The alternative treatment line of aromatherapy is finding favor with more and more people when it comes to treating alopecia areata. The condition tends to affect children the most so naturally, there is a concern when it comes to using conventional strong medications which could potentially come with side effects that are totally unwelcome.
Not to mention the fact that the results might not be absolutely positive. Which is perhaps why more and more parents are looking outside of the conventional lines of treatment when it comes to their children.
There is an increasing interest in aromatherapy as studies seem to be showing that a mixture of essential oils rubbed on the scalp tends to stimulate re-growth. This is done essentially by stimulating the hair follicles so that the hair starts growing again. How does this happen? The massaging action together with the oil tends to dilate the capillaries and the blood circulation increases, which in turn nourishes the hair follicles with nutrients and energy, making the hair grow again.
Some Scottish dermatologists conducted a study so they could see how a mixture of aromatherapy oils affected children with alopecia areata. What they did was to blend the essential oils of rosemary, thyme, lavender and cedar wood into jojoba and grapeseed. They then massaged it into the affected scalps. This blend seemed to have better results than just a jojoba-grapeseed mixture. Not only was it effective, it was safe as well.
However, as a parent you must be warned not to ever do it yourself when it comes to blends of essential oils. This is because natural does not mean that it is safe. It has to be used with discretion and by people who have the knowledge and who are qualified. All the more reason not to fool around with essential oils which are highly concentrated. This is best left to the ones who know and no experiments should be tried on children.
With most essential oils, while they enjoy the privilege and goodness of being natural, they must be diluted when used on children. The dilution is usually done in what are known as base oils before anything is applied to a child’s skin and this is especially so if the child is very young because the skin is so sensitive. You must consider how young the child is, as well as his health conditions and the sensitivity of his skin. The oils of choice to dilute these in would be sweet almond oil or hazelnut oil and just in case the child has an allergy, then olive oil.
When it is a very young child, there are scalp aromatherapy formulations available which are totally safe for use and the oils used in these are lavender oil and Roman chamomile which are very good when it comes to diseases of the scalp. These oils are also soothing and massaging them in can be a wonderful time of bonding for both the parent and the child. Somehow a massage brings out feelings of nurturing and love and it especially is useful at times when the loss of hair can produce rather traumatic feelings.
Once the child is older, you could add other essential oils as well like grapefruit, basil, marjoram, geranium and frankincense. All you have to do is to ensure that the dilution levels are proper and safe. This is the reason it is always better to go to an expert to get these formulated.
Though we have told you about the need to be careful when using essential oils, rest assured that it is an effective as well as a safe line of treatment. As long as it is used well and according to the specified guidelines, aromatherapy for alopecia areata is probably the best treatment you could follow. Going to a trained aromatherapist for the oil will be the best advice we could give you.