Is Vicks Vaporub Good For Hair Growth: Strange New Remedy? Or Good Idea?

January 23, 2024

Wondering is Vicks vaporub good for hair growth? Here we break down the benefits and effects of vaporub on our hair. Check it out!

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I am well aware of Vicks VapoRub, we know that it is one of the most commonly found ointments in every household. Vicks VapoRub is known to help relieve pain and reduce joints and muscle pain. It is commonly used as a balm to apply on a chest to help fight cough or cold.

However, it has been found that this product helps to stimulate hair growth and also help with hair thinning properties. Why? Well, some of the commonly found ingredients in Vicks VapoRub are menthol, essential oils such as lavender, camphor, Eucalyptus oil.

Is VapoRub Good For Hair Growth?

In order to understand if Vicks VapoRub is good for hair growth, I asked our medical reviewer Dr Bhavika, about the essential ingredients which are the components of Vicks and how does it help in stimulating hair growth. This is what she had to say:

The vapour rub gained popularity via youtube videos where bloggers ad influencers went all out to prove its uses in hair growth. According to Dr Bhavika:

:There is not 100% assurance on if Vicks VapoRub does help with hair grows but what we do understand is that it helps promote health in a roundabout way.” (Paul, Ian M. “Vicks VapoRub study: incomplete case report and misleading publicity.” Chest vol. 136,2 (2009): 650; author reply 650-1. doi:10.1378/chest.09-0324)

Thus, you might want to go to the pros and cons of whether you should use Vicks VapoRub for hair. She also says that, “We would also like to include that it is not recommended for sensitive scalp if you have a sensitive scalp please use a diluted form of Vicks VapoRub, you can use it with your favourite essential oils (like peppermint oil) or other oils as bases and not use Vicks VapoRub directly to the scalp.“

She also adds that “An important point to keep in mind is, we do not recommend you to leave Vicks VapoRub in your hair overnight, what you can do instead is apply it and let it stay in your hair for about 20 to 30 minutes post which you can wash your hair off with a mild shampoo.”

“You can use Vicks VapoRub in your hair bout twice or thrice a month. Do not overdo the recommended dosage.“

Vicks VapoRub is also petroleum jelly so you might want to check your sensitivity and allergic reactions to that as well before you use it as a part of your hair care routine.

As part of our research, Dr Bhavika also says that “we have also found that camphor, eucalyptus oil, menthol helps to promote hair health but the components are not in their purest form and therefore needs proper analyses if you should go ahead with it.” This read will help you make better analyses and help you conclude your decision.”

Ingredients In Vicks Vaporub

As was mentioned above the active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub let us understand its uses:

Camphor

Camphor is naturally extracted and is widely used in India. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Camphor is used in vapour up as a component that helps to relieve chest congestion or headache.

It is also known for its properties like it helps to cool and calm irritated skin or scalp. It is known for helping in proper blood circulation.

You should be aware of the quantity of camphor been used in Vicks VapoRub, as this would determine its emphasis on the scalp.

Lavender

Another important ingredient that is present in Vicks VapoRub is lavender.

Lavender is an essential oil. It is highly effective on the skin and helps to function in the treatment of hair loss. Helps promote hair growth, even when there is a bald hairline situation it promotes hair growth.

Menthol

Menthol is known for its therapeutic and calming properties. It helps to penetrate deep into the hair shaft and promotes hair growth. It is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties so it helps to keep the scalp healthy.

Eucalyptus oil

Another important Essential oil that is found in Vicks VapoRub is the Eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil helps in stimulating hair growth, it penetrates deep into the hair follicles and promotes blood circulation. It helps by adding more volume to the hair.

Also, it helps to keep the scalp healthy free from bacterial and fungal infections.

Since Vicks VapoRub is composed of all these ingredients it serves as a component that promotes hair growth.

It was a very recent phenomenon that Vicks VapoRub became popular among the bloggers and everybody started talking about how to use Vicks VapoRub can help in hair growth. Thus it has been used for years in the beauty industry, and now we know why because of all the ingredients that make Vicks VapoRub a menthol that promotes hair growth.

Advantages of using Vicks VapoRub for hair growth

VapoRub is known for its therapeutic properties. It helps to relieve stress and headache and also promote blood circulation.

The essential oils present inside the Vicks VapoRub components help to promote blood circulation, reduce hair fall, keep away bacteria and fungus from infecting the scalp and promotes better hair health.

Components such as camphor and menthol are known for their cooling properties, thus helping to keep the scalp healthy.

Lavender and Eucalyptus oil helps in hair growth. If you have irritated or dry skin, be rest assured that the VapoRub will work its magic.

If you fighting bald patches, VapoRub helps to penetrate deep into the root shaft and rejuvenate hair follicles to promote hair growth and as you might see visible differences in change in terms of how your hair is growing.

Vicks VapoRub can be applied topically and therefore does not need other extra ingredients, and can be used as it is.

Side Effects of using Vicks VapoRub for hair growth

If you are using Vicks VapoRub for the first time on your scalp you might want to do a patch test first.

Although there is no scientific proof of whether it works or it does not, going by the popular opinion it does promote at least help in the better the functioning of the scalp which in turn helps hair growth.

If you want you can alter dilute Vicks VapoRub into other components and then applied to your hair to not sleep with Vicks VapoRub on your scalp overnight

It does have a strong smell and therefore it might not be appreciated by many people.

Also, it is a little difficult to get rid of the gel-like component on your scalp, you will have to use a shampoo that has a good fragrance to help overcome the smell.

We are not about the quantity or amount that you can use it on your scalp and thus it would depend on your hair need and length.

The procedure of applying it and washing it might take longer, so you might want to check on your time as well. The fragrance the Vaporub leaves behind might irritate some people.

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How to use Vicks Vaporub for hair growth?

Here are a few ways of how we can use Vicks VapoRub to stimulate hair growth.

By now we are well aware of its therapeutic and cooling properties so we know that if we have a healthy scalp, we are sure to promote hair growth.

We can use Vicks VapoRub directly to the scalp, take some amount of Vicks Vapour rub gently rub it in your hands massage it to your scalp gently and let it sit for some time. You can then wash your hair with mild shampoo and you have well-nourished hair post hair wash.

Before applying it to your scalp just make sure that your scalp is completely clean and it is not affected by bacteria or fungus.

You can also use Vicks VapoRub by mixing it in your favourite oil for example coconut oil. This will help you to meet both the moisturizing and the therapeutic needs of Vicks VapoRub as it has menthol and camphor infused in it.

If your hair becomes very dry and irritated you can use Vicks Vapour rub by gently massaging it to the affected areas and leaving it for some time before you go for hair wash.

You can also use Vicks VapoRub in terms of hair spa makes some amount of Vicks VapoRub with your favourite hair spa ingredient and leave it on for a while before you wash it off.

Vicks VapoRub is known to stimulate but blood circulation, you massage it directly to your scalp it will help to promote better blood circulation and also open up damaged hair follicles and promote hair growth.

The technique which you can use to massage fix the product to get the maximum benefits out of it is, use it on your fingertips and gently use a circular motion to apply evenly on the effective scalp. This will not only help you release all the stress that you have been worked up to but also help in stimulating hair growth.

Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?

The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.

Summary on Using Vicks Vaporub For Hair Growth

Vicks Vaporub, as it turns out, may be a surprisingly useful tool in your haircare arsenal. Its ability to stimulate hair growth, reduce scalp inflammation and even prevent hair loss has been demonstrated in numerous studies.

Its ability to restore scalp moisture and condition the hair are also impressive. While more research is needed to fully ascertain the efficacy of this popular ointment, it is clear that there are many potential benefits to be gained from using this versatile product.

Whether you choose to use Vicks Vaporub as a part of your haircare routine or not, it is clear that this popular over-the-counter remedy should not be neglected for its potential for improved hair growth, health, and quality.

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