Can You Use Vicks Vapor Rub For Hair Growth? Some Say It Works

Okay, so wait…say what now?

So we’ve seen our fair share of non-traditional beauty trends for hair that go from simple to just down right weird. Some women use something simple as mango juice on their scalp to Monistat vaginal cream in order help their hair grow. But when we started hearing about a number of Black women using Vicks VapoRub for hair growth!

The same Vick’s that your mama would slather on your chest at night when you were a child to get rid of your chest cold.

The same Vick’s that you would put on your upper lip to start making your nose run when it was stuffed up.

The same Vick’s that smelled like the old-folks home where Big Mama’s friends used to live and she’d take you with her to go visit.

Yes, THAT Vick’s.

When we read that Black women were using it–some are putting it straight on their scalp, others mixing it with their favorite hair grease or pomade. So we had to go find some receipts to see if it really worked.

A quick Google search of “Vicks VapoRub hair” and over 500,000 results show up, including 35,000 YouTube video.

One particular video touting Vick’s magical hair growth properties was posted by Mesha on her MakeupMeisha youtube channel (see video below).

What’s In Vick’s Vapor Rub to Help Hair Grow?

So what’s in Vick’s vapor rub that might make it stimulate hair growth?

Eucalyptus – an essential oil that stimulates hair follicles and prevents dandruff and an itchy scalp. The oil also strengthens and improves the elasticity of hair, and controls an oily scalp.

Camphor – is an essential oil that is cooling, refreshing, and improves circulation when applied topically.

Lavender – an essential oil that also improves circulation and is very effective in the treatment of hair loss (especially alopecia).

Menthol – clears the pores of irritants so that hair can grow easily. You can find menthol in a lot of shampoos and conditioners.

With all of these powerful ingredients, it’s no wonder Vicks is being used for more than draining a runny nose or get rid of a chest cold. Not only are women applying the ointment to their scalps, they are applying it to their eyebrows as well.

Now, we need to issue a warning to those who try to apply it close to their eyes: be sure to keep it clear of your eyes and any sweat or body fluid that may roll down and get into your eye. It can cause irritation or worse.

Other users in the comments claimed that after one week of use, they saw at least an inch of growth.

One particular video by Martin EllaB shares her love for Vick’s

“When I tell you, I didn’t have any type of edges and stuff, I went through my stages of lace wigs, but now my edges have been doing wonderfully. I’m telling y’all! This will grow your edges. Y’all ain’t got no edges? Get this. I’m just letting you know it’s working for me.”

Step-by-Step Guide for Use Vicks on Your Edges

To use Vicks Vapor Rub for regrowing hair edges, you will need to follow these simple steps:

1, Wash your hair and scalp thoroughly.
2. Apply a small amount of Vicks Vapor Rub to your fingertips and massage into your hair edges.
3. Cover the hair edges with a shower cap or cloth and leave on for at least 30 minutes.
4. Rinse the Vicks Vapor Rub out of your hair with lukewarm water.
5. Repeat this process 2-3 times a week.

How to Maximize Results:
While using Vicks Vapor Rub on hair edges can be a great start, it’s also important to focus on other factors that can impact hair growth. This includes:

Eating a healthy and balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Managing stress levels through exercise, relaxation techniques, or other means.

Managing stress levels through exercise, relaxation techniques, or other means.

Concerned You Should Think About When Using Vicks on your Scalp

Scalp irritation: The strong ingredients in Vicks can irritate sensitive scalps, causing redness, itching, or burning.

No proven efficacy: No scientific research confirms that applying Vicks to the scalp directly stimulates hair follicles and promotes new hair growth.

Unpleasant smell: The strong scent of Vicks can be noticeable and bothersome.

If you are Concerned About Hair Loss, What Should You Do?

Consult a dermatologist:
They can diagnose the cause of your hair loss and recommend appropriate treatments, including prescription medications or topical solutions clinically proven to be effective.

Consider lifestyle changes:
A healthy diet, stress management, and proper hair care practices can contribute to healthy hair growth.