back or causing it to fall out. Menthol-infused hair care products such as Divi's Scalp Serum could protect your scalp by slowing down shedding.
What Studies Say About Divi’s Scalp Serum Containing Menthol for Hair Growth
We commissioned a third-party research firm to test our menthol-infused Divi's Scalp Serum on men and women during an 8-week, single-blind study. Most subjects, who said they suffer from dry scalp, agreed that the topical application of these products soothed, cooled, and calmed their roots after use.
Additionally, the participants in the study agreed that our Scalp Serum’s hydrating properties caused it to penetrate deeply into their roots without leaving their hair feeling greasy. As you may conclude from the results, our suite of botanical, plant-derived ingredients, including a carefully calibrated dose of menthol, can help restore your hair’s health and beauty. If you suffer from dull, brittle or dry hair, the menthol in our Scalp Serum can help you feel confident about your hair growth.
How To Use Divi’s Scalp Serum Containing Menthol Products
Menthol for hair growth is a safe and clean ingredient that you can apply directly to the scalp in low doses. Our Divi products contain a scientifically calculated allocation of each ingredient, including enough menthol to moisturize the skin and activate follicles quickly, but not so much as to irritate the scalp.
Using Divi’s Scalp Serum couldn’t be easier: simply apply ¾ of a dropper to your scalp every day, massaging it into your skin with your fingers and leaving it to soak in and do its work at the cellular level. Don’t worry if you have bleached or colored hair—Divi’s Scalp Serum with menthol is safe for color-treated hair and even has benefits for bleached or dyed hair.
Potential Side Effects of Menthol Use
Menthol is safe when applied topically in the recommended dose included in Divi’s Scalp Serum and other products. Although quite rare, some people might be hypersensitive to menthol, even in a small amount, resulting in allergic reactions to the ingredient. If you have a menthol allergy, applying it directly to the skin may cause:
- Rash
- Hives
- Blisters
- Peeling skin
- Restricted breathing
- Swelling of the tongue or eyes
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Don’t ingest menthol-infused shampoos or serums. Additionally, keep these products out of your eyes. If you experience any of the above symptoms, stop using menthol-containing products and speak to your doctor.
Which Scalp Symptoms Can Menthol Treat or Reduce?
Menthol’s properties are clinically proven to improve certain hair loss symptoms and skin disorders. However, you must commit to using our Divi's Scalp Serum treatment daily in order to keep symptoms at bay.
Itchy Scalp
Scalp pruritus is a scientific term to describe persistent itchy scalp. This problem may be local to one area of the skin or affect the entire scalp. Unfortunately, scalp pruritus can be challenging to diagnose, so those who manage symptoms don’t always find relief. Studies demonstrate that menthol activates the transient receptor potential melastatin and cools affected areas. Simply put, it may eliminate pruritus and excessive itchiness on the scalp.
Dry Scalp
Itchiness can also result from dry scalp conditions. Conventional shampoo products sometimes dehydrate the skin, restrict hair follicles, and discourage healthy hair growth. A dry scalp can cause embarrassing dandruff and redness near the hairline. Menthol interacts with the lactic acid produced by our skin to moisturize hair and remove flakes.
When you apply Divi’s menthol-infused products to your scalp, you may notice a tingling sensation on your skin. This is the feeling of the ingredients settling into your roots and moisturizing dry areas. Furthermore, antimicrobial properties in menthol attack bacteria and fungi at the source. These properties restore color to your hair and skin while alleviating negative symptoms.
Sensitive Scalp
Abrasive shampoo products can significantly damage your hair and cause painful skin irritation. It may be worth exploring alternative solutions if you have a sensitive scalp. Menthol is one of the most beneficial ingredients for soothing painful scalp symptoms. Those who use our menthol-infused Scalp Serum say they can feel their follicles open up and breathe. Refreshing your scalp with menthol for hair regrowth can enable your hair to grow longer and healthier.
Other Ingredients Divi Uses With Menthol in Our Scalp Serum for Hair Growth
By now, it should be clear that incorporating menthol into a formula for hair growth is a great way to cool your scalp and encourage healthier, thicker hair. You will experience even better results by pairing this ingredient with others so that all ingredients can work in synergy.
Divi's Scalp Serum contains amino acid, peptide and botanical ingredients in a practical, dermatologist-reviewed hair care product. Let’s look at how other ingredients in our Scalp Serum can contribute to maximizing your hair growth potential.
Copper Tripeptide-1
Some studies support the claim that peptides supply oxygen and nutrient-dense blood to hair follicles. Specifically, copper tripeptide-1 may produce enough melanin to maintain your hair color longer as you age.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil contains herbicidal and antifungal properties, among others. Alone, it can treat symptoms of itchy and dry scalp. Together with menthol and other ingredients in our Scalp Serum, water-diluted eucalyptus oil can provide quick relief against aggressive irritation and promote hair growth. Additionally, this ingredient can eliminate parasites that may harm the health of your hair.
Rosemary Leaf Extract
Divi's Scalp Serum uses a lipid from rosemary leaves to encourage cellular growth in and around the follicles. Some studies suggest rosemary oil can achieve similar results to other hair growth medications without dangerous side effects. The properties of menthol, in combination with rosemary leaf extract, protect your scalp while cells generate around the affected area.
Green Tea Leaf Extract
Green tea protects the body in many ways. First, it helps shield the body from cancer and overactive androgens like DHT. Second, clinical studies suggest the epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in green tea leaf extract can extend hair growth and slow shedding.
Divi's Scalp Serum Solution
Why wait to restore the appearance of beautiful hair? At Divi, we pride ourselves on developing a Scalp Serum capable of soothing the scalp, combating hair thinning, and promoting fuller, longer hair. Our scientific product development team measures every ingredient in our formula with meticulous detail so you can enjoy a safe and clean product. Try Divi’s Scalp Serum today!
