Does peppermint help grow new hair or does it just give a cooling sensation?

When we use a product with peppermint or menthol, we immediately feel a cooling sensation, as if the scalp were "breathing" or cooling down.

This sensation has an explanation: menthol activates nerve receptors called TRPM8. These receptors are normally activated when we feel cold (for example, when touching ice or being in a cool environment). When menthol is applied, a similar sensation is produced without the body’s temperature actually dropping.

This effect is completely normal and does not, by itself, mean that hair is growing or healing. It’s simply a nervous response that gives us a pleasant, refreshing feeling.

What Happens on the Scalp?

The scalp doesn’t just hold the hair in place: it’s a zone rich in blood vessels, nerves, and sebaceous glands (which produce natural oil). Over a lifetime, several conditions can affect it.

Some people have dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis (an inflammation accompanied by redness and flaking), psoriasis (an autoimmune disease that produces thick plaques), or fungal infections. All of these conditions can influence scalp health and, in some cases, contribute to hair loss.

In addition, there’s alopecia, the general term for hair loss. There are different types: androgenic alopecia (linked to hormonal and genetic factors, common in both men and women), alopecia areata (autoimmune in origin), and others caused by stress, nutritional deficiencies, or even certain medications. The scalp may appear healthy on the outside but still be undergoing internal imbalances that affect the natural hair cycle.

What Does It Mean When Something "Regenerates" Hair?

The word “regenerate” sounds powerful. Many brands use terms like “stimulates,” “revitalizes,” or “activates” hair growth. These words don’t always refer to true follicle regeneration (the structure under the skin that produces the hair), but rather to visual or sensory effects: more shine, volume, or the mentioned freshness.

But hair growth is a biological process with clear stages.

Each hair goes through a cycle with three main phases: the anagen phase (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (rest or shedding).

When we talk about “regenerating” hair from a scientific point of view, it should mean that a treatment helps more follicles enter the anagen phase or that inactive follicles are reactivated.

A clear example of this difference is the case of minoxidil. This medication was discovered by accident: it was used to treat high blood pressure, but patients noticed that their hair grew more.

From there, studies began with people using the product on their scalp.

Several clinical trials confirmed that minoxidil can help extend the hair’s growth phase and keep follicles active longer. Thanks to this evidence, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved its use as a treatment for hair loss. This shows us that to claim something helps with hair growth, we need studies in people, measured results over time, and a clear effect beyond subjective sensation.

What Science Says About Peppermint and Hair Growth

One of the most cited studies on this topic was conducted in South Korea in 2014.

Researchers in Korea (Oh, Park and Kim, 2014) applied 3% peppermint oil diluted in jojoba oil to the shaved backs of male mice for four weeks. There were four groups of 11 mice: saline, jojoba oil alone, 3% minoxidil, and 3% peppermint oil. The paper did not report skin irritation in the mice.

What did they observe?

That the group treated with peppermint showed an increase in dermal (skin) thickness, follicle number and follicle depth. Blood flow was not measured.

Now, how reliable is this result? Several points must be considered. First, it was a study in mice, not humans. Second, the effects were measured over four weeks, a short period if we consider the human hair growth cycle. And third, the oil was used at 3%, diluted in jojoba oil, on shaved mouse skin, which is different from how most cosmetic products are made and used.

While it’s an interesting study that suggests a possible effect, it doesn’t prove that peppermint makes hair grow in humans. So far, there is not enough solid scientific evidence in humans to show that peppermint alone regenerates follicles or stops hair loss.

Many People Associate That Sensation with “Cleanliness,” “Activity,” or “Effectiveness,” Even if There’s No Real Change in Hair Growth

Menthol gives a cooling feeling that some people find comfortable. Whether peppermint relieves scalp itch has not been shown in trials, and peppermint oil can itself cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis (NCCIH; Warshaw et al., 2025).

It’s important not to confuse that feeling with a regenerating effect.

Differences Between Feeling Freshness and Stimulating Growth

Feeling freshness is a nervous system response. Stimulating hair growth, on the other hand, means influencing deep cellular processes. For something to really help with growth, it must be absorbed through the skin, reach the follicle, and trigger a reaction that keeps that follicle active longer.

There’s nothing wrong with using products with peppermint if you enjoy their scent or the sensation they leave. But it’s key to know that, at least for now, there’s not enough evidence to claim that they “stimulate growth” in a medical or biological sense.

User Experiences

Community feedback on peppermint oil for hair growth shows a mix of interest, experimentation, and cautious optimism.

In one highly engaged post, a user highlighted a study showing that 3% peppermint oil outperformed minoxidil in mice for hair regrowth. This sparked debate, with some users skeptical about extrapolating animal data to humans, but others found it promising and began experimenting with DIY solutions. One user mentioned mixing peppermint oil with rosemary and coconut oil along with crushed minoxidil tablets to create a topical treatment, asking others for input on optimal ratios and safety precautions. Crushing prescription tablets into a home mixture gives an unknown and uneven dose and is not a recognised way to use minoxidil; do not do it without a prescriber.

Another thread directly asked the community if anyone had seen real results using peppermint oil or similar natural oils. Responses were mixed—some users reported anecdotal evidence of improved hair thickness or faster regrowth, while others said they noticed only the cooling effect with no visible change. A few users emphasized that peppermint oil should be properly diluted with a carrier oil to avoid irritation and that it might work best when combined with other treatments like microneedling or finasteride.

In older discussions, one user claimed that peppermint oil worked “2x as well as Rogaine” for them when used consistently. However, another pointed out that while the cooling sensation is immediate, any growth benefit likely takes weeks and is hard to isolate unless used in a controlled regimen. A few people also noted that peppermint might reduce DHT and inflammation, making it potentially helpful for androgenic alopecia, though this remains theoretical in human use.

A 2020 post speculated that peppermint oil might reduce scalp testosterone and DHT levels, referencing peppermint’s potential anti-androgenic properties. Users in that thread showed interest but wanted more human studies before relying on it as a primary treatment. Many seemed to agree that it is at most a complementary option, not a substitute for treatments with clinical evidence such as finasteride or minoxidil. Community opinion is not evidence of safety: diluted peppermint oil can still irritate the skin.

Conclusion: Does Using Peppermint on Hair Help?

Peppermint gives the scalp a cooling, fresh feeling. There is no human evidence that it grows new hair or treats alopecia, and whether it relieves itch or oiliness has not been tested in trials.

Safety: peppermint oil applied to the skin can cause rashes and irritation. It should not be applied to the face of infants or young children, because serious side effects can occur if they inhale the menthol (NCCIH). Essential oils should never be swallowed; if someone swallows one, contact a poison centre right away (Poison Control). Keep bottles locked away from children and pets. Peppermint oil is among the essential oils known to poison cats, which can absorb it through the skin, swallow it while grooming, or react to inhaling it (Pet Poison Helpline).

References

Oh, J. Y., Park, M. A., & Kim, Y. C. (2014). Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicological Research, 30(4), 297–304. PMID: 25584150. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297

Warshaw, E. M., et al. (2025). Patch testing to Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group experience (2009–2020). Dermatitis, 36(1), 46–52. PMID: 39172635. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39172635/

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Peppermint Oil: Usefulness and Safety. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/peppermint-oil

Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center). Essential oils: Poisonous when misused. https://www.poison.org/articles/essential-oils

Pet Poison Helpline. Essential Oils and Cats. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/essential-oils-cats/